Our Trucks Have Issues. Looking At Others, Maybe Not So Bad

[Dr. Zaius]

So we all know the common issues that are lurking on here, with the transmission being the biggest boogieman.

Sometimes it makes you think it might be a good idea to cut bait and grab something else.

A while back I looked at the Hyundai Santa Cruz as it appeared to be a reincarnation of my old beloved Subaru Baja Turbo.

It was nice enough I guess but not quite there.

Anyway, a local dealer had a new Santa Cruz Limited that was loaded with everything for a significant discount off MSRP ($5k+) and my truck still has tradein value that is close to what I paid for it 4 years ago.

So I decided to research the Santa Cruz just as a thought experiment.

Wow. There are approximately 4x as many new Rangers on the road as there are Santa Cruz (Santa Cruzes? Santas Cruz?), yet their forums have MANY more instances of complete failures of the transmission.

The DCT was supposedly fixed by a recall but many have had failures after the recall and with production dates after the factory fix.

One Youtube vlogger with a Santa Cruz used to sing the praises of it. Now his transmission has completely failed at 23k miles. He says that if he knew then what he knows now he would've never bought one with the DCT. Even the new transmission has clunky, jerky shifting that doesn't seem to bode well for longevity.

Other common issues are with the radiator being easily damaged by rocks and road debris ($2k and not covered by warranty), overheating due to the electric thermostat failing ($250 thermostat), entertainment system randomly going completely blank (remove and reinsert fuse into the amp under the driver seat to fix), going into Limp mode and limiting speed to 20-30mph (various causes), and the tailgate falling open while driving (?!?!?).

Needless to say, my interest in a Santa Cruz has waned a bit, regardless of the discount.

I realize that forums are a limited subset of actual owners, but the subsets for their forum vs this one is likely similar.

Maybe Subaru will eventually step up and release a new Baja.

Edit: I checked into the resale values of a Santa Cruz and it's one of the worst vehicles for resale.

A 2023 loaded Limited with 16k miles has the same trade in as my 2019 with 28k miles. Both had similar MSRP.

Hmmm...

Still, I wish they'd sell that one so that I'd stop looking at it ?

Hey! Maybe you know someone looking for one!

Go get it and remove it from my browser history!

2024 Santa Cruz Limited

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[Grumpaw]

Haven't looked or compared, but....neighbor 1 door down from me has a 2022, and their on the 3rd engine...total block replacement for cracked block. It's the wife's daily driver, and she loves it. But if anything else happens, it's gonna go bye bye.

 

[pismo1]

Haven't looked or compared, but....neighbor 1 door down from me has a 2022, and their on the 3rd engine...total block replacement for cracked block. It's the wife's daily driver, and she loves it. But if anything else happens, it's gonna go bye bye.

Ranger or Hyundai?

 

[Dr. Zaius]

Ranger or Hyundai?

I'm gonna guess the Hyundai.

The Theta II 4 cylinder engines have a reputation for spitting connecting rods out the side of the block.

Supposedly resolved in 2020, but maybe not?

How To Tell If Your Theta II Engine Might Fail

 

[Grumpaw]

Ranger or Hyundai?

It's a Hyundai Santa Cruz.
Should add....both times the block was replaced without any problem from the dealer....no second guessing or holding back from them...
Replaced under the total warranty, took about 10 days to order/receive/install the block.

They initally asked me about my Ranger, likes, dislikes, ect...even drove it around. But it was for the wife who just needed a putt-putt for daily and her gardening stuff and Ranger was just too big for her use. They looked at the Maverick, but she just liked the Hyundai styling more.

 

[Buckbull]

the santa cruz can come with a regular transmission or the dual clutch. I think most of the transmission issues are coming from the dual clutch.

 

[Dr. Zaius]

the santa cruz can come with a regular transmission or the dual clutch. I think most of the transmission issues are coming from the dual clutch.

They are.

But the non-turbo version is quite gutless and a complete bore.

Supposedly a refresh of the Santa Cruz is coming for 2025.

Maybe they'll do away with the DCT.

This is not a Santa Cruz, but the styling is supposed to be similar to what the Santa Cruz will be updated to.

Hey! They made it 30 miles!

 

[JimG_AZ]

I wonder how Hyundai can stay profitable with those types of warranty repairs.

 

[TJC]

There is a plague of poor quality and bad design decisions forced on all automakers by Gov mandates. The only way around this FUBAR situation is to keep an older auto running in tiptop shape. Best to keep one in the stable at all times. One never knows when the ECO/E.S.G/D.I.E. insanity will finally be put to rest, but expect more of the same until it runs its course.

Things won't settle down until sound engineering principles, job dedication to excellence, honesty, integrity, and a genuine spiritual awakening, take their rightful place in society again.

And this may be a long time coming, as this won't happen until our society hits rock bottom. They didn't call them the "Roaring 20's" for nothing. Then compare the decades of the 30's - the 50's.

Our society has been in descent for decades now and we are staring down an imminent waterfall event. I've been observing this unfolding event for 50 years as it slowly gained momentum, and I think I will live to see that waterfall event. I probably will not live through the coming chaos to see the correction. Too bad. I hate not seeing the ending of a movie!

