HyundaiSanta Cruz2022Overview/hyundai/santa-cruz/2022/base/

2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2022 Santa Cruz.

Transmission Automatic (AM-S8)

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz is a compact pickup built on a unibody platform, featuring an 8-speed automatic transmission (AM-S8) and requiring 6.13 quarts of engine oil with a 0W-20 or 0W-30 viscosity specification for maintenance. The vehicle achieves EPA fuel economy ratings of 19 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined, positioning it competitively in its segment for efficiency. According to reliability data, the 2022 model year recorded 177 total owner complaints across its powertrain and other systems, with 4 recalls issued—the highest complaint count in the model's history spanning 2022-2026, indicating this inaugural model year experienced notably more issues than subsequent years.

Model year20262025202420232022

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.13 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20 / 0W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque79.0-94.0 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy19/27/22 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 263312J000. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Tire size245/50R20 102VOEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter263312J000 alt 263502S001
Fuel filter31112L1000
Spark plug1887509085
Front wiper blades00F09AU016HY alt 98350G8000
Serpentine belt252122S150
Cabin air filterKLC79AC001

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AM-S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length195.7 in
Overall width75.2 in
Overall height66.5 in
Wheelbase118.5 in
Curb weight4101 lb
Track (front / rear)64.6 / 65 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined19 / 27 / 22 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Santa Cruz of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.0–6.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.00 sec — 2022 Limited HTRAC (4'4.1" Bed)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2022Limited HTRAC (4'4.1" Bed) 2.5L Turbo I-46.00 sec14.50 sec281 hpAWD
2022Limited HTRAC (4'4.1" Bed) 2.5L Turbo I-46.00 sec14.50 sec281 hpAWD
2022SEL Premium HTRAC (4'4.1" Bed) 2.5L Turbo I-46.00 sec14.50 sec281 hpAWD
2022Limited HTRAC (4'4.1" Bed) 2.5L Turbo I-46.20 sec14.70 sec281 hpAWD
2022Limited HTRAC (4'4.1" Bed) 2.5L Turbo I-46.30 sec14.90 sec281 hpAWD
2025XRT 2.5T HTRAC (4'4.1" Bed) 2.5L Turbo I-46.50 sec14.90 sec281 hpAWD
2025XRT 2.5T HTRAC (4'4.1" Bed) 2.5L Turbo I-46.60 sec15.00 sec281 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.13 qt of 0W-20 / 0W-30 engine oil, API · GL-5 · 75W-85 in the differential. Torque lug nuts to 79.0-94.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity6.8 qt
Differential Gear OilAPI · GL-5 · 75W-85
Differential Gear Oil Capacity0.56-0.67 Qts.
Engine OilSynthetic · 0W-20 · 0W-30
Engine Oil Capacity6.13 qt
Transfer Case FluidGL-5 · 75W-85

Engine torques

Cylinder Head InstructionsMS721
Cylinder Head InstructionsMS721
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts36.0
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs14.0-17.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts79.0-94.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.27-1.38 lbs.
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Capacity3.18-3.88 oz.

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque28.0-30.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque72.0-87.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor Torque6.3
Minimum Pad Thickness0.079" in
Solid Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.102; Rear: 0.315
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation0.0006"
Maximum Rotor Runout0.002"

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
1M6 Bolts3.6–5.75 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1130-138 ft. lbs., step 2: 180-190130–138 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
124.0-27.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90-94°, Step 3: 110-114°24–27 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
142.0-45.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 100-104°, Step 3: 100-104°42–45 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 48,000 mi; coolant every 24,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 24,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 5,000 miIntercooler (inspect)
At 8,000 miCabin Air Filter (inspect)
Every 8,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect)
Every 16,000 miBrake Pedal Assembly (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Cabin Air Filter (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect)
Every 20,000 miIntercooler (inspect)
Every 24,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 32,000 miDifferential (inspect fluid level) · Rack & Pinion Assembly (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 48,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 48,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz tops the federal record with 177 complaints, 4 recalls, and 60 TSBs, while no earlier model-year data is shown and every subsequent year through 2026 reports far fewer complaints and TSBs. Recalls are more variable afterward—falling to 1 in 2024, then rising to 3 in both 2025 and 2026—so 2022 represents the generation’s peak reported-issue year rather than part of a sustained upward trend. It sits at the high point of the complaint arc, consistent with an introductory model year, with power-train-related categories accounting for the largest share: 47 power train, 14 power train/engine, and 12 engine complaints, though the data does not specify a common root cause. Crash and fire complaints are low in absolute terms at 4 and 1, respectively, but the overall volume of powertrain and “unknown or other” reports points to early-build items worth verifying in service records. Because 2023 and 2024 examples show markedly lower complaint and TSB counts, a 2022 is likely the riskiest year in this generation from a reported-failure standpoint. It is not the strongest buy unless priced accordingly and its maintenance history addresses the listed powertrain and TSB activity; buyers prioritizing reliability should lean toward a 2023 or 2024.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
60
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
177
Owner complaints
4 involved a crash · 1 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 177 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train47
Unknown Or Other18
Power Train,Engine14
Engine12
Exterior Lighting7
Electrical System6
Fuel/Propulsion System5
Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

22V197000Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Turbo/SuperchargerReported 28/03/2022

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Santa Fe and Santa Cruz vehicles. The oil supply pipe to the turbocharger may crack, which could result in an oil leak in the engine compartment. Remedy: Dealers will replace the turbocharger oil supply pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 26, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at…

22V746000Power Train:Automatic TransmissionReported 06/10/2022

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 60 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
26-AT-005H TSB2026-06-04Power TrainThis bulletin provides information related to a Transmission Control Unit (TCU) software…
DTN DL2026-04-10Air BagsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of…
DTN DCS2026-04-10Air BagsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety…
26-01-028H2026-03-16Power TrainCertain Santa Cruz (NXT) vehicles equipped with 8-speed dual clutch transmissions (8DCT)…
26-AT-001H TSB2026-03-03Power TrainSome Santa Cruz (NXT), Santa Fe (TMA, MX5A), and Sonata (DN8A) models may require…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Santa Cruz. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2022 Santa Cruz take?

6.13 qt of GDI: Full Synthetic 0W-20 SN Plus/SP or ILSAC GF-6; T-GDI: Full Synthetic 0W-30 SN Plus/ SP or ILSAC GF-6, per the factory manual.

Does the 2022 Santa Cruz have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Santa Cruz get?

EPA figures are 19 city / 27 highway / 22 combined mpg.