[john316]

i call hyundai today will give me case number told them the headlights are very poor unable to see at night / need led lights as i live in nevada and dot are not painting lines on the road anymore they are using reflective dots not safe to see with the weak headlights . so if you guys call and have the same problem they will do a factory recall like they did on the tonneau cover . phone number is 1 800 633 5151

 

[GTAcruz]

IIHS results for low and high

Upper trims rated “good”
Lower trims rated “poor”

 

[John gauthier]

If enough people call they will respond and could replace

 

[James lee]

I am picking up mine on end of November.
I will Make a call for sure. Can't belive hyundai put halogen light on new model.
Most company now comes with standard.

 

[Walking Black Bear]

Can't belive hyundai put halogen light on new model.
Most company now comes with standard.

Actually, MOST new vehicles, outside of the upper/top trim levels, still use halogen projector headlights. They use it as a selling point to push people into higher and more profitable trim levels. Standard practice. Very few offer standard LED lighting from base models all the way up.

 

[zroger73]

The lower 2016-2020 Ridgeline trims had terrible halogen headlights that received the lowest possible rating in IIHS tests. The upper trims had outstanding LED low beams that received the IIHS's highest possible rating. Revised LED low beams became standard on all trims of the Ridgeline for 2021, but the new design received the second lowest rating which is also preventing the Ridgeline from qualifying as an IIHS Top Safety Pick.

Lots of automobiles have inadequate lighting, but it's good enough to meet outdated illumination requirements so there's never a recall. Many owners take it upon themselves to modify the headlights using alternative light sources such as LED and HID in an attempt to improve their ability to see at night. Unfortunately, this is often at the expense of blinding oncoming traffic. Our lighting laws are way past due for updates.

I can almost guarantee that despite their poor illumination, the Santa Cruz's headlights meet or exceed Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and no recall will ever be issued.

Having said that, there was a recall on a 1999 Buick Regal I once owned related to insufficient overhead sign illumination. The solution was to replace the low beam bulbs with a revised bulb. I never noticed any deficiency in this regard nor did I notice any difference in lighting after the recall performed. In fact, the replacement bulbs were the same brand, type, and wattage as the originals.

 

[j.roman]

Switching out the bulbs should remedy the issue. Here is one that has been recommended and compatible:

Amazon.com: Fahren 9005/HB3 LED Headlight Bulbs, 60W 12000 Lumens Super Bright LED Headlights Conversion Kit 6500K Cool White IP68 Waterproof, Pack of 2 : Automotive

Buy Fahren 9005/HB3 LED Headlight Bulbs, 60W 12000 Lumens Super Bright LED Headlights Conversion Kit 6500K Cool White IP68 Waterproof, Pack of 2: Headlight & Tail Light Conversion Kits - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[Willowtalk]

I have the preferred tread with the halogen lights and mine seem to work alright not as good as my terrain with the LED lights it had but i can still see but i will be swapping these bulb out for LED and LED turn single as it just looks weird with the yellow and white lights but i do find it really weird that every other light on the Santa Cruz is LED im not sure why they didnt just go the extra mile and use the same headlight housing on all trims

 

[zroger73]

Switching out the bulbs should remedy the issue. Here is one that has been recommended and compatible:

Amazon.com: Fahren 9005/HB3 LED Headlight Bulbs, 60W 12000 Lumens Super Bright LED Headlights Conversion Kit 6500K Cool White IP68 Waterproof, Pack of 2 : Automotive

Buy Fahren 9005/HB3 LED Headlight Bulbs, 60W 12000 Lumens Super Bright LED Headlights Conversion Kit 6500K Cool White IP68 Waterproof, Pack of 2: Headlight & Tail Light Conversion Kits - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Note that the use of LED's or HID bulbs in headlights designed for incandescent bulbs is illegal for use on public roads in the US.

 

[HSC4ME]

I can almost guarantee that despite their poor illumination, the Santa Cruz's headlights meet or exceed Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and no recall will ever be issued.

Note that the use of LED's or HID bulbs in headlights designed for incandescent bulbs is illegal for use on public roads in the US.

