2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Engine Problems

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 have filed a report with Hyundai National Consumer Affairs because the vehicle will be out of warranty by the end of 2026, and the underlying issue has not been investigated nor resolved. I am concerned that once vehicle is out of warranty, a major issue with the engine will be found that caused repeated failure of the fuel injectors. I did request an extension of the warranty, but was told that normally doesn't happen.

NHTSA ID

11749598

Incident

Oct 15, 2025

While driving my vehicle on a two-lane highway, I experienced multiple sequential electronic system failures (including the vehicle no longer detecting the smart key), and all electronic systems on the car became inoperative. I lost all instrumentation, including my speedometer and tachometer. At the same time, I also experienced a loss of motive power, and the engine of the vehicle began running extremely erratically before completely cutting off. I attempted to make a safe stop on the side of the road, but after doing so, could not restart the vehicle. The electrical systems of the vehicle continued to behave erratically, and the engine would not restart. I contacted roadside assistance, but they were unable to start the vehicle as well. It was towed to my local Hyundai dealership, but instead of expressing any genuine concern for the significant risk I endured while being placed In harm's way, they refused to fully diagnose the vehicle, and instead accused me of "jumping in reverse," even though I did no such thing (and don't even know what that means). The dealership has no evidence to suggest any such event took place, and simply wants me to pay over $1,800 for replacement of the battery connection terminals, despite being in-warranty. Obviously, the vehicle was already running – there is no way that the dealership's false allegations could possibly be correct. I contacted Hyundai Motor America and was assigned a caseworker, but they were not interested in finding a resolution, and unable to compel the servicing dealership to perform a full diagnostic or provide warranty service. Feeling that I was running out of options for the vehicle to be properly diagnosed, I contacted the dealership where I purchased the car, and provided the photographic evidence & service documentation required. They agreed that there's no way that I could have created this issue, and that further investigation is warranted, but HMA only cares about money – not my or my family's safety.

NHTSA ID

11745435

Incident

May 18, 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 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. The vehicle has been inspected multiple times by the Hyundai dealership over the past year. Hyundai Motor America has an open case on this vehicle and has escalated it to their buyback department. The Check Engine Light illuminated during the highway incident then self-cleared. Transmission slipping, shuddering at low speeds, high RPMs at low vehicle speeds, and failure to shift properly have been reported to the dealer for over one year. This vehicle contains the identical DCT transmission covered under Hyundai Recall 236 but my VIN was excluded despite identical symptoms. Backup camera has also failed twice — a federally mandated safety device."

NHTSA ID

11727301

Incident

Mar 19, 2026

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.

NHTSA ID

11697511

Incident

Sep 30, 2025

Mileage

63,000 mi

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 failures. Looking at the various Hyundai Santa Cruz forums, it appears that this has been a very common issue and has occurred in 2022 through 2025 model year vehicles

NHTSA ID

11679960

Incident

Aug 1, 2025

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

NHTSA ID

11671265

Incident

Jun 27, 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 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. FYI - The dealership replaced all 4 fuel injectors to fix

NHTSA ID

11645560

Incident

Feb 14, 2025

- What component or system failed or malfunctioned: Code P019185 main fuel rail pressure regulator sensor. -Is it available for inspection upon request? Yes -How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? At highway speeds, sudden lose of power and speed. Unable to accelerate. -Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? No, happens randomly, vehicle has to be shut down and restarted to resolve problem. -Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No -Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No warning, shortly after purchase and several time after purchase to date.

