Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V760000 (Power Train); the VIN was included, but the vehicle was already repaired in 2022. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 63,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle independently started to decelerate. The contact stated that unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to enter a parking lot before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with a seized engine. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V746000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and failed to shift into gear. The contact was able to pull over and restart the vehicle. The "Stop Vehicle Immediately" message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 10,200.
Hyundia Santa Cruz was purchased Aug of 2021 and it has 5,655 miles on it. After making a stop, sometimes the Santa Cruz does not want to accelerate when pressing down on the accelerator pedal. While pushing more on the accelerator pedal to make the vehicle move, after a second or three elapses while still pressing on the accelerator will cause the vehicle to suddenly lurch forward at a rate of speed too fast and I have to immediately slam on the brakes to regain control of the forward motion of the vehicle to avoid hitting the vehicle in front of me. I took the vehicle to a dealership today (9/16/22). No codes or errors were found by computer check or by a technician driving the vehicle. Dealer comment on the paperwork "Unable to verify concern at this time". Next comment on paperwork, "There is a software update that will remedy this concern". …
Took 2022 Santa Cruz Limited in for an oil change and tire rotation at Grayson Hyundai in West Knoxville, TN, 11-2-22, on the way home smelled burning oil. Found that the dip stick was out of the engine block and oil sprayed all over the interior of the engine compartment, underside components, underside shield, wheel wells, brake caliper, etc when I got home (85 miles away from dealership). I took pics off the engine compartment and dip stick that was left out before they towed it to the dealership. Contacted service adviser, they towed it back and provided loaner. They said, "it lost no oil" and was still full. They said they would remove all the oil from the engine compartment and figure out what the issue was. …
"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 operate the vehicle. Other drivers on the highway were also put at risk by my sudden need to exit. The dealer has NOT been able to reproduce or confirm the transmission issue despite multiple documented visits over the past year. However, AutoZone confirmed diagnostic code P0304 Cylinder 4 Misfire Detected on March 19, 2026 via OBD-II scan. …
October 2025 while driving the vehicle at highway speeds, vehicle started bucking, losing power and then stalled. The check engine light did not come on. I was able to get off the side of the road and had it towed to the dealer. Dealer found injectors to be leaking and replaced all 4 GDI fuel injectors-mileage was 29,598. On July 1, 2026, again the same issue while driving the vehicle at highway speeds, it started bucking, losing power and stalling when slowed. This time the check engine light came on. Again, it was undrivable and had to be towed to the dealer. Dealer found after 15,000 miles, some of the new injectors failed and were leaking and all 4 GDI injectors were replaced again-mileage 44,492. Both times there was no warning signs that the fuel injectors were about to fail. No other tests were performed on the engine to find out why the fuel injectors are repeatedly failing. …
I was driving on the highway (55mph) with my two children in the backseat. My vehicle started slowing down quickly even with my foot on the gas. There was no warning, no lights on the dash lit up warning me there was anything wrong with the car. The rpm's we're going up but it was like there was no power to the car. I got off the highway onto a side road as fast as I could do I wouldn't get hit. Then I pulled off to the side of the road. I put it in park and turned it off. I tried to turn it back on and it would start. After a second attempt it turned on but was really rough and felt like it would stall. I used blue link to call for a tow truck. Then I called the dealership to tell them since I've only had the car for 9 months. I tried to turn the car back on and the dash said battery discharging due to electrical and it turned off before I could read the last word. …
On 6/22/24 I had issues with my car not picking up speed and shaking while driving a major freeway. The same day I had an issues starting the car. When it finally started the engine light came on with a notice on my screen. Dealership replaced fuel injector. Stating that was the problem. Again, on 7/27/24 the same issues happened. Another fuel injector replaced by dealship. The car is 2 and half years old, under 30,000 miles. 2 of my fuel injector have been replaced. I do not feel safe for other drivers and myself driving the freeway with the hyundai santa cruz. Due to the fuel injectors that randomly keeps giving out. They replace 1 at a time. I feel like hyundai is waiting for a big accident before they replaced all of them. There are multiple complaints that I have seen regarding this problem. They need to be investigated thoroughly, people's lives are in danger. …
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 stall out. I turned the car off and returned to the interstate with no issues for the rest of my ride (the engine light remained on). On the next trip to the dealership for an appointment to have it checked, I was merging onto the interstate, and again, the car was not responding to me putting on the gas and would not accelerate. Could not push the car over 35MPG, and had to ride to the dealership with the car varying in speed anywhere from almost a complete stop to 30MPH on the berm where I could with flashers, often it felt as if it would stall out. It was a very dangerous & unsafe ride. …
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Oil/lubrication › Pipes, hoses, and fittings
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Santa Fe and Santa Cruz vehicles. The oil supply pipe to the turbocharger may crack, which could result in an oil leak in the engine compartment.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the turbocharger oil supply pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 26, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.
Engine complaints in other Santa Cruz years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
NHTSA has 51 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz, 28% of the model year's 185 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 22V-197 (pipes, hoses, and fittings, Mar 28, 2022). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 25,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.