Certain 2022-2023MY Santa Cruz (NXT) vehicles may experience a warning lamp illumination for a diagnostic trouble code P2181 that is related to the Integrated Thermal Management Module (ITM). Follow the service procedure outlined in this bulletin to replace the ITM with a revised part and reprogram the powertrain control module to update the control logic.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz engine problems
moderate 15 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
What stands out
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 3 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This bulletin provides important checkpoint guidelines when performing engine oil and filter change services.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides the diagnostic procedure for the GDI injector(s) in certain 21-23MY Sonata, 21-22MY Santa Fe, certain 22MY Santa Cruz, and certain 21-23MY Tucson equipped with 2.5L GDI engines with one or more misfire DTC(s) due to internally leaking GDI injector(s)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗If you are servicing an 8-speed vehicle with a âCheck Engineâ light on and one or more of the DTC listed, follow the service procedure and replace the related solenoid and harness.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides the diagnostic procedure for the GDI injector(s) in certain 21-23MY Sonata, 21-22MY Santa Fe, certain 22MY Santa Cruz, and certain MY21-23 Tucson equipped with 2.5L GDI engines with one or more misfire DTC(s) due to internally leaking GDI injector(s).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2022 Santa Cruz vehicles report fuel injector failures as the most common engine issue, with symptoms including rough cold starts, cylinder misfires (P0301, P23F5F0), check engine lights, shaking, and loss of power. Replacements of 2–6 injectors occur under warranty, but repairs sometimes fail to resolve the fault on first attempt. Diagnosis and repair timelines stretch to months, with dealers unable to replicate intermittent faults consistently and requiring engine stall-outs to happen in their presence before Hyundai corporate approves repairs. One owner replaced injectors, only to have the same code return within a day; final resolution took multiple service visits over four months.
Engine stutter and complete stalls also appear frequently, sometimes with limp mode activation, occurring within the first 500–1,800 miles. One owner experienced four engine shutdowns in less than 1,800 miles. Transmission issues—loss of power, shift failure, and one complete transmission replacement at 20K miles—are reported alongside engine troubles. Engine knock on cold start after extended driving is noted by two owners of separate vehicles, suggesting a pattern.
Other engine-related failures include a loose oil dipstick seal that sprayed oil throughout the engine bay, and radiator punctures that dealers classify as road damage rather than defects. Owners describe dealer delays for scheduling, lack of loaner vehicles, and refusals to cover out-of-pocket costs (towing, hotels, rentals) until repairs are complete, sometimes stretching service delays indefinitely.
Failure modes owners describe
Fuel Injector Failures
Multiple fuel injectors fail, causing rough cold starts, misfires, and check engine lights. Owners report replacing 2-6 injectors under warranty. The issue persists intermittently after repair on some vehicles, with dealers unable to consistently replicate the fault or secure manufacturer approval for additional diagnostics.
When: 29K miles (complaint #1), under 800 miles (complaint #4), low mileage across fleet per complaint #5
Symptoms owners cite: Rough cold starts; Cylinder misfire (P0301, P23F5F0 codes); Check engine light; Engine shaking and shuddering; Loss of power during acceleration; Inability to accelerate past 25 mph
Codes mentioned: P0301, P23F5F0
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report replacement of 2–6 fuel injectors (high-pressure and low-pressure). One owner waited months and made 5 dealer trips; another repair failed to resolve the DTC on first attempt.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Repairs covered under warranty. However, Hyundai corporate required issue replication before approving repairs, delaying diagnosis and repairs by weeks to months. One owner (#3) reported Hyundai would not reimburse towing, hotel, Uber, or rental costs until full repair completion.
Oil Dipstick Seal Failure
Oil dipstick O-ring seal fails, causing oil to spray throughout the engine bay and undercarriage during normal operation. Dealer attributed failure to a defective dipstick without taking responsibility for the oil contamination or unsafe condition.
