2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

• Recall 22V746000Oct 6, 202256,148 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

  Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe, Sonata, Veloster N, 2022 Santa Cruz, Elantra N, and Kona N vehicles. The vehicle's "fail-safe" limited-mobility drive mode may be impaired, when prompted by a transmission oil pump malfunction, which can result in a complete loss of drive power.

  Risk: Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission, as necessary. Dealers will also update the transmission control unit software. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 236.

What owners say

1. Filed Sep 9, 2026LAOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain

   In approximately late 2024, at just under 30,000 miles, the vehicle lost motive power while driving on the interstate. Multiple warning lights illuminated and the vehicle lost drive shortly afterward, leaving me unable to accelerate in traffic. The vehicle was then serviced under Recall 236 (NHTSA 22V-746) for the 8-speed dual-clutch transmission high-pressure oil pump. The remedy performed was a transmission control unit software update only; the transmission was not…

   NHTSA complaint #11763142 · source
2. Filed Aug 10, 2026NJTransmission & Drivetrain

   The cars transmission has become very jerky at low speeds. The drive train will either hesitate or rev without power for a couple seconds. The problem started at around 14k miles.

   NHTSA complaint #11755857 · source
3. Filed Jun 5, 2026FLFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   Loss of power from the engine while accelerating from a stop in heavy traffic. Car began shaking and sputtering with intermittent spurts of power, unable to exceed 10 mph on narrow bridge. Pulled over and the vehicle smelled heavily of gasoline near the engine. This issue is the Third instance of my engine sputtering and losing power. The first instance, injectors 2 & 4 were replaced. The second instance Injector 3 was replaced. I followed dealer recommendations and only…

   NHTSA complaint #11742267 · source
4. Filed Jun 1, 2026200,000 miWATowedTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2022 HYUNDAI Santa Cruz. The contact stated while driving 74 MPH, while depressing the accelerator pedal the vehicle failed to respond. The contact pulled over to the right side of the road and turned the vehicle off and on and the vehicle began to work as intended. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact then had the vehicle towed to another dealer where…

   NHTSA complaint #11741377 · source
5. Filed Apr 24, 2026SCTransmission & Drivetrain

   After starting vehicle and shifting to Drive, the vehicle does not want to shift out of 1st gear and only accelerating to 25 to 30 mph. So far the only quick fix is to stop and turn the vehicle off and then restarting.

   NHTSA complaint #11733691 · source
6. Filed Mar 26, 2026COElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   "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…

   NHTSA complaint #11727301 · source
7. Filed Nov 19, 2025FLTransmission & Drivetrain

   My 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz has an ongoing powertrain/transmission malfunction that occurs during cold starts. The vehicle will not upshift out of 1st gear and becomes stuck around 25 mph with the accelerator fully pressed. There are no warning lights or messages. The only way to temporarily fix the issue is to pull over, turn the vehicle off, and restart it. This creates a serious safety risk because I am unable to accelerate to normal traffic speeds when merging or crossing…

   NHTSA complaint #11700470 · source
8. Filed Nov 4, 202563,000 miCOTowedEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11697511 · source
9. Filed Aug 18, 2025WAOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain

   2nd replacement DCT transmission failed Loss of power while driving on the interstate , upon acceleration no increase in speed, went from 65mph to 38mph before able to pull off the highway. Intermittently it is not shifting, shuttering, hard reverse shift, hesitation from park into drive

   NHTSA complaint #11681408 · source
10. Filed May 13, 2025CAFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

    I was driving on the freeway at 65mph and experienced a sudden loss of power. I depressed the gas pedal but the car would not accelerate past 45 mph. I had to drive all the way home with my hazard lights on. There were no lights on the dashboard to signify a problem. This happened several times. I took it into the Hyundai Service center and they could not replicate the problem. It happened again. and again. and again. finally got an error "possible condition with your engine…

    NHTSA complaint #11660778 · source
11. Filed May 12, 202540,000 miTXTransmission & Drivetrain

    The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle intermittently lost automotive power. No warning lights were illuminated. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the dealer informed the contact that the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to a different dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that…

    NHTSA complaint #11660406 · source
12. Filed Oct 19, 2024IATransmission & Drivetrain

    First shift issue, no warning lights present, was able to get to dealer they hooked up computer and reset/restart vehicle and told me I probably hit gas and brake at same time and it was probably in limp mode. Month later went to store just fine, got back in my vehicle and check engine light was on, shift issues, was told to keep driving for over 2 weeks till they had available appointment, during that time battery died and check engine light went off but shift issues were…

    NHTSA complaint #11620756 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology