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There could be trouble in small truck paradise as the Hyundai Santa Cruz gets hit with its second recall. What does this mean for this compact truck’s reliability rankings? Is it safe? Let’s dive in and see what’s up with the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz

2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz recall alert due to power loss 

Front angle view of blue 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz, highlighting affordable pickup truck alternatives costing under $28,000
2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz | Hyundai

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz just got hit with its second recall, which isn’t the best news as it’s the only true Ford Maverick competitor. However, the Maverick currently has six recalls, so the Santa Cruz seems a little more reliable. 

Anyways, according to the Pickup Truck Talk, the 2022 Santa Cruz could suddenly lose power, increasing the risk of accidents and injuries. This recall also impacts the 2021 – 2022 Santa Fe, Sonata, Veloster N, Kona N, and Elantra N. 

Because the vehicle’s “fail-safe” limited-mobility drive mode could be impaired, drivers could experience a complete loss of power when prompted by an oil pump malfunction. So this seems like these vehicles actually have two problems to correct. 

Owners at risk will be notified via mail beginning on December 5, 2022. You can also enter your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the Nationa Highway Safety Traffic Administration (NHSTA) site here to see if your vehicle is affected. 

You will need to take your Santa Cruz or related vehicles to a Hyundai dealership for service. Technicians will inspect the transmission and replace it as necessary. They will also update the transmission control unit software. 

You can call Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460 with any questions that you may have. The number for this recall is 236. 

What’s the other Santa Cruz recall? 

Recently, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz was issued a recall due to a fire risk. This is a little more concerning than the transmission issues, but don’t worry. Hyundai isn’t aware of any injuries related to these issues. 

An oil leak could come close to ignition sources such as a hot engine or exhaust components, leading to an increased fire risk. This problem is related to an oil supply pipe to the turbocharger that might crack. 

As a result, oil could spread to the engine compartment. Hyundai is aware of 16 units that sparked flame because of this problem. 

If your vehicle is at risk, you should have been notified via mail over the summer. Hyundai technicians will replace the turbocharger oil pipe free of charge. 

How reliable is the Santa Cruz? 

2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz parked next to horses.
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz | Joe Santos, MotorBiscuit

According to Get Jerry, Consumer Reports gave the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz a predicted reliability ranking of two out of five, which is below average. However, it’s a brand-new truck, and it’s a little early to predict how well it will hold up. 

Consumer Reports based its prediction based on how well other vehicles in the lineup have lasted. The Santa Cruz is similar to the Tucson but is available with a different engine. Plus, the Tucson just receive updates for 2022 that could correct previous problems. 

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz received a reliability ranking of 83 out of 100 from J.D.Power, which is above average. This may indicate that the 2022 Santa Cruz performed better than expected. 

It could last over 200,000 miles. The Santa Cruz has fewer recalls than the Maverick so far. It could have a better build quality. Stay tuned for the latest performance updates.

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