My advice, purchase a 2012 or earlier auto in pristine condition and enjoy the reliability and simplicity of the design (Some brands can go as new as 2017 such as Mazda). Spend the $$ it takes to get it into new condition, and maintain it. You will be rewarded with an auto you can trust not to leave you on the roadside, or cost you multiple thousands in repair bills.

My 2005 4.0 V6 Ranger has proven itself, as have the 2.3l Rangers. Parts and insurance are cheap and I can maintain it myself. I am keeping it for the long haul.

I know the mid 2000 V8 Crown Vics/Mercurys (2nd generation) were extremely reliable. But there are many other brands/models to choose from.

Choose carefully.

 

[Jhbryaniv]

So we all know the common issues that are lurking on here, with the transmission being the biggest boogieman.

Sometimes it makes you think it might be a good idea to cut bait and grab something else.

A while back I looked at the Hyundai Santa Cruz as it appeared to be a reincarnation of my old beloved Subaru Baja Turbo.

It was nice enough I guess but not quite there.

Anyway, a local dealer had a new Santa Cruz Limited that was loaded with everything for a significant discount off MSRP ($5k+) and my truck still has tradein value that is close to what I paid for it 4 years ago.

So I decided to research the Santa Cruz just as a thought experiment.

Wow. There are approximately 4x as many new Rangers on the road as there are Santa Cruz (Santa Cruzes? Santas Cruz?), yet their forums have MANY more instances of complete failures of the transmission.

The DCT was supposedly fixed by a recall but many have had failures after the recall and with production dates after the factory fix.

One Youtube vlogger with a Santa Cruz used to sing the praises of it. Now his transmission has completely failed at 23k miles. He says that if he knew then what he knows now he would've never bought one with the DCT. Even the new transmission has clunky, jerky shifting that doesn't seem to bode well for longevity.

Other common issues are with the radiator being easily damaged by rocks and road debris ($2k and not covered by warranty), overheating due to the electric thermostat failing ($250 thermostat), entertainment system randomly going completely blank (remove and reinsert fuse into the amp under the driver seat to fix), going into Limp mode and limiting speed to 20-30mph (various causes), and the tailgate falling open while driving (?!?!?).

Needless to say, my interest in a Santa Cruz has waned a bit, regardless of the discount.

I realize that forums are a limited subset of actual owners, but the subsets for their forum vs this one is likely similar.

Maybe Subaru will eventually step up and release a new Baja.

A turbo/hybrid baja might have me back in a subaru as a daily...

I do love that subaru AWD system. ?

But the NA platforms are just so dang gutless, we have a NA outback from 2018.when we were in Florida I knew it was weak, but up here that thing is slower than dogshit. She now regrets not getting the xt or 3.6 outback for a few grand more...

 

[Buckbull]

There is a plague of poor quality and bad design decisions forced on all automakers by Gov mandates. The only way around this FUBAR situation is to keep an older auto running in tiptop shape. Best to keep one in the stable at all times. One never knows when the ECO/E.S.G/D.I.E. insanity will finally be put to rest, but expect more of the same until it runs its course.

Things won't settle down until sound engineering principles, job dedication to excellence, honesty, integrity, and a genuine spiritual awakening, take their rightful place in society again.

And this may be a long time coming, as this won't happen until our society hits rock bottom. They didn't call them the "Roaring 20's" for nothing. Then compare the decades of the 30's - the 50's.

Our society has been in descent for decades now and we are staring down an imminent waterfall event. I've been observing this unfolding event for 50 years as it slowly gained momentum, and I think I will live to see that waterfall event. I probably will not live through the coming chaos to see the correction. Too bad. I hate not seeing the ending of a movie!

My advice, purchase a 2012 or earlier auto in pristine condition and enjoy the reliability and simplicity of the design (Some brands can go as new as 2017 such as Mazda). Spend the $$ it takes to get it into new condition, and maintain it. You will be rewarded with an auto you can trust not to leave you on the roadside, or cost you multiple thousands in repair bills.

My 2005 4.0 V6 Ranger has proven itself, as have the 2.3l Rangers. Parts and insurance are cheap and I can maintain it myself. I am keeping it for the long haul.

I know the mid 2000 V8 Crown Vics/Mercurys (2nd generation) were extremely reliable. But there are many other brands/models to choose from.

Choose carefully.

My 2023 ranger tremor is the first vehicle i have ever paid for an extended warranty. I'd most likely buy a warranty on any purchase from now on. Always could do wrenching on my rigs but the cost of parts anymore is out of sight.

 

[Grandaccess]

I want to go back to my 2006 ford explorer 4x4 eddie bauer I got 284k carefree miles out of (I have had two of them same year, same color. same miles) and it got around 20 MPG too, and it was a lot TF more comfortable too! and it towed a lot better too ...
If I look around for an older one someone hasnt put many miles on I will buy it!

 

[LawnMM]

Grass is always greener...

 

[TJC]

Grass is always greener...

Not this time around for me.

 

[Dr. Zaius]

Grass is always greener...

Except for the Santa Cruz it appears that it has just been fertilized and is full of...

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