I Paid $3,000 for a Hyundai Santa Cruz Warranty, But the Dealer Says My Next Transmission Issue Won’t Be Covered Because They Think Aftermarket Wheels Are the Problem

When you buy a vehicle marketed as rugged and ready for adventure, the last thing you expect is to be told your warranty is worthless because you swapped out the wheels. That’s why a post I came across in the “Hyundai Santa Cruz” group on Facebook caught my eye tonight. It came from Edgie Lopez, who explained that after Hyundai replaced the dual-clutch transmission in his 2023 Santa Cruz, the dealer warned him that any future transmission problems would not be covered under warranty because of his aftermarket wheels. Frustrated by what he saw as an unfair denial of coverage, especially since he only used the truck for light commuting and family errands, he ultimately decided to sell it altogether. 

Here’s Edgie explaining it: “Update about my previous issue with my GARBAGE… ohh! I mean my Santa Cruz. They replaced my DCT transmission, but they gave me a warning that if I have another transmission issue, they will not fix it under warranty because of my aftermarket wheels.

They blamed the wheels for why the transmission failed. If it were shocks or suspension, that would make sense. If it were truly abusive wheel replacement, I would understand. If they told me and admitted the DCT technology they used on this truck is defective and not compatible, I would accept that. But not voiding the extended warranty I paid almost $3,000 for—that I cannot accept.

Factory wheel size: 245/50/20, used for 7 months with winter tires. Aftermarket wheel size: 255/60/18, used for 5 months as my summer tires.

This is a 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz Ultimate 2.5L Turbo with 47,000 km. It’s rated at 5,000 lbs towing capacity with off-road capability, according to Hyundai’s posters. It has never been used for towing—just a regular family vehicle with two adults, one child, weekend commutes, and a 7 km drive to work every day. The heaviest load it’s carried has been groceries.

My 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz Ultimate ‘Garbage’ is now SOLD. I don’t want to keep paying for garbage. Good luck to all of you running aftermarket wheels.”

Edgie’s frustration is clear because he wasn’t running oversized wheels that dramatically change drivetrain stress, nor was he towing or off-roading. Yet despite paying thousands for an extended warranty, he felt like Hyundai was looking for a way to sidestep responsibility. 

Warranty Disputes and Aftermarket Parts

What makes this story especially frustrating is that aftermarket wheels are a common upgrade. They’re not typically viewed as voiding powertrain warranties unless they significantly alter load ratings or driveline geometry. In Edgie’s case, the swap from factory 20-inch wheels to 18-inch wheels with slightly taller tires isn’t extreme. It actually raises the question: was this really the cause of transmission failure? Or simply a convenient scapegoat?

It’s a debate that ties into broader conversations around Hyundai reliability. We’ve already seen owners share stories about paying too much for gas and maintenance on their Hyundai Santa Cruz before deciding to trade it in for a used 2023 model. Edgie’s experience adds to the idea that ownership costs can extend well beyond fuel and oil changes, as sometimes the toughest bills come when warranty promises aren’t honored.

Other Owners Share Their Experiences

Not surprisingly, Edgie’s post drew strong reactions from fellow Santa Cruz drivers.

Bryan Wilkerson had one of the harshest stories, saying: “I had the transmission replaced 3 times on a factory 2022 Turbo. The dealership is full of crap. The transmissions in the Santa Cruz are garbage. And even after the 3rd transmission it was still having problems. The vehicle would also go into limp mode and only get up to 25-30 mph. They replaced the fuel injectors, O2 sensors, and wiring harness for the fuel system at my cost saying that was the problem. It wasn't. Would still go into limp mode almost daily.”

Bryan’s experience shows just how deep the reliability concerns with Hyundai’s DCT can run. His problems were about a fundamental weakness in the design, not about wheels or modifications. And the fact that dealerships replaced parts at his cost while never fully solving the issue only adds to the frustration.

Then there’s Tammy Murray, who chimed in with her own battle: “I feel your pain. My wheels were out of alignment and had been since the day I bought it new. I took some plants home from the nursery and there was dirt in the truck bed when I took the truck in, and they said it was because I had too much weight in the back of my truck that I messed up the wheel alignment. Warranties are kind of a joke these days.”

Her comment underscores another troubling trend: warranty denials often come with flimsy explanations. In Tammy’s case, simply hauling plants in the bed was twisted into a reason to deny proper alignment coverage. It shows how quickly the burden shifts from the manufacturer to the owner, even for normal use. We’ve covered similarly gutting experiences in other Hyundai models too, like drivers who loved their Hyundai Kona until the engine blew after just two years, leaving them full of regret.

On the opposite end of the spectrum though, Andrew Daigle offered a more positive note: “I have just cracked 60k miles on my 2024 2.5L Night with no issues whatsoever. I just bought new tires (Hankook) from my dealer. I'm doing the full dealer experience on everything, so if I have issues, they can’t blame anything on me.”

Andrew’s approach shows the mindset of owners who stick with dealer-installed parts and services, willingly paying more to shield themselves from warranty disputes. It’s less about saving money and more about buying peace of mind. That's even if it means giving up a bit of independence.

Technical Background: Hyundai DCT and Reliability

Hyundai’s 8-speed dual-clutch transmission has been a sore point in several models. Unlike traditional automatics, DCTs are more sensitive to driving conditions, load, and even tire size changes. But blaming modest aftermarket wheels feels like an overreach when so many reports point to systemic reliability concerns.

Hyundai has already faced criticism on other engines and drivetrains, with owners admitting they trusted Hyundai’s reputation until their engine failed at 82,000 miles. These stories stack up into a worrying trend. They’re not proof that every Hyundai will suffer these problems, but they highlight that the brand’s reliability reputation has taken real hits in recent years. For buyers spending over $40,000 on a Santa Cruz Ultimate, that’s not a small concern.

As I look at Edgie’s experience, I think it captures the frustration so many modern vehicle owners feel. Cars today are packed with advanced technology, yet those same features sometimes create new failure points that didn’t exist in simpler drivetrains. And when things go wrong, manufacturers seem quick to point fingers rather than own the problem. To me, the real issue here is the erosion of trust. When you pay thousands for an extended warranty, you expect a safety net and not a technicality that can be used against you.

Key Takeaways for Readers

• Aftermarket parts may give dealers an excuse to deny warranty coverage, even if they don’t logically cause the failure. Owners need to weigh the risks before modifying their vehicles.
• Hyundai’s DCT reliability has been questioned across multiple models, and this story adds another layer of doubt.
• Document everything with your dealership. Whether it’s receipts, service records, or communication, having proof can help if disputes arise.
• Some owners avoid issues by sticking to dealer-installed parts, though this often means higher costs for tires, maintenance, and accessories.
• Warranty protection is only as strong as the dealer’s willingness to honor it. Don’t assume paying extra guarantees smooth coverage.

Your Thoughts Matter

What do you think about Hyundai blaming aftermarket wheels for a transmission failure? 

Are dealerships just being cautious? Or are they looking for excuses to limit warranty costs?

Let me know what you think in our comments section below. 

Aram Krajekian is a young automotive journalist bringing a fresh perspective to his coverage of the evolving automotive landscape. Follow Aram on X and LinkedIn for daily news coverage about cars.

Image Sources: The “Hyundai Santa Cruz” public Facebook group.