Lemberg Law is investigating consumer complaints relating to 2023 and 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz vehicles experiencing transmission failure. Typically, drivers report a loss of power when shifting gears and/or attempting to accelerate. While there is no recall for the problem at this time, there are multiple accounts of transmission needing replacement. There are also multiple complaints of owners having to wait for as long as a month to get to see a dealer, as well as reports of transmissions being on backorder.
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An increasing number of owners of 2023 and 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz vehicles are reporting transmission failure. Some associate their problems with the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) Campaign Number: 22V746000, a recall of 56,148 Hyundai vehicles including 9,142 of the 2022 Santa Cruz model year with gas powertrains. This acknowledges that the vehicles’ “fail-safe” limited-mobility drive mode may be impaired as a result of a transmission oil pump malfunction, which can result in a complete loss of drive power. However, the remedy for this recall is a transmission control unit software update and not replacing the transmission.
The most common issues relate to shifting gears, loss of power, lack of acceleration, and jerks or shaking known as “judder.” Even though indications are that these symptoms are linked, various NHTSA complaints report different error codes. These include:
Typical complaints state that the powertrain loses propulsion, won’t accelerate, goes limp when attempting to shift gears, or simply won’t shift. A common focus of complaints is that the Santa Cruz loses power when accelerating from a stop. A large number describes how the vehicle shakes when it loses power, which is a malfunction Hyundai refers to as a “judder.”
Whatever the exact experience, it is generally regarded as a serious safety issue.
Response from dealerships varies from service departments being unable to recreate the issue to those that find the transmission needs to be replaced. Quite often they end up giving more than one diagnosis because the problem persists after they have either disregarded it or failed to fix it.
The largest volume of complaints are to the NHTSA, with more about the 2023 than the 2024 model. However, there are also discussions on SantaCruz Forums and on Reddit.
An owner from Florida tells how the Santa Cruz “would go limp when trying to shift gears with an automatic transmission.” There were 3-5 second delays when pressing on the gas. “Very dangerous when driving in traffic as you cannot get out of the way of oncoming traffic! It finally moves very slowly as if you are in the wrong gear.” There was an error message reporting a possible condition with the transmission control system, the Check Engine light came on, and error code P1C2D03 was displayed. “These 23 Santa Cruz need to be recalled and fixed before someone gets killed.” The dealership “performed a software update and said if the problem continues, they will need to replace (the) transmission.”
An owner from Indiana had a transmission error while driving and was being slowed by traffic. It wouldn’t shift and would just rev. The code was P193B79 — but two dealers maintained there was nothing wrong!
After losing power in a new 2023 Santa Cruz, an owner from California went to the dealer who performed a transmission software update/ But the issue worsened significantly causing him to lose power again on a busy freeway. This time the dealer said the transmission must be replaced. “Transmission failure is a dangerous safety issue,” and the owner wanted a recall put in place.
The owner of a Santa Cruz from Mississippi experienced deceleration in February 2023. “I was nearly hit by oncoming traffic because the vehicle was losing power and I was unable to accelerate.” He was told that the brand-new vehicle needed a new transmission, but it was on backorder and they didn’t know when one would be available.
An owner from Texas experienced jerking when his 2023 Santa Cruz with 19k miles was traveling at 30 mph. It wouldn’t downshift and stay in the higher RPMs. When it did downshift, it lurched badly. The Hyundai Bluelink App notified the owner of a transmission control system problem. He contacted the dealer who said it was okay to drive for five days until he dropped the truck off. “I experienced 2 more instances of a rough downshift in that time.” The dealer claimed not to have seen this issue before but said a transmission replacement was possible. After waiting 50 days for instructions from Hyundai, they replaced the transmission oil pump and did a software update. The owner wasn’t happy and contacted Hyundai America because he has fears of losing drive power.
“Vehicle has 2k miles on it and it experiences a loss of power from a stop when accelerating,” states an owner from Tennessee. “The vehicle shakes as if it is not getting enough gas similar to a manual transmission if you took your foot off the clutch when the vehicle was in 1st gear. It happens about once a week at random times, no codes produced.” Because there are no codes, the dealer won’t do anything.
An owner from Illinois states that the “dual-clutch transmission frequently, though not consistently, malfunctions under acceleration. Typically, when accelerating from a stop, when the transmission shifts from 1st to 2nd gear, the clutch will slip causing a sudden loss of acceleration and shaking of the vehicle. Hyundai calls this a ‘judder.’. This causes a safety issue to myself and others because of the unexpected sudden loss of power.” The dealer performed a “judder test” and said no repairs were needed.
