2023 Hyundai SANTA CRUZ problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
77 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
5,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2023 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 25 of 77 complaints (32.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 17 | 22.1% |
| Braking behavior | 9 | 11.7% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 7.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 3.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 2.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 25 |
| Engine | 20 |
| Electrical System | 13 |
| Unknown Or Other | 10 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 |
| Service Brakes | 5 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 |
| Exterior Lighting | 4 |
Power Train: 25; Engine: 20; Electrical System: 13; Unknown Or Other: 10; Fuel/Propulsion System: 6; Service Brakes: 5; Vehicle Speed Control: 5; Exterior Lighting: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 71 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 33 |
| 2024 | 15 |
| 2025 | 19 |
| 2026 | 6 |
2022: 4; 2023: 33; 2024: 15; 2025: 19; 2026: 6
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 17 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 6 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11492716 · 2022-11-08 (November 8, 2022)
On 11/6/2022, while driving the vehicle, it suffered a loss of power and would not accelerate. I was in the vehicle with my wife and 2 young children who felt the vehicle shudder. I was able to drive the vehicle to my home. On 11/7/2022, upon starting the vehicle, I received an error notice from the internal diagnostics system: transmission control P087501 POWERTRAIN TCU. System advised to have vehicle serviced immediately. Vehicle was towed to nearest Hyundai dealership. Further information awaited.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11492716 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11506502 · 2023-02-09 (February 9, 2023)
The car has 1,360 miles and is only a month old since I bought it. Car sat for 8 hours at my work parking lot. When I went to start it it ran rough like an engine misfire for about 10 seconds then normal. When I drove off with engine cold... the transmission would not shift up and was at 4,000 rpms. The accelerator pedal was not responsive.. even flooring it yielded no acceleration and the car would not go over 25mph. No check engine lights or trouble lights. I was able to put the automatic into paddle shift mode but the car still di…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11506502 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11515793 · 2023-04-06 (April 6, 2023)
The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz. The contact stated while slowing down at approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle downshifted roughly and would jolt while shifting into gear. The contact stated that the failure had been occurring intermittently. Additionally, the contact stated that the RPMs would remain high while he was at a complete stop. The contact stated that the RPMs would rise above 3,000 RPM while depressing the brake pedal, and he would turn the vehicle off to stop the engine from revving. There was no warning light illuminated. …
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11515793 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11526766 · 2023-06-13 (June 13, 2023)
The most major problem that occurred on 2-3 different occasions is that the emergency braking system activated for no reason on one occasion, almost causing a Rear end collision with a person behind me. No one to my sides, and in front of me on all of the occasions. Headlights on the automatic, setting on a bright sunny day, will turn off and on no change in lighting which annoys other drivers because they think I’m flashing them. After starting the car in Drive the first time I break and then go to accelerate there’s a delay in the accelerati…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11526766 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11529402 · 2023-06-28 (June 28, 2023)
The dual clutch transmission frequently, though not consistently, malfunctions under acceleration. Typically, when accelerating from a stop, when the transmission shifts from 1st to 2nd gear, the clutch will slip causing a sudden loss of acceleration and shaking of the vehicle. Hyundai calls this a "judder". This causes a safety issue to myself and others because of the unexpected sudden loss of power. If this occurs while crossing another street or pulling out into traffic, it could lead to a collision. I took the vehicle in to Hyundai to…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11529402 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11639015 · 2025-01-28 (January 28, 2025)
Vehice experienced FULL power loss several times. Truck taken to dealership and stated no problem found. Incident happened again a week later. Determined wires can become lose from battery terminals for no reason.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11639015 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11651645 · 2025-03-30 (March 30, 2025)
The system that failed was electrical near or in the Tow Hitch which caused the vehicle fire. Vehicle is available for inspection at Auto Body Evolution Essex MD. The car caught fire in the back of the vehicle while parked in Owner's driveway and engine off. Neighbor pounded on Owner's door at 6:50 am. yelling for the residents to open the door that their vehicle was on fire in their driveway. Fire was dangerously close to the gas cap; parked vehicle was close to the owner's house, two boats in the driveway, and neighbor's house. After the…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11651645 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11616602 · 2024-09-26 (September 26, 2024)
The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH with the cruise control engaged, the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle slowed to approximately 15 MPH while depressing the accelerator pedal and failed to respond as needed. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the residence. The contact turned off the vehicle and attempted to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to res…
Owner-reported narrative. 13,803 miles reported. Look up ODI 11616602 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11659417 · 2025-05-07 (May 7, 2025)
Received error code P030300 and the third cylinder fuel injector had to be replaced. There is approximately 36000 miles on the vehicle.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11659417 at NHTSA ↗