Last updated: 2026-10-10

Hyundai Santa Cruz

Hyundai Santa Cruz Years to Avoid

5 scored model years (2022–2026) · model average 68/100

Skip the 2022 model year. Its owners report sudden power loss and transmission failures, with some trucks needing a replacement transmission before 20,000 miles. The 2024 is the year to buy, with far fewer complaints and only one recall.

Verdict

Avoid
2022 57/100
Buy
2024 71/100
Model average
68/100
See years to avoid ↓See best year ↓See all years ranked ↓

Hyundai Santa Cruz Years to Avoid

These model years score significantly below the Hyundai Santa Cruz average of 68/100.

#YearScoreRatingRecallsComplaintsTop Issue
1202257/100Mixed4171Power Train (82)

Why These Years Should Be Avoided

57
MixedReliability score: 57 out of 100, rated Mixed

2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz

Power train trouble dominates, with 82 of 171 complaints. Owners describe the truck losing power while merging, the transmission not shifting, revs climbing with little speed, or limp mode. Dealers often cannot reproduce it. Some trucks got new transmissions before 20,000 miles. Fuel injector misfires and tow hitch wiring fire worries add to the list.

4 recalls171 complaintsEst. repair:

Top issues: Power Train (82), Unknown Or Other (21), Engine (15), Electrical System (14), Exterior Lighting (8), Vehicle Speed Control (6)

View full 2022reliability report →

What Are Common Hyundai Santa Cruz Problems?

POWER TRAIN

116 complaints

Most reported in 2022, 2023, 2024

2022: Sudden loss of power is the main failure, often while merging or speeding up onto a highway.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

27 complaints

Most reported in 2022, 2023, 2025

2022: Stalling and sudden power loss at highway speed come up again and again here, often with no warning light.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

26 complaints

Most reported in 2022, 2024, 2025

2022: Most of these reports describe power cutting in and out.

ENGINE

25 complaints

Most reported in 2022, 2023, 2024

2022: The clearest pattern is misfires and rough running traced to failing fuel injectors.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

11 complaints

Most reported in 2025, 2022

2025: Smart Cruise Control shuts off at highway speed when the in-cabin driver attention camera decides the driver is not watching the road.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

11 complaints

Most reported in 2022, 2023

2022: Weak low beams are the main complaint.

Best Hyundai Santa Cruz Year to Buy Instead

71
GoodReliability score: 71 out of 100, rated Good

2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz

The 2024 drew 30 complaints against 171 for the 2022, and it has one recall against four. Its power train reports are smaller in scale, though some describe slipping into neutral when pulling away. The 2025 and 2026 rate well but have had less time on the road, so they do not count as proven.

Score: 71/100 (Good)1 recalls30 complaints
View full 2024reliability report →
VIN History Report

Found a Safe Year? Check the Specific Car

Even the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz has 1 recall on file. A VIN check confirms the recall work on the exact car and shows its accident, title, and service history.

No VIN? Just hit “Check VIN” to look one up.

  • Accidents
  • Open Recalls
  • Title History
  • Odometer Rollback

All Hyundai Santa Cruz Years by Generation

Hyundai Santa Cruz Reliability Scores by Year

Excellent Good Mixed Risky

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Hyundai Santa-Cruz year should I avoid?
Avoid the 2022. Its owner complaints are far higher than for any later year, and most involve the power train. Reports include sudden power loss on highway on-ramps, a transmission that stops shifting, and replacement transmissions on trucks with under 20,000 miles.
Which Hyundai Santa-Cruz years have transmission problems?
The 2022 has the most, with 82 power train complaints. The 2023 and 2024 also list power train as their top complaint area, but with far fewer reports. The 2024 reports describe a hesitation at low speed when pulling away from a stop.
Is the 2023 Hyundai Santa-Cruz a good year?
It rates good but sits among the two lowest-rated years. It has 73 owner complaints and two recalls, with power train, electrical, and engine issues leading. It is not flagged to avoid, but the 2024 has a cleaner record.
Is the 2025 or 2026 Santa-Cruz better than the 2024?
The data cannot say yet. Both rate well, but newer years have had less time to collect complaints. The 2026 has none on file, which reflects little time on the road. The 2025 already shows eight forward collision avoidance complaints. The 2024 has a longer record to judge.
Is the 2024 Santa-Cruz free of problems?
No. Its power train reports include a slip into neutral when pulling away and sudden power loss at highway speed. Two owners report airbags that did not deploy in front-corner crashes. One owner describes a loud steering column buzz with lane keeping assist on.

How we score every Hyundai Santa Cruz model year

Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.

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