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2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz power train problems

91 owner reports1 crashes

This is a safety-related system. If you notice symptoms, stop driving and have it inspected.

Related recalls

  • 22V746000 · Power Train › Automatic Transmission

    Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe, Sonata, Veloster N, 2022 Santa Cruz, Elantra N, and Kona N vehicles. The vehicle's "fail-safe" limited-mobility drive mode may be impaired, when prompted by a transmission oil pump malfunction, which can re…

Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

  • “Vehicle intermittently drops into a “Limp Mode” while driving. Speed becomes restricted at 20 mph and engine RPM locks at 2000 RPM. Cannot accelerate when pressing on gas pedal. No engine lights come on when this occurs. Turning ignition off and restarting temporarily resets the computer and clears speed cap. Has happened 4 times since purchased. Has strong coolant smell and occasionally rotten egg smell. This is a safety hazard! Dealership has offered no solution other than if it happens again …”

    NHTSA complaint · filed 11/05/2026

  • “In approximately late 2024, at just under 30,000 miles, the vehicle lost motive power while driving on the interstate. Multiple warning lights illuminated and the vehicle lost drive shortly afterward, leaving me unable to accelerate in traffic. The vehicle was then serviced under Recall 236 (NHTSA 22V-746) for the 8-speed dual-clutch transmission high-pressure oil pump. The remedy performed was a transmission control unit software update only; the transmission was not replaced. I do not have the…”

    NHTSA complaint · filed 09/09/2026

  • “The cars transmission has become very jerky at low speeds. The drive train will either hesitate or rev without power for a couple seconds. The problem started at around 14k miles.”

    NHTSA complaint · filed 08/10/2026

  • “The transmission failed. The dealership computer identified the failure with Safety Recall 236.”

    NHTSA complaint · filed 08/04/2026

  • “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 Third instance of my engine sputtering and losing power. The first instance, injectors 2 & 4 were replaced. The second instance Injector 3 was replaced. I followed dealer recommendations and only used top tier gas from …”

    NHTSA complaint · filed 06/05/2026

  • “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 intended. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact then had the vehicle towed to another dealer where they informed her there…”

    NHTSA complaint · filed 06/01/2026

  • “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.”

    NHTSA complaint · filed 04/24/2026

  • “"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 shuddering and noise so severe I believed I had multiple flat tires simultaneously — specifically both front and rear passenger side tires. I immediately activated hazard lights and exited the highway. I was unable to safely oper…”

    NHTSA complaint · filed 03/26/2026

Unverified owner reports from NHTSA's public complaint database.

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How common are 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz power train problems?
91 owners reported power train issues to NHTSA for the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz, 1 involving a crash. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Is there a recall for 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz power train problems?
Yes — campaign 22V746000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

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