Hyundai Santa Cruz won't shift problems

Filed Nov 5, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · OH

Vehicle intermittently drops into a “Limp Mode” while driving. Speed becomes restricted at 20 mph and engine RPM locks at 2000 RPM. Cannot accelerate when pressing on gas pedal. No engine lights come on when this occurs. Turning ignition off and restarting temporarily resets the computer and clears speed cap. Has happened 4 times since purchased. Has strong coolant smell and occasionally rotten egg smell. This is a safety hazard! Dealership has offered no solution other than if it happens again to pull over, call tow truck, leave car running and get it to them. Opened complaint with corporate. No help. I am afraid to drive my car. This could cause a major accident and harm myself or others. Asked dealership if they could contact an engineer and was told no.

Filed Jan 9, 2025 · Acceleration, Fuel system · CT

My 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz, which I bought new, has gone into limp mode twice in 8 months, losing power while I was driving and letting me go no faster than 25 MPH. The first time, in April 2024, I was on [XXX] in Hartford CT. I called 911 because I was certain I would be hit by a car. There was no warning lights to indicate a problem. I was able to get off the highway and had it towed to Meriden Hyundai in Meriden CT. They said they could find nothing wrong. On [XXX], my vehicle went into limp mode again. I was able to drive it to the same dealer since I work nearby. Again, they say they can't find the cause. I have been without a vehicle since then. The car is a danger to drive, and Hyundai has not resolved the matter, though I've been in contact with corporate representatives. Limp mode has caused many crashed across the country. It is designed to protect a car from a mechanical problem - but the system itself puts drivers at great risk. My hope is the NTSB will investigate my case and this national problem before more people are injured or killed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 19, 2024 · Transmission · IA

First shift issue, no warning lights present, was able to get to dealer they hooked up computer and reset/restart vehicle and told me I probably hit gas and brake at same time and it was probably in limp mode. Month later went to store just fine, got back in my vehicle and check engine light was on, shift issues, was told to keep driving for over 2 weeks till they had available appointment, during that time battery died and check engine light went off but shift issues were still there and they had to drive it I believe they said 60 miles to get light to come back on so hyundai would approve transmission replacement. After that finally got replaced and I put almost 4k miles on their rental (yeah... took a while). I was back in less than a week before service transmission immediately indicator comes on, again got to my destination fine, got back in vehicle and I'm on my way back in the dealer again. I was told I was the third transmission back in to get replaced again after a week of being on the road. but wait, battery dies again, warning lights gone and they give back the vehicle. They were nice enough to offer me 10k less than what I purchased it for 6 months ago.

Filed Aug 23, 2024 · Transmission · WA

A check engine light illuminated and the transmission system malfunctioned. Vehicle lost acceleration and would not shift until RPM was over 3k. It also would not allow manual or paddle shifting. Reviewed recalls and saw there is one for possible need of transmission replacement. I contacted the dealership and they said all recall work was addressed (transmission has never been replaced). They may have changed a part and updated a computer related to this recall but they were ADAMANT my recall had already been addressed. They made noise like I needed to pay for diagnostics. I took the car to an independent shop and paid them to diagnose as I was hesitant the dealer was being 100% honest with me. As it turn out YES. The transmission has failed and needs to be replaced. They provided me with the documentation showing this issue is recall related. (38,000 miles). My concern is that dealerships may mislead customers about this recall and cause possible dangerous conditions.

Filed Jul 9, 2024 · Transmission · WA

Truck stopped shifting corrrectly with 11550 miles. Would get stuck in 8th gear or 2nd gear. Shifting into manual mode produced no response. I brought it to the dealer 6/12 and upon receiving the P1c2d03 code, they told me it would be a hp oil pump. Looking the issue up, it seems the 2022's had this issue and required a new trans, not oil pump. A week later (6/20) dealer ship calls and says it's fixed with the oil pump. I go to collect my truck and don't make it out of the lot before it stumbles and gets stuck in 2nd gear again. Left it with the dealer again, but haven't heard anything since, and they won't return my calls. Currently 7/9 with no response.

Filed Jun 29, 2024 · Engine · MN

Instrument Panel said Navigation system had failed and to check the front sensor. Then the car went into limp mode and infotainment screen displayed - “A possible condition with your Engine Control System has been detected. A full system check is recommended to be done soon. Please contact you local dealership to schedule an appointment.” DTC 65312 was logged by the car. Took to dealer, they couldn't find the problem.

Filed Jun 4, 2024 · Transmission · IN

so it seems that recall the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V746000 also effects 2023 santa cruz with the dct. While driving got transmission error on gauge once slowed by traffic vehicle would not shift and would just rev, after almost being hit by another car. figure out if you let it rev and then let off gas pedal car would upshift. But this was done by trial and error. this has happened 3 times and first 2 dealer says nothing wrong. code was p193b79. I think the recall to fix these transmissions should be expanded to 2023 and probably 2024 cars.

Filed Apr 22, 2024 · Engine · VA

Our 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz SE had a loss of engine power while attempting to accelerate into traffic after stopping at an intersection four times since purchase in November 2023. The engine did not go above idle for approximately 15 seconds while the gas pedal was pressed half way down. The vehicle barely moved into the road and then gained power after what seemed to be the same as limp mode. No codes were set, no warning lights, no unusual noises or vibrations. Vehicle runs great at all other times. These vehicles were recalled in 2022 for a faulty transmission pump and software that caused this issue. Why does Hyundai still allow it for a 2024 model? Also, the backup camera stays on when driving forward now. We have the vehicle at the dealership awaiting their feedback

Filed Mar 28, 2024 · KY

Vehicle goes into limp mode not allowing you to go over 25 miles per hour. Happens randomly and unexpectedly causing you to about be rear ended. Once you pull over and shut vehicle off and restart it is normally ok for an unknown period of time

Filed Feb 9, 2023 · Engine, Transmission · MI

The car has 1,360 miles and is only a month old since I bought it. Car sat for 8 hours at my work parking lot. When I went to start it it ran rough like an engine misfire for about 10 seconds then normal. When I drove off with engine cold... the transmission would not shift up and was at 4,000 rpms. The accelerator pedal was not responsive.. even flooring it yielded no acceleration and the car would not go over 25mph. No check engine lights or trouble lights. I was able to put the automatic into paddle shift mode but the car still did not want to accelerate and when it did it seemed to get stuck at 3500-4000 rpm and no accelerator input. Shut the car off then back on again after I pulled over because the car would not accelerate. - now it is fine with no issues it seems like. Took to the dealer and they could not recreate the issue .. no trouble codes or open flash information available for a fix.