2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Problems

Notable Issues

Used HYUNDAI SANTA CRUZ shoppers should review this model-year complaint and recall record before making an offer. Based on 174 real NHTSA owner complaints, with Transmission / Drivetrain the most reported area.

older5 years2023

Before you buy

This 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz has 174 NHTSA complaints β€” top issue: Transmission / Drivetrain.

A model-year pattern isn't the car in front of you. Check this exact VIN for accidents, open recalls, odometer rollback, and salvage titles.

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174
Complaints
4
Crashes
1
Fires
4
Injuries
β€”
Fatalities
4
Recalls

2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Fuel Economy

βœ“ EPA Official Data

EPA-rated fuel economy across 3 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.

21
MPG City
19–21 range
27
MPG Hwy
26–27 range
23
MPG Combined
22–23 range
382
g COβ‚‚/mile
Regular Gasoline
⚠️Costs $2,250 more than avg vehicle over 5 years

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 3 trims analysed.

2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Safety Ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Program2 variants tested β€” showing 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz PU/CC AWD

Official crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.

Overall

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated
βœ“Stability Control: Standardβœ“Forward Collision Warning: Standardβ—‹Lane Departure Warning: No

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.

Quick Answer

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz has 174 owner complaints, 4 crash-related complaints, and 4 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Transmission / Drivetrain. NHTSA reliability signal: Notable Issues.

2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz β€” key reliability facts
Make
Hyundai
Model
Santa Cruz
Model year
2022
NHTSA owner complaints
174
Crash-related complaints
4
Safety recall campaigns
4
Top reported component
Transmission / Drivetrain
Reliability signal
Notable Issues
EPA MPG combined
23
EPA MPG city / highway
21 / 27
Fuel type
Regular Gasoline
Electronic stability control
Standard

Common problems

Most common 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz problems

Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.

#1
87
complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Crash-related:1
#2
47
complaints

Engine Problems

#3
34
complaints

Uncategorized Issues

Complaint patterns center on Transmission / Drivetrain, Engine Problems, Uncategorized Issues. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.

Buyer verdict

Should you buy a used 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz?

This HYUNDAI SANTA CRUZ year shows a meaningful number of reported issues, so buyers should only proceed after a careful records review and inspection.

Model-year complaint trends can reveal recurring trouble spots before you spend money on inspections, financing, or repairs.

May Suit

This year may suit buyers who prioritize complete maintenance records and pass a pre-purchase inspection.

May Want to Avoid

Buyers who want a lower-risk ownership profile may prefer comparing nearby model years before committing.

Pre-purchase

What to check before buying a used 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz

Inspection Focus

  • Inspect the most frequently reported complaint components on this model year
  • Confirm recall repairs were completed and documented
  • Check for accident damage, title brands, and mileage inconsistencies on the exact VIN

Before You Close the Deal

  • Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
  • Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
  • Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
  • Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase

Check the exact car

Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.

Before buying a used 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.

AI verdict

What the complaint data suggests

Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology

The HYUNDAI SANTA CRUZ has 174 NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. 4 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Recall context: 4 recall campaigns are on record, so recall completion status should be confirmed on the exact VIN before purchase.

Key Findings
  • 174 total complaints filed with NHTSA
  • 4 federal recall campaigns
  • 4 crash-related complaints on record
Top Concerns
  • Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
  • Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
  • Verify service records for frequently complained components
Data note: NHTSA complaints are consumer-submitted and do not confirm a manufacturing defect Complaint volume is influenced by sales volume β€” popular models naturally accumulate more complaints

Full breakdown

All 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz complaints by category

Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.