When: At 26K miles; discovered after routine oil change and tire rotation
Symptoms owners cite: Burning oil smell; Oil spray throughout engine compartment, undercarriage, wheel wells, brake calipers
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer cleaned engine compartment but did not resolve underlying dipstick seal defect. Owner traded vehicle in due to safety concerns and loss of manufacturer support, resulting in loss of favorable financing (2.74% interest) and equity.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hyundai customer service denied responsibility, instructed owner to drive vehicle despite oil contamination, refused to escalate complaint, and hung up on owner. No recall or TSB mentioned.
Engine Knock on Cold Start
Engine produces audible knock noise on first start-up the day after extended driving, typically after accumulating 100+ miles and then resting. One owner had two consecutive Santa Cruz vehicles with identical symptom; first vehicle was replaced due to 'engine failure.'
When: Under 800 miles on second vehicle (complaint #4); pattern occurs after day of heavy use and overnight rest
Symptoms owners cite: Engine knock on cold start; Knock occurs after rest following extended driving
Repairs/costs cited: No repair outcome stated; owner reports continued issue despite multiple dealer and corporate contacts.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: First vehicle replaced due to stated 'engine failure.' Second vehicle exhibits same symptom; corporate and dealer have not resolved issue.
Engine Stutter and Stall
Engine stutters at idle and random times, and stalls while driving. Vehicle enters limp mode or shuts down completely, requiring restart. Occurs multiple times within first 1,800 miles on one vehicle.
When: First occurrence at less than 500 miles; subsequent stalls at 6/12/2022 and 6/26/2022 (complaint #7); random occurrence (complaint #8)
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stuttering; Engine shaking at idle; Complete engine stall while driving; Limp mode activation; Loss of power and acceleration (shuddering, shimmying); Inability to exceed 25 mph at slow crawl
Codes mentioned: DTC 65312 (Engine Control System fault, complaint #6)
Repairs/costs cited: Complaint #6 (DTC 65312) taken to dealer; dealer could not diagnose root cause. Complaint #7 owner did not report repair attempt. Complaint #8 owner unable to schedule service for weeks.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls, TSBs, or warranty resolutions reported. One complaint mentions dealer unable to find problem (complaint #6).
Transmission Power Loss and Shift Failure
Transmission loses power or fails to shift, leaving vehicle immobilized or unable to accelerate. One vehicle required complete transmission replacement at 20K miles.
When: 20K miles (transmission replacement, complaint #14); complaint #15 does not state mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of vehicle power; Inability to shift transmission manually; Transmission system error messages
Repairs/costs cited: Complaint #14: full transmission replacement performed under warranty at 20K miles. Complaint #15: no repair details provided.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Complaint #14 transmission replaced under warranty. No manufacturer response or TSB mentioned for complaint #15.
Radiator Puncture
Radiator punctures and leaks coolant after exposure to road debris. Dealers deny warranty coverage, citing customer damage or road hazard. One owner notes wide front grill design may allow objects to enter more easily.
When: 13K miles (complaint #13); exact timing not stated for complaint #10
Symptoms owners cite: Coolant leak; Low coolant level; Radiator puncture
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer estimates repair cost not covered under warranty as 'customer damage.' One owner reports dealer attributed puncture to rock strike from road.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers denied warranty coverage on basis of road hazard/customer damage. No recall or TSB mentioned. Owner notes wide grill design may increase susceptibility to debris ingestion.
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Radiator spewing coolant. Had not hit anything only driving on back highway. Dealer stated not warranty customer damage. Happened at 13,000 miles and vehicle less than I year old.
Leaving work my truck started shimmying like I had a flat. I realized I had no power when accelerating and my engine light came on. I wanted to make it home so chanced it in the interstate. Any acceleration under 2000 rpm my whole car shook and shuddered. It even shakes when idling before I shut it off. The dealer said they can’t even schedule it for service for weeks.
Had engine trouble with your 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 15 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2022/Hyundai/Santa Cruz.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.