HyundaiSanta Cruz2023Overview/hyundai/santa-cruz/2023/base/

2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2023 Santa Cruz.

Transmission Automatic (AM-S8)

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz is a mechanically defined model-year entry, pairing an automatic (AM-S8) transmission with EPA fuel-economy ratings of 19/27/22 mpg and an engine-oil service spec of 6.13 quarts of 0W-20 or 0W-30 API SN. Within the 20222026 complaint record, the 2023 model has drawn 76 owner complaints, with Power Train flagged as the top concern and two recalls on file. That sits it just after the 2022 launch year, which generated the highest complaint volume at 177, and well above the later low of 4 reported for 2026, so researchers should read it as an early-build model carrying a meaningful—but not peak—share of the model’s reported powertrain issues.

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-30 API SNOEM · 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 size245/60R18 105HOEM · 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.

6.0–6.6 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 API SN engine oil, 75W-85 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 4 · DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 79.0-94.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 4 · DOT 4
Differential Gear Oil75W-85 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity0.56-0.67 Qts.
Engine OilSynthetic · 0W-20 · API · 0W-30
Engine Oil Capacity6.13 qt
Transfer Case Fluid75W-85 · GL-5

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 Capacity1.26-1.37 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Capacity3.17-3.88 oz

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1130-138 ft. lbs., step 2: 180-190130–138 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 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz shows a marked improvement over its 2022 predecessor, with complaints falling from 177 to 76 and recalls dropping from four to two. Complaint volumes continue to decline in 2024 to 34 before a modest rise to 17 in 2025 and a low of four in 2026, indicating an overall downward trend across the generation. Recall frequency follows a similar pattern, decreasing from four in 2022 to two in 2023, then to one in 2024 before stabilizing at three in 2025 and 2026. In 2023 the most cited complaint areas were Power Train (17), Engine (8), Electrical System (4), and Unknown/Other (4). Taken together, the data place the 2023 model at a point of improving reliability, making it a reasonable used‑car choice, though later model years exhibit even lower complaint rates.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
44
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
76
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 3 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 76 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train17
Engine8
Electrical System4
Unknown Or Other4
Power Train,Engine3
Trailer Hitches3
Structure2
Air Bags2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

23V038000Structure:Body:Roof And PillarsReported 31/01/2023

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Tucson and 2022-2023 Santa Cruz vehicles. The roof moldings may detach. Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace, or secure the roof moldings, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 30, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai…

23V181000Trailer HitchesReported 17/03/2023

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Santa Fe, 2021-2023 Santa Fe HEV, 2022-2023 Santa Fe Plug-in HEV and Santa Cruz vehicles potentially equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original… Remedy: Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is completed. Dealers will install a new fuse and wire extension kit as necessary, free…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 44 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
26-AT-005H TSB2026-06-04Power TrainThis bulletin provides information related to a Transmission Control Unit (TCU) software…
26-GI-002H TSB2026-05-27Electrical SystemThis bulletin provides information related to the navigation and head unit 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)…

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 2023 Santa Cruz take?

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

Does the 2023 Santa Cruz have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 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.