NHTSA ID

11614738

Incident

Apr 30, 2024

2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Limited 29K miles bought in March at CarMax. I had 6/8 fuel injectors replaced under warranty but it took MONTHS and 5 trips to the dealer. I first had an issue with cold starting the engine and I got a cylinder 3 misfire code, and the first time I dropped it off in April they said they could not repro and sent me home...and then the story got worse.... May 10, 2024 I dropped off the vehicle for a second time due to an intermittent issue with rough cold starts and check engine light. May 24, 2024 All 4 of the high pressure fuel injectors were replaced and I was able to take home the vehicle after two weeks. May 25, 2024 one day later, after the repairs were made, another check engine light DTC P23F5F0 came on while driving the vehicle. May 29, 2024 I dropped off the vehicle due to DTC P23F5F0 as reported by Bluelink . May 31, 2024 The DTC was cleared from the system after a brief diagnosis and I was sent home with the vehicle with no repairs being done. June 1, 2024 One day after I picked it up, DTC P23F5F0 showed up again for me on the Santa Cruz. June 2nd, 2024 I dropped it off for this DTC for the second time. They drove it 250 miles and could not get the light to come back on. July 12, 2024 They released the vehicle over one month later, doing nothing but clearing the light, citing that they needed to replicate the issue for Hyundai corporate to pay for a repair. July 13th 2024, the day after I picked it up for this DTC the second time, the same malfunction indicator DTC 23F5F0 light came back on for me. I finally got the vehicle back in August after they replaced 2 of the low pressure fuel injectors. I've heard from others that failing fuel injectors can cause catastrophic failures on the highway.

NHTSA ID

11614306

Incident

May 1, 2024

2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz began shaking on the interstate and showing a check engine light on the dash. After pulling off the road to a nearby auto parts store, the ODB reader showed a DTC of P0301, which is a misfiring cylinder. A independent mechanic across the street from the auto parts store diagnosed the issue as a leaking fuel injector, but in order to get the repair cost covered, the vehicle had to be towed to a Hyundai dealership. The dealership did not have any loaner vehicles to offer and estimated 1-2 weeks to even officially diagnose the vehicle themselves. 2 weeks later, the dealership is estimating another 2-3 weeks or more, and Hyundai corporate will not approve any reimbursement for the out-of-pocket costs of hotel, towing, Uber, and rental until diagnosis AND repair is complete, which could be an unknown period of time.

NHTSA ID

11611219

Incident

Aug 10, 2024

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. I don't know much about vehicles, but if a car continues to stall, vibrate and stop at anytime it will cause an accident.

NHTSA ID

11605304

Incident

Jun 22, 2024

Instrument Panel said Navigation system had failed and to check the front sensor. Then the car went into limp mode and infotainment screen displayed - “A possible condition with your Engine Control System has been detected. A full system check is recommended to be done soon. Please contact you local dealership to schedule an appointment.” DTC 65312 was logged by the car. Took to dealer, they couldn't find the problem.

NHTSA ID

11597697

Incident

Jun 26, 2024

Just had the fuel induction serviced day prior to issue. Started car normally. Went to accelerate and no power. Car crawled forward and would not go past 25mph at a slow crawl. Stopped turned of engine and restarted. System to be working normally.

NHTSA ID

11588006

Incident

May 10, 2024

I was trying to accelerate with pushing the gas pedal and the truck would not go any faster than 22 mph. This went on for 15 minutes until the truck was turned off and restarted. It seemed to be corrected with turning the vehicle off. No engine warning lights came on and the vehicle was in drive the whole time. The concern was not being able to accelerate on the on-ramp to the main highway. The vehicle has not been inspected by anyone at this time. The problem could not be reproduced after it occurred today.

NHTSA ID

11574969

Incident

Mar 1, 2024

Transmission lost power and Hyundai had to replace the Transmission at 20,000 miles

