2023 Hyundai SANTA CRUZ: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11491236 · 2022-10-27 (October 27, 2022)
Less than a week after purchasing the vehicle, the audio stopped working. All warnings had no audible indication, including lane departure, rear collision, front collision, blind spot, and back seat. Looking up the issue online, it seems this is common on the trim of my vehicle (Limited). I brought it to the dealership for repair. When I got it back, they said there was a loose connection in the back of the radio.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11491236 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11491239 · 2022-10-27 (October 27, 2022)
Driver's seat power height adjustment does not work. Brought it to the dealership and they claimed they verified the issue and it was because of something I had under the seat. They claimed to have corrected it, and verified operation, but it still doesn't work. When confronted about it, the service manager now insists it's the switch that's the problem, and he is ordering a new one. This issue prevents me from adjusting the height of my seat, so I sit so high that the rest view mirror blocks my field of view. This remains unresolved as of 10/2…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11491239 at NHTSA ↗
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 11498350 · 2022-12-21 (December 21, 2022)
Joined a Santa Cruz Owners blog immediately after purchase. This safety defect involves BOTH the 2022 and 2023 - ALL models. The front grill (especially the lower section) has no mesh and the openings are too big. Road debris entering this area can disable the Engine Cooling System and/or the vehicles Air Conditioning System. A protective mesh or screen has to be designed by Hyundai, to fit behind the grill, to deflect large rocks and objects that could disable the motor.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11498350 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11499705 · 2023-01-01 (January 1, 2023)
Brand new. I hit the gas trying to pull out onto a busy road and I couldn't go above 30-40Mph. The RPMs went up but the car would not accelerate. I pulled onto a slower road and tried changing gears manually, and different drive modes such as sport or snow. The problem persisted. I shut the vehicle/engine off and started it back up. Everything ran perfect after that. I googled "Hyundai Santa Cruz No Power" and came across dozens of post of the 2022 and 2023 model experiencing the same thing. Like me, no warning lights or codes came up on the da…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11499705 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11500398 · 2023-01-05 (January 5, 2023)
Hyundai manual requires 0w20 oil (which is synthetic) in this engine, to avoid engine failure. Hyundai promises 3 years of free maintenance. BUT, all local Hyundai dealers tell us that Hyundai Corporate won't pay for the recommended oil when servicing our vehicles. SO, they will do the free maintenance but are putting the incorrect weight oil, according to HYUNDAI itself. The Hyundai free maintenance, promised when purchasing a new Hyundai (35k in our case), can actually damage our new car. And if we don't take the free maintenance, it could …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11500398 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11501073 · 2023-01-10 (January 10, 2023)
On this new Hyundai design the headlights and bright lights are put low, into the area where the bumper and turn signals normally are. They put halogen bulbs in 3 versions (including the version we own). We are older and don't have perfect vision. The lights in this location are unusually dim and can be unsafe at times. The bulbs, in this real location, from the hood, project unusually low, creating a weird field of view, at night. The upper models have LED headlights, so we are not sure if this is an issue with that version, although it shou…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11501073 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11502290 · 2023-01-17 (January 17, 2023)
The windshield washer spray nozzles do not provide proper coverage to clean the windshield. They spray almost directly at the very bottom of the windshield while at rest, and it's even worse when at speed. I had the dealer check it out. They originally told me they adjusted the spray nozzles, but when I picked up the vehicle, the problem was still there. So I brought the vehicle back to the dealership. This time, they told me that these nozzles are not adjustable. The wipers aren't able to clean the windshield, so this causes significant visib…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11502290 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
23V038000 · Structure:Critical Fasteners | Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars
Reported: 2023-01-31 (January 31, 2023)
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Tucson and 2022-2023 Santa Cruz vehicles. The roof moldings may detach.
Consequence: A detached roof molding could become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace, or secure the roof moldings, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 30, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 241.
NHTSA campaign record ↗23V181000 · Trailer Hitches
Reported: 2023-03-17 (March 17, 2023)
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Santa Fe, 2021-2023 Santa Fe HEV, 2022-2023 Santa Fe Plug-in HEV and Santa Cruz vehicles potentially equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Hyundai dealership. Water accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
Consequence: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is completed. Dealers will install a new fuse and wire extension kit as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed starting May 16, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 244. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 22V-633.
NHTSA campaign record ↗