2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Power Train Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Sep 27, 2026 · 90 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 90 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz, 49% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 10,200 miles. The words owners use most often: “able pull” (9% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Able pull: mentioned in 8 of 90 complaints (9%)
  • Unable accelerate: mentioned in 5 of 90 complaints (6%)
  • Lose power: mentioned in 5 of 90 complaints (6%)

At what mileage do power train problems happen?

Based on 11 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles5 · 45%
10k–25k miles2 · 18%
25k–50k miles2 · 18%
50k–75k miles1 · 9%
75k–100k miles0 · 0%
100k–150k miles0 · 0%
150k+ miles1 · 9%

How serious are the reports?

Of 90 complaints, 1 mention a crash.

Hyundai Santa Cruz power train complaints by model year

Peak: 2022, with 90 complaints
2022: 902022902023: 252023252024: 112024112026: 220262

n = 128 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearPower Train complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2026 Santa Cruz240%—
2024 Santa Cruz1131%220
2023 Santa Cruz2532%4,000
2022 Santa Cruz9049%10,200

When owners reported it

Peak: 2022, with 45 complaints
2022: 452022452023: 272023272024: 6202462025: 5202552026: 720267

n = 90 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (1)

Power train:automatic transmissionOct 6, 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V746000 · 56,148 vehicles

Problem: 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 result in a complete loss of drive power.

Risk: Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission, as necessary. Dealers will also update the transmission control unit software. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 236.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

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…

Received Sep 9, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11763142

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.

Received Aug 10, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11755857

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

Received Aug 4, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11754830
Hyundai Santa Cruz
2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz XRT (United States) front view Production: 2021 - Engine: 2,5 litre turbo R4 (petrol) Power: 281 PS Gearbox: 8 speed DKG Layout: front e. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Charles, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruzs have power train problems?

No. NHTSA has 90 owner complaints about power train for the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz (49% of the 185 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz power train?

Yes: 1 safety recall list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

At what mileage do power train problems start?

The median reported mileage is 10,200 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.

What do owners say about power train problems on the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz?

The most frequent phrase is “able pull”, in 8 of 90 complaints, followed by “unable accelerate” (5).

Other 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz problems

See all 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz problems or power train problems across all Santa Cruz years.