Hyundai Santa Cruz engine problems, 2022–2027
78 of the 323 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Hyundai Santa Cruz 2022–2027 name the engine (NHTSA’s “Engine” heading — the engine and its cooling system). The loudest years: 2022 (51), 2023 (20), 2024 (6). Filed under the same heading across these years: 1 recall campaign. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Hyundai Santa Cruz engine problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the engine | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2026 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2025 | 1 | 5% | — | 4 TSBs | the year → |
| 2024 | 6 | 17% | — | — | the year → |
| 2023 | 20 | 25% | — | 4 TSBs | the year → |
| 2022 in depth | 51 | 28% | — | 10 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the engine. Nothing here is a rate.
When the engine complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2022: 21 · 2023: 23 · 2024: 16 · 2025: 10 · 2026: 8
Too few of these complaints carry an odometer reading to say when the problem shows up.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the engine, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
On June 21, 2022 around 10:55AM, while driving in the center lane on I-75, close to Ocala, Florida, warning sounds and a message on the panel indicated, "Warning, stop the vehicle intermediately" .
I have had this vehicle for less than 2 months, and the engine started knocking after about 800 miles. This seems to occur after putting about 100+ miles on the car throughout the day, letting it rest for a few hours between the long driving sessions. The knock occurs on first start up the next day.
Received error code P030300 and the third cylinder fuel injector had to be replaced. There is approximately 36000 miles on the vehicle
Oil filter cap oil leak problem. Typical problem with this vehicles that require attention. These defective oil leak caps are a safety and environmental concern. The engine almost starved of oil while driving on the highway. Manufacturer has been contacted and are not proactive in taking care of this defect
Upon starting the vehicle is doesn't act normal and when placed In drive it feels like brakes are applied and it doesn't want to hardly move even when pressing the throttle all the way down. This has also happens a couple times when at a stop and have to pull over and turn the vehicle off and restart. My so.
What is on file about the engine, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaign filed under this heading, any model year
- 22V197000 HighMar 28, 2022 · 16 vehicles
- Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Santa Fe and Santa Cruz vehicles. The oil supply pipe to the turbocharger may crack, which could result in an oil leak in the engine compartment.
Other systems with a record on the Hyundai Santa Cruz
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Hyundai Santa Cruz problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Hyundai Santa Cruz years have the most engine complaints?
2022, 51; 2023, 20; 2024, 6. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2022 (28%).
Is there a recall for the engine on the Hyundai Santa Cruz?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading across these model years: 22V197000 (2022). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do engine problems show up on the Hyundai Santa Cruz?
Too few of the complaints carry an odometer reading to say.
What does NHTSA's "Engine" heading cover?
The engine and its cooling system. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.