An owner from Ohio states in a complaint dated October 15, 2024, that on three separate occasions, “When accelerating, the engine or power train completely loses all propulsion.” Each time it happened when crossing oncoming traffic or turning onto a highway. Strangely, after 30 to 60 seconds, “full functionality returns as if it never happened.” Even stranger, the dealer found no codes and couldn’t identify the issue.
Another truck stopped shifting correctly at 11,550 miles. It would get stuck in eighth or second gear and shifting into manual mode didn’t work. When the owner reported the P1C2D03 error code, the dealer said it would be an oil pump problem. They fixed the oil pump, but the owner didn’t make it out of the lot before it stumbled and got stuck in second gear again. That was on June 11, 2024. He left the vehicle with the dealer again, but by July 9 he hadn’t heard from them, “and they won’t return my calls.”
An owner from Indiana also had a transmission error while driving and being slowed by traffic. It wouldn’t shift and would just rev. The code was P193B79 — but two dealers maintained there was nothing wrong!
The conversation on Reddit was started by someone keen to buy a 2024 Santa Cruz model, but unsure because of the transmission issues since the 2022 model was launched. Despite owners pointing out that the powertrain recall for 2022 Santa Cruz vehicles was a software issue, an owner of the 2022 model states that his transmission was replaced when it was very new.
“It hesitated from Park pretty much from the time it was new. Tech finally agreed with me and after a lot of testing and hoop-jumping, Hyundai agreed to replace it. Got it back on Friday, September 13, 2024. Drove it less than 3 miles, (the) truck stalled (and) wouldn’t go into gear. Hyundai making (the) dealership jump through the same hoops and now looking at replacing with a third transmission. At this point, I don’t want the truck anymore. I loved the look and utility, but it is no longer safe or reliable.”
The owner of a 2023 Santa Cruz Limited (“turbo of course”) with 10k miles,” is getting its transmission replaced right now. Limp mode, and will not accelerate when stepping on (the) gas. Very dangerous in that condition. The first time it happened (1 month ago) they did the software update. Now, this time, it’s in for replacement. I would stay away from this vehicle. Plenty of horror stories about the transmission on SantaCruz Forums.
When the owner of a 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe had its transmission go out at 1,800 miles, he was provided with a 2024 Santa Cruz on loan. It had only 45 miles on the clock but kept “slipping in 2nd and 3rd gears. The motor has slipped twice. Stay away.”
The owner of a 2023 Santa Cruz Limited describes hearing and feeling a “thud” before the Santa Cruz started having shifting issues. The transmission light was illuminated and the gears would only go between 2 – 4 – 6 with a sluggish response. The vehicle’s diagnostic system reported a possible condition with the transmission control system and recommended “a full system check.”
Another post about a 2023 model states, “It took 3 weeks to get me in to look at my transmission and another 5 weeks to order the parts, tools and whatever other excuse they could come up (with). This is my third Hyundai from the same dealership and will probably be my last. After reading about all of the transmission issues on this forum, I am worried about the longevity of my transmission as well as other major parts of my SC, although I really love the vehicle.”
Here are some more comments:
“My ‘23 limited had its transmission issue at 4,800 miles. Dealer had to order a new one which took about a month.”
“I just had my 2023 limited with roughly 10.5k miles transmission replaced under warranty. No dash lights or codes. It was shuddering and stalling from a start. Took 3 weeks and (I) was given an economy rental while the dealership had it.”
They were lucky. This customer had to wait more than two months for the repair. “Santa Cruz transmission replacement finally completed today. Nov 22, 2023 – Feb 1, 2024.”
If your 2023 or 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz has transmission failure or related problems, Lemberg Law would like to hear from you. You can call our Helpline or fill out a contact form and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can. Please remember that we’re going to need as much information as you can supply to be able to assess your case thoroughly to determine whether you are eligible to join our new class action investigation.
It’s not going to cost you anything because the law states Hyundai must pay the legal bills for lemon law cases.
Brian Jones spent more than 30 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.
