Hyundai Santa Cruz Limited Displaying Odd Vibration at 6,500 Miles; Dealer Dismisses Issue as Common, but Loaner Car Shakes More Severely than Own Vehicle After Two Unsuccessful Repairs

In the world of compact pickup trucks, the Hyundai Santa Cruz has been making waves, especially with its 2024 and 2025 models. However, one owner, Lee Torriero, has found himself in a less than ideal situation.

Torriero, who purchased a 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz Limited with 6,500 miles on the clock, has been experiencing a persistent vibration issue that worsens over time. This problem is not unique to Torriero, as other Santa Cruz owners have reported similar issues. Some have found smooth rides and no major problems, while others, like Torriero, have encountered vibration problems.

Torriero initially thought the vibration was due to irregular pavement while driving in a quarry. However, he noticed that the cruise control was influencing the braking, and the vibration persisted even when he turned off the assistive helpers. This made the vibration more pronounced.

His first dealership visit resulted in a road-force balance and a dismissal of the issue. Disappointed, Torriero decided to visit another dealership. Unfortunately, the second visit also did not yield a solution. The dealership diagnosed the vibration as an inherent characteristic of the vehicle, but Torriero and his wife, who also experiences the vibration, disagree.

Torriero has reported cases of the 8-speed dual-clutch transmission in the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz going bad, which could potentially contribute to the vibration issue. Online communities and forums also report cases of the DCT failing in Santa Cruz vehicles at around 5,600 miles and dealership visits before 30,000 miles.

Frustrated and without a resolution, Torriero intends to reach out to Hyundai's corporate office about the issue. He may also involve local media and consider a lemon law complaint. The vibration issue has been a significant inconvenience for Torriero, and he did not know he would have to live with a constant vibration when purchasing the vehicle.

Despite these challenges, the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz continues to enjoy moderate success in the U.S., with over 36,000 sales in 2022-23. The 2025 model offers a turbocharged engine option that boosts output to 281 hp and 311 lb-ft torque on upper trims. It also comes with two 2.5-liter engines and towing capability up to 5,000 lbs.

Hyundai is also pursuing a more rugged, body-on-frame pickup in markets like Australia, signaling broader ambitions in the truck space. Let's hope that these ambitions extend to addressing and resolving the issues faced by owners like Torriero.