ComponentComplaintsCrashesFiresAvg MileageVolume
Transmission / Drivetrain871β€”β€”
Engine Problems47β€”β€”β€”
Uncategorized Issues34β€”β€”β€”
Electrical Faults20β€”β€”β€”
Fuel/Propulsion System19β€”β€”β€”
Unintended Acceleration17β€”β€”β€”
Headlight/Taillight Failures9β€”β€”β€”
Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB7β€”β€”β€”
Lane Departure4β€”β€”β€”
Airbag Malfunctions33β€”β€”
Visibility/Wiper3β€”β€”β€”
Trailer Hitches2β€”1β€”
Visibility2β€”β€”β€”
Brake System2β€”β€”β€”
Back Over Prevention1β€”β€”β€”
Seat Belt Issues11β€”β€”
Fuel System1β€”β€”β€”
Gasoline1β€”β€”β€”
Structural Problems1β€”β€”β€”
Door Lock Issues1β€”β€”β€”
Steering Defects1β€”β€”β€”
Suspension Failures1β€”β€”β€”

Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.

In their words

Real owner complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz. Type a keyword (e.g. β€œtransmission”, β€œstalling”, β€œbrakes”) to filter.

Showing 174 most recent complaints

Transmission / DrivetrainJun 5, 2026

Loss of power from the engine while accelerating from a stop in heavy traffic. Car began shaking and sputtering with intermittent spurts of power, unable to exceed 10 mph on narrow bridge. Pulled over and the vehicle smelled heavily of gasoline near the engine. This issue is the…

Transmission / DrivetrainJun 1, 2026

The contact owns a 2022 HYUNDAI Santa Cruz. The contact stated while driving 74 MPH, while depressing the accelerator pedal the vehicle failed to respond. The contact pulled over to the right side of the road and turned the vehicle off and on and the vehicle began to work as inte…

Transmission / DrivetrainApr 24, 2026

After starting vehicle and shifting to Drive, the vehicle does not want to shift out of 1st gear and only accelerating to 25 to 30 mph. So far the only quick fix is to stop and turn the vehicle off and then restarting.

Transmission / DrivetrainMar 26, 2026

"The 8-speed Dual Clutch Transmission and engine (Cylinder 4) failed on my 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz SEL Premium AWD with 37,780 miles. Both components are available for inspection upon request. While merging onto the highway in Sport Mode, the vehicle experienced violent shudderin…

Airbag Malfunctions CrashDec 16, 2025

The vehicle was involved in a collision in which the airbags failed to deploy. Despite the severity of the impact, no airbags deployed. As a result, both adult occupants (my daughters) were injured. The failure of the airbag system to deploy raises serious safety concerns regard…

Transmission / DrivetrainNov 19, 2025

My 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz has an ongoing powertrain/transmission malfunction that occurs during cold starts. The vehicle will not upshift out of 1st gear and becomes stuck around 25 mph with the accelerator fully pressed. There are no warning lights or messages. The only way to …

Unintended AccelerationNov 7, 2025

ALL SAFETY FEATURE WARNING ALERTS (3) OF THEM, SINCE IT WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO CHECK ALL THAT APPLY THEY ARE THE FOLLOWING ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL NOT WORKING, BLIND SPOT WARNING NOT WORKING, FORWARD COLLISON DETECTION NOT WORKING, LANE DEPARTURE WARNING NOT WORKING, LANE KEEPING …

Transmission / DrivetrainNov 4, 2025

The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Cruz. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power but was unable to accelerate above 30 MPH. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the failure persisted. The check engine warning lig…

Airbag Malfunctions CrashAug 18, 2025

when pulling out on a intersection I was hit by a large box truck on the front and side drivers side at aprox. 20 to 25 mph. my air bags did not go off and my seat belt did not hold me from hitting the steering wheel Hyundai is saying the impact was not enough to force either one…

Transmission / DrivetrainAug 18, 2025

2nd replacement DCT transmission failed Loss of power while driving on the interstate , upon acceleration no increase in speed, went from 65mph to 38mph before able to pull off the highway. Intermittently it is not shifting, shuttering, hard reverse shift, hesitation from par…

Forward Collision Avoidance: AEBAug 11, 2025

The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz. The contact stated that while driving 62 MPH, the Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking system erroneously engaged. The Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking warning light illuminated. A dealer was …

Engine ProblemsAug 11, 2025

Vehicle began running roughly. CEL came on. Began to misfire. Limped it off the FWY under limited power. Had vehicle towed to dealership. Was diagnosed as having bad fuel injectors. Was told by service writer that Hyundai Santa Cruz trucks have been experiencing a lot of injector…

Fuel SystemJul 8, 2025

The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed to pass another vehicle however, the vehicle started to lose motive power. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was ill…

Uncategorized IssuesJul 4, 2025

My 2022 Santa Cruz Limited Edition keeps losing power intermittently. No accident yet but very risky to drive.