NHTSA ID

11573244

Incident

Nov 7, 2023

Dec. 16 2023 / 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz(Daily Driver) VEHICLE SAFETY CONCERNS / DANGEROUS DRIVING SAFETY ISSUES INCREASED RISK OF CRASH (HIGHWAY) Transmission: Problems started Dec. 11,2023 Monday Having trouble gaining any speed. The engine revving when getting on freeway when practicing normal function acceleration, slow having hard time gaining speed, car jerking. Transmission gauge will go beyond4-5 sometimes 6 on RPM just as regular pick up to accelerate problems noticed week of Dec. 11/2023. We were going to bring it up when taken for routine maintenance that would be due at 39,000 mile oil change. car currently standing at 37,000 miles. Radiator: Problems started Dec. 16, 2023 (Saturday) Pearland is 12 miles from home route on 288. Incident occurred while driving from Bushi Ban Martial Arts & Fitness after son's class. I was on freeway and car started to lose speed & over heat. The car beeped and said overheating. hood and oil light began to flash. Luckily was exiting freeway when it occurred speed was 60 mph slowed down to 8 mph and it cooled down enough to coast home. When in driveway hot pink liquid spewed every where, battery cover blown open, liquid all over tubes and engine. The liquid leaked all over driveway and was on drivers side quarter panel and paint was bubbled up. Damage to paint from heat of liquid. Lights on dash that are lit up are engine light, oil can light, battery light on staying on not turning off. Car is not able to be driven due to MFG. defective radiator, transmission, possible engine damage. Looked online noticed recall on thousands of vehicle including the 2022 Santa Cruz 4 recalls stated. Have not turned car back on due to needing it checked out by dealership ASAP need it towed to dealership. De Montrond Hyundai 3260 Gulf Fry Texas City, Tx 77591 Followed instructions on maintaining service at dealership as stated on warranty. REQUEST THAT THE CAR BE TESTED AND OPENED TO FIND ALL DEFECTS AND DAMAGE.

NHTSA ID

11560626

Incident

Dec 16, 2023

Leaving work my truck started shimmying like I had a flat. I realized I had no power when accelerating and my engine light came on. I wanted to make it home so chanced it in the interstate. Any acceleration under 2000 rpm my whole car shook and shuddered. It even shakes when idling before I shut it off. The dealer said they can’t even schedule it for service for weeks.

NHTSA ID

11559614

Incident

Dec 11, 2023

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. They had the vehicle for two weeks and said that the dipstick "failed" and showed me the original dipstick with now a very visible cut in the o-ring that was not there before when I took pics of the dipstick before they towed it from my home. I use my vehicle for emergency response and did not feel safe driving the vehicle with oil still all over the engine compartment and underside of all the vehicle. Hyundai customer service did NOTHING, they told me to drive it as it is despite being covered in oil. I went back and forth with Hyundai Customer Service and they would not give me higher position names, numbers or contact information for me to escalate my grievance and safety concern, then HUNG UP ON ME. I had to immediately trade the vehicle and lost my 2.74 interest rate and much of my equity as it only had 26000 miles on it with only 25,000 owed.

NHTSA ID

11556033

Incident

Nov 2, 2022

Lose of power, twice, one was around July early August, driving from my home doing about 30 mph I lost power, and the word limit showed on my dash, thinking I may have done something wrong myself I didn't think much of it until last Wednesday 09/27/23 it happened again, after leaving my destination I was driving home went around a corner and was up to about 35 mph and my truck lost power, which was completely nerve wrecking I had to pull over quickly and the word limit showed up again, I restarted the vehicle and drove off, and called a hyandai dealership and made an appointment which is for today Monday 10/02/23

NHTSA ID

11547655

Incident

Sep 27, 2023

Vehicle begins to sputter and doesn’t want to accelerate. This usually occurs on the highway. Pulling over and turning the car off “resets it” sometimes. Vehicle is less than a year old with 26k mi on it. When the vehicle experiences these episodes I have to gradually use the accelerator, vehicle does not like fast acceleration when it’s going through one of these episodes. Check engine light comes on and a message stating a diagnostic of the engine control system needs to be conducted. Currently awaiting Hyundai dealership to get me into their service department.

