Hyundai Santa Cruz Lemon Law

The Santa Cruz's signature defect is in its eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT). The transmission's electric oil pump can fault internally — traced to a poorly soldered circuit-board connection at the supplier — which can trip a warning, let the truck drive normally for only 20 to 30 seconds, and then cut motive power as the drive gears disengage. Hyundai recalled roughly 53,000 vehicles across several models, including the 2022 Santa Cruz, to inspect and replace affected transmissions and reprogram the controlling software. Losing power in traffic is a serious safety hazard.

Owners also report other DCT behavior — rough or clunky low-speed shifts, hesitation, and lack of power — along with infotainment and electrical complaints common across Hyundai's lineup. When drivability problems like these keep returning after repairs, the truck can meet California's definition of a lemon.

California's Lemon Law applies when a warranty-covered defect substantially impairs the use, value, or safety of your vehicle and the manufacturer can't repair it within a reasonable number of attempts — or the truck spends too long in the shop. A loss-of-power defect is treated as a serious safety issue, which typically needs fewer failed attempts to qualify. If your Santa Cruz keeps failing, you may be owed a buyback, replacement, or cash settlement, with Hyundai paying your attorney fees.

A recall is not automatically a lemon — it's the manufacturer acknowledging a defect and offering a free repair. California's Lemon Law (the Song-Beverly Act) comes into play when a substantial defect can't be fixed after a reasonable number of attempts, or when your Santa Cruz has been out of service for 30 or more cumulative days.

If your Hyundai Santa Cruz qualifies, you may be entitled to a buyback (a refund of what you've paid, minus a mileage offset), a replacement vehicle, or a cash-and-keep settlement — and Hyundai pays your attorney fees on a successful claim, so pursuing your case costs you nothing out of pocket.