The Hyundai Santa Cruz was one of the most-anticipated compact trucks in recent memory, entering the market in 2022 after a very successful concept hit auto shows several years earlier. The Santa Cruz is built in Alabama and enjoys a reputation as a fun, well-made crossover-based pickup truck. It does, however, have a few known problems.
The information below comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Honda press releases, consumer forums, technician forums, and social media.
Santa Cruz Engine & Transmission Problems
The following are recalls and service bulletins directly related to the Santa Cruz’s drivetrain. These cover problems related to the engine, the transmission, the differentials, etc. These are grouped by year of issue, recalls listed first.
Loss of Drive Power (22V-746): Involves a powertrain issue posing a loss-of-power risk in specific 2022 Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, and Kona N units. A transmission oil pump malfunction can cause the vehicle’s “fail safe” drive mode to be impaired.
Cracked Turbo Oil Supply (22V-197): Affects 2022 Santa Cruz turbo models where a cracked turbocharger oil supply pipe can leak oil in the engine compartment and increase fire risk. Dealers replace the oil supply pipe.
Transmission TSBs: Several TSBs outline procedures for diagnosing clutch slip codes, incorrect ratio diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), and installing software updates for shifting behavior. These all address problems in the dual-clutch transmission, which was replaced in the 2026 model year.
Major Recalls for the Santa Cruz
The following are recalls that affected a large number of Hyundai’s trucks after leaving the factory. These do not include items found in the Engine & Transmission section above. NHTSA recall numbers are listed in parentheses and sorted by year of issue.
False Positives Forward Collision Avoidance System (26V-316): Affects certain 2025–2026 Santa Cruz models where overly sensitive front camera software can cause the forward collision-avoidance system to unexpectedly and prematurely apply the brakes. Dealers update the front camera software for free.
Cluster Blackouts, Reboots (26V-047): Affects certain 2026 Santa Cruz models due to electrical noise in the power management integrated circuit causing the instrument cluster screen to intermittently blank out or reboot while driving. Dealers provide a software update.
Side Curtain Airbag Installation (25V-809): Some 2025-2026 Santa Cruz models may have improperly installed side curtain airbags.
Rearview Camera Fail (25V-808): Covers multiple models including the 2026 Santa Cruz where the rearview camera image may fail to display properly.
Console Wiring Improperly Routed (24V-877): Some 2025 Santa Cruz vehicles may have improperly routed console extension wiring assemblies, allowing the transmission to shift out of Park without applying the brake pedal.
Steering Short Circuits (24V-412): Some 2024 Santa Cruz models may experience a short circuit in the motor-driven power steering assembly, causing a loss of power steering assist.
Detaching Roof Moldings (23V-380): On some 2022-2023 Santa Cruz models, improperly installed roof moldings may detach.
Tow Hitch Module Shorts (23V-181): Some 2022-2023 Santa Cruz models with factory- or dealer-installed tow hitch harnesses may experience shorts due to water accumulation.
Technical Service Bulletins for the Hyundai Santa Cruz
A technical service bulletin (TSB) is a notice sent to dealerships and technicians with instructions for the repair of a known issue. These bulletins usually follow recalls, are issued for common warranty claims, or list known problems and their common fix.
Electrical & Brakes: Addressing electronic parking brake diagnostic trouble codes (C2416/C2417) requiring harness replacements. These include replacing the rear extension harness / ABS wheel speed sensor harness.
Infotainment: Directives noting that screen sizes (8-inch, 10.25-inch, and 12.3-inch) use non-interchangeable wiring and unique modules and cannot be cross-swapped without also changing those items.
Hyundai Santa Cruz Known Problems
These are known issues commonly reported by owners and technicians in forums and on social media, but which are not covered by a recall or TSB. The majority of these complaints are from the 2022-2023 model years.
Electrical & Infotainment Glitches: Initial launch models logged higher rates of blank infotainment screens, glitchy digital instrument clusters, and occasional battery drain originating from the body control module.
Low-Speed Hesitation: Drivers frequently complain of jerky, unrefined, or delayed shifting when accelerating from a complete stop or navigating stop-and-go traffic.
Transmission Whining: A persistent high-pitched hum or whine from the transmission/transfer case area has been reported by owners, even when the vehicle continues to shift normally.
Wireless Smartphone Connectivity: Random disconnections with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto reporting is widespread.
Touch-Capacitive AC Controls: On trims without physical buttons, some owners complain that the touch panel is hyper-sensitive to dust or accidental brushes, intermittently turning on heated seats or changing climate settings on its own.
Tonneau Track Realignment & Jamming: The rolling cover often slips out of its tracks, binds up, or refuses to close and lock fully. This is usually caused by debris accumulation or weak factory alignment latches.
Sticking Fuel Door: The internal actuator pin can swell or misalign, causing the gas door to stick shut when pressed to open, forcing it be manually pried open or a full replacement latch assembly.
How To Check For Recalls On Your Hyundai
The easiest way to check for current recalls that may affect your Palisade is to visit the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) Recalls page and enter your license plate or 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN) to run a search. You can also do this at the Hyundai Service and Recalls page.