NHTSA ID

11533300

Incident

Jul 18, 2023

ON 7-13-2023 I WAS GETTING IN MY SANTZ CRUZ LIMITED THAT I BOUGHT BRAND NEW WITH 19,000 MILES, WHEN I TURNED ON MY TRUCK THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. I SAT AND RAN A HEALTH CHECK ON MY INFO SCREEN, IT CAME UP WITH A TRANSMISSION/ENGINE ISSUES. I THEN WENT TO THE SANTA CRUZ APP AND FOUND THE ALERT, WHICH WAS DTC P1C2DO3 WHICH IS A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION ENGINE. I HAD THAT SERVICED ALL READY IN FEB OF 2023. WELL, I GUESS IT DIDN'T WORK. I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE IT WHERE IT WAS SO I SLOWLY DROVE TO MY OFFICE WHICH IS GATED. LEFT IT THERE OVERNIGHT AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE HYUNDIA DEALER FROM I BOUGHT IT AT. BUT AS I DROVE IT I CONTINUED TO LOSE POWER, AND IT SEEMED TO WANT TO STALE. YOU DO NOT WANT TO LOSE POWER WHERE I LIVE, THE DRIVING HERE IS SCARY. I AM NOW WAITING FOR A RESPONSE FROM THE AUTO NATION DEALERSHIP ON WHAT IS GOING ON, BUT THEY ARE NOT IN ANY HURRY TO GET BACK TO ME. I HAVE READ WHERE THERE HAVE BEEN MANY MORE OF THIS KIND OF THING REPORTED. THIS IS REALLY UPSETTING AND SCARY TO ME. IT'S BRAND NEW!

NHTSA ID

11532791

Incident

Jul 13, 2023

Driving on interstate vehicle suddenly decelerated… pressing the gas pedal on rev’d the rpm’s up no acceleration…had to pull over and park..engine light did come on this time ( second time this has happened although the first time power train reengaged after some seconds passed..I did report that incident as well) First time took to dealership was told nothing wrong cannot duplicate… this time wife was with and was able to record ok phone what was happening Had it towed to dealership

NHTSA ID

11517026

Incident

Apr 13, 2023

Loose the power of the vehicle. Can't shift the transmission manually.

NHTSA ID

11516439

Incident

Apr 10, 2023

After taking my vehicle to get serviced for the 4th time, the vehicle is is not repaired. I still have the problem two hours later when driving the vehicle on April 7, 2023. My vehicle sometimes get stuck in high idle @1200 RPM when driving. The engine is at operating temperature when it get stuck. It doesn't go away unless I shut off the engine for a few seconds and then start the engine. It stays in high idle @1200 RPM whether it is in park, neutral, reverse, or drive. It stays @1200 RPM whether the A/C is on or off. The engine control module seem to make adjustments to keep the idle @1200 RPM. It is difficult to stop, additional wear on the brakes, and poor fuel economy. On the highway, when I take my foot off the accelerator pedal the engine feels like the pedal is slightly pressed. A stuck accelerator pedal doesn't make adjustments to maintain the 1200 RPM idle in park and drive or whether the A/C is on and off. It is a problem with the engine control module controlling the idle speed. My dealer already did a engine and transmission value reset which didn't fix the problem. Others have filed a complaint that the RPM gets stuck @5000. The rpm getting stuck doesn't trigger a check engine warning light on my vehicle either. One time while I was driving with the idle problem, the engine shut off while I was braking to a stop at the light. Are Hyundai vehicle parts really being tested to the point of failure or malfunction? How come Hyundai USA doesn't know the cause of the problem? Are we their test subject and crash dummies? The Hyundai dealer said they couldn't reproduce the problem, so when it was malfunctioning again I drove it back to the dealership without shutting off the engine for them to confirm the problem. I have a recent video of the malfunction, but only older photos of the engine or electrical malfunction to upload.

NHTSA ID

11516098

Incident

Apr 7, 2023

Drove on highway,parked, went back to vehicle,saw leak.coolant low, radiator punctured from rock or something on road statedfrom dealer, not covered,but grill is made wide for objects to easily get in and could happen over and over

NHTSA ID

11515303

Incident

Mar 26, 2023