^THIS^

I bought my SEL and immediately drove about 1800 miles home, much of it in the dark. Not a single complaint from me about the lighting on the lower level models. 🤷‍♂️

 

[JMII]

I can almost guarantee that despite their poor illumination, the Santa Cruz's headlights meet or exceed Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and no recall will ever be issued.

Exactly.

i do find it really weird that every other light on the Santa Cruz is LED im not sure why they didnt just go the extra mile and use the same headlight housing on all trims

As mentioned above this is an upsell tacit - what the nicer / better lights? Gotta get the more expensive model. Same goes for wheels, stereo, etc. Typical across all brands of vehicles.

I guess the real question here is can you buy the LED housings and swap the entire headlamp. This is likely down to if the connector is the same between the LED and halogen units. Per the service manual you have to pull the bumper off to replace the headlamp units.

 

[Walking Black Bear]

I guess the real question here is can you buy the LED housings and swap the entire headlamp. This is likely down to if the connector is the same between the LED and halogen units. Per the service manual you have to pull the bumper off to replace the headlamp units.

Wellllllllllllll ... may be more to it than that these days. Are there any programming/computer differences between the two sets of headlights/turn signals? Pop LEDs where the computer is programmed for incandescent and you could be slammed with CANBUS errors and hyperflash and headlight out warnings. Can't say for sure, but I'm thinking that would be the potential rub. Will watch for the first person to try it to share their results.

 

[GTAcruz]

Keep in mind, just cause the lights are LED, it doesn’t mean it’s better, lot of variables and design layout.
Rav4 Hybrid also get a “poor” rating with its LED lights…

 

[jonathan]

The first time we drove our Santa Cruz at night I thought the lights weren't on. These are by far the worst headlights of any car I've owned. Very disappointed. Otherwise, the vehicle is awesome.

The media is noticing.

2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Earns Top Safety Pick Except For Some Trims

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has released its evaluation of the Hyundai Santa Cruz, giving it an almost perfect rating if not for its lower trims.

www.motor1.com

 

[MinnSteve]

^THIS^

I bought my SEL and immediately drove about 1800 miles home, much of it in the dark. Not a single complaint from me about the lighting on the lower level models. 🤷‍♂️

Should these lights on the SEL worry me? Glad you didn't have any concerns! @Walking Black Bear I am new here, but I know you have the upper-trim lights. Wonder what you think about this issue.

 

[Roosterman]

Switching out the bulbs should remedy the issue. Here is one that has been recommended and compatible:

Amazon.com: Fahren 9005/HB3 LED Headlight Bulbs, 60W 12000 Lumens Super Bright LED Headlights Conversion Kit 6500K Cool White IP68 Waterproof, Pack of 2 : Automotive

Buy Fahren 9005/HB3 LED Headlight Bulbs, 60W 12000 Lumens Super Bright LED Headlights Conversion Kit 6500K Cool White IP68 Waterproof, Pack of 2: Headlight & Tail Light Conversion Kits - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Just followed the link to Amazon. According to their Amazonconfirmedfit, they don't fit. I know from the other thread, they do in fact fit. I'm not sure how Amazon determines fit. Maybe, it's just cuz the SC is so new, manufacturers don't have things listed as fitting it even when it does.

 

[john316]

Just followed the link to Amazon. According to their Amazonconfirmedfit, they don't fit. I know from the other thread, they do in fact fit. I'm not sure how Amazon determines fit. Maybe, it's just cuz the SC is so new, manufacturers don't have things listed as fitting it even when it does.

yes amazon does not want to be sued when you put into your cuz and burn up your car

 

[Cruizin4aBruisin]

Switching out the bulbs should remedy the issue. Here is one that has been recommended and compatible:

Amazon.com: Fahren 9005/HB3 LED Headlight Bulbs, 60W 12000 Lumens Super Bright LED Headlights Conversion Kit 6500K Cool White IP68 Waterproof, Pack of 2 : Automotive

Buy Fahren 9005/HB3 LED Headlight Bulbs, 60W 12000 Lumens Super Bright LED