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My 2022 SC turned off at 45 mph in torrential rain…2 fuel injectors replaced…I slid through 2 lanes of traffic with no steering, power or brakes…came to a stop on the side of the road. I’ve taken it in several times same symptoms and they “couldn’t duplicate “. No warning lights or anything-complete engine failure and was told it caused no other damage. I saw white smoke under hood and later under tailpipe. I am pissed. This makes 3 times I almost wrecked. I just got it back after they had it 7 weeks and tail lights and turn signals are not working properly. My seat heater in both front seats had bad wiring assembly so they replaced those a couple months prior. I have whip lash and a concussion from this last event so I am not ok with just going home like nothing happened after almost a week in the hospital. I currently am needing therapy, neurology, medications and a driver as I’m not supposedly to drive for 6 months. Still paying car payments, insurance and have not been provided any medical care other than through my own car insurance. I was so excited to be the owner of a brand new vehicle after raising six children. I just thank God my grandson was not in the vehicle this time when it shut off. I am terrified being in a car now and am not getting the treatments I need. Please send help!
With our two year old 2022 Santa Cruz, with approximately 36,000 miles, we started noticing a very strange transmission noise and it wasn’t shifting correctly, especially noticeable at highway speeds. We called to schedule a checkup, and they made an appointment for two weeks in the future. On the day the dealership checked it out, they informed us the transmission would have to be replaced, and they were confidant it would be covered under warranty, and they would let us know when warranty replacement was approved officially. They said in the meantime, we could continue to drive it. We drove it home but were very uncomfortable driving it, knowing transmission failure was likely. For most of the next two months it was parked except for a couple of times when we really had to use it. It took about two weeks for the dealer to let us know it was approved to be covered under warranty. Then it took a very long time for the dealership to get the transmission. As it dragged out for so long, I eventually asked if they had a loaner car, or if Hyundai would pay for a rental. The answer was no. When I was not happy with that answer, I contacted Hyundai customer service and they said I could rent a vehicle if I wanted to, and after my vehicle was repaired I could request reimbursement but they couldn’t guarantee it would be reimbursed. I complained that at this point it had been nearly two months since the dealer service department told us the transmission needed to be replaced and I had been making car payments for these two months on a car that was not reliable. The Hyundai customer service rep offered to reimburse me in the amount of two car payments in a gesture of goodwill. He said after I sent him proof of repair from the dealer and bank info showing I had made my payments, he would send a letter to sign and they would send me the money. I sent the paperwork and received by return email a letter offering one payment instead of two, and it had a clause that I would waive any future lemon law claim in regards to this repair. I refused to sign it. A gesture of goodwill my @$$! Gestures of goodwill don’t come with conditions like that. My car has finally been repaired after two full months. I hope there are no future failures because I really love the vehicle, and it performed amazingly on the snow and ice last year. Did anyone else have such an aggravating experience? Has anyone had a second transmission failure after a warranty covered replacement?
Yep I have a 2022 Santa Cruz and it’s been a problem since the first recall now it loses power randomly. The dealership can’t figure it out. I don’t want the car anymore.
I too have had two separate instances of loss of power, the most recent this last weekend while pulling out of an intersection pulling my boat. I could have been killed.
Misfire on start up. Engine shutting down check engine light. Very dangerous brought back to dealer 6 times for same problem, no fix
I bought a 2022 Santa Cruz, I have a feeling that the 1st owner traded it in for this problem and I have now had the transmission going to be flashed for the third time. Hopefully they can fix it as I really love this vehicle, but every 2 to 3 months having it done is not what I bought it for. Also I hope the transmission is ok, no idea how many times it happened before I owned it. How do I find out how many times this vehicle has been in for this issue.
2023 Santa Cruz SEL Premium yesterday was pulling out from a stop and lost all acceleration of the truck for few seconds and traction signal flashed a bit but I was on dry pavement so guess this is going to be a problem only 2,700 miles on it. Really Really disappointed here!
I have a 2022 Limited Hyundai Santa Cruz and suddenly today the car could and would not accelerate going into the freeway. It was a nightmare for me and my passengers. I got off the freeway and stayed on the back roads to get home. It smells when you turn in the air conditioning and it does not move even when pressing the gas pedal up until the 18-20 mph mark. Very scary and even a train blew the horn at me to move off the train track. Please help. I’m going to schedule an appointment with the dealer as we speak.
Have 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz, Just had recall work completed, and now I have loss of power problems when trying to accelerate.
Transmission is very slow to go into reverse or drive… 2-3 sec delay on a 2022 Santa Cruise turbo
Excellent article Brian, I’m seriously looking at the Hyundai Santa Cruz 2023. Are you aware if these issues be it transmission, engine any and all have been fixed for 2023 ? – Jayme