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2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 35.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 6 of 79 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports3 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

79 reports
Mileage unknown · Feb 5, 2023
Power Train

Sat Feb 4 2023 .There is a safety issue I have .with fact I left walmart pulled out into traffic went to 20 miles hour would not go any faster let off gas 3 times pushed and it finally took off this car has less than 3,000 Miles on it the only gd thing was I was on side street could only imagine. Pulling in in to traffic moving…

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Sat Feb 4 2023 .There is a safety issue I have .with fact I left walmart pulled out into traffic went to 20 miles hour would not go any faster let off gas 3 times pushed and it finally took off this car has less than 3,000 Miles on it the only gd thing was I was on side street could only imagine. Pulling in in to traffic moving over 50 mph and getting hit .my wife drives it more than I do .I asked her about this weekend she said it's started doing more and more so it's happening more often. I am taking it to dealer. But therr is no service lights on on dash it's bothers me alot but she has to go to work and so do I she is nurse

NHTSA ODI #11505688

Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2023
Visibility/wiper

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, th…

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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 visibility issues; especially with road salt or light rains. And at night, it's very difficult to see where I'm driving.

NHTSA ODI #11502290

Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2023
Exterior Lighting

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 bul…

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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 should be definitely brighter. LED housings and bulbs should be required in all models based on the safety concern. Who puts bulbs so low on the front, under the hood? Is there a law about placement/location of headlights?

NHTSA ODI #11501073

Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2023
Unknown Or Other

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 incorr…

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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 void our warranty, down the road. SOMEONE NEEDS to do SOMETHING about this. This is fraud. MAKE Hyundai put THEIR required oil in THEIR engine, as stated in THEIR owners manual.

NHTSA ODI #11500398

Mileage unknown · Jan 1, 2023
Electrical SystemEngine

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…

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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 dash or the smart app which reports errors. This could cause an accident if someone was behind me.

NHTSA ODI #11499705

Mileage unknown · Dec 21, 2022
Engine

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. …

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11498350

Mileage unknown · Nov 8, 2022
Power Train

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: …

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11492716

Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 2022
Electrical SystemSeats

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 …

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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 10/26/22.

NHTSA ODI #11491239

Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 2022
Electrical SystemLane Departure

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 repai…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11491236

Official recalls

2

23V181000 · Trailer Hitches

Mar 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 & remedy

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.

23V038000 · Structure:body:roof And Pillars; Structure:critical Fasteners

Jan 31, 2023

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Tucson and 2022-2023 Santa Cruz vehicles. The roof moldings may detach.

Consequence & remedy

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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Structure:critical Fasteners

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.

Structure:body:roof And Pillars

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.