Structural ProblemsJun 10, 2025

My tailgate is opening unexpectedly while driving. Hyundai has assured people that the tailgate locks while the vehicle is on and moving but that doesn't seem to be the case. I always check to make sure the tailgate is latched after accessing it, since this has happened several t…

Fuel/Propulsion SystemMay 16, 2025

I purchased my 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz new from Hallmark Hyundai in Tennessee. Ever since the purchase of my Hyundai Santa Cruz I have had issues with fuel injectors. I have had two fuel injector failures that had to be covered under warranty, the last fuel injector that failed u…

Transmission / DrivetrainMay 13, 2025

I was driving on the freeway at 65mph and experienced a sudden loss of power. I depressed the gas pedal but the car would not accelerate past 45 mph. I had to drive all the way home with my hazard lights on. There were no lights on the dashboard to signify a problem. This happene…

Transmission / DrivetrainMay 12, 2025

The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle intermittently lost automotive power. No warning lights were illuminated. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the dealer…

Fuel/Propulsion SystemApr 18, 2025

On multiple occasions the car had trouble starting and while on the road it would idle like it was struggling. My concern was the car dying on me while on the road and causing an accident for myself and the other drivers or pedestrians. The manufacturer hasn't inspected it nor ha…

Unintended AccelerationFeb 28, 2025

On the interstate mid-route, the engine light went on and the car started acting sluggish and slightly shaking on the interstate and would not respond to pressing the gas to accelerate and started to slow down. When I pulled over to the berm it was vibrating as if it was going to…

Page 1 of 9

Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz.

Safety recalls

2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz recalls

4 campaigns

NHTSA recall campaigns for the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz. 4 recall campaigns are on record, so recall completion status should be confirmed on the exact VIN before purchase. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.

Safety recall

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

#22V197000ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER28/03/2022
Safety recall

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

#22V746000POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONJun 10, 2022
Safety recall

STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

#23V038000STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS31/01/2023
Safety recall

TRAILER HITCHES

#23V181000TRAILER HITCHES17/03/2023

Across model years

Compare Hyundai Santa Cruz model years

Compare complaint and recall volume across years to see whether 2022 lands in a lower-risk or higher-risk part of the model timeline.

Research more

Keep researching before you buy

Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.

Questions

2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz buying FAQ

Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.

Is the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz reliable?β–Ύ

Notable Issues. NHTSA currently shows 174 owner complaints, 4 crash-related complaints, and 4 recall campaigns for this model year. This HYUNDAI SANTA CRUZ year shows a meaningful number of reported issues, so buyers should only proceed after a careful records review and inspection. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.

What are the most common problems with the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz?β–Ύ

#1: Transmission / Drivetrain (87 complaints). #2: Engine Problems (47 complaints). #3: Uncategorized Issues (34 complaints)

At what mileage do problems start on the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz?β–Ύ

Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.

How safe is the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz?β–Ύ

Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz, NHTSA complaints include 4 crash-related reports and 1 fire reports out of 174 total complaints. 4 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Does the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz have any recalls?β–Ύ

Yes. 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz. A major recall area is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER. 4 recall campaigns are on record, so recall completion status should be confirmed on the exact VIN before purchase. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.

Should I buy a 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz?β–Ύ

This HYUNDAI SANTA CRUZ year shows a meaningful number of reported issues, so buyers should only proceed after a careful records review and inspection. Model-year complaint trends can reveal recurring trouble spots before you spend money on inspections, financing, or repairs. Pay extra attention to Transmission / Drivetrain during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.

Wider context: See the full Hyundai Santa Cruz reliability report with year-by-year comparison.

Owner Reliability Rating

Rate the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz based on your ownership experience.

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Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.

Before you buy

Check the exact vehicle history before you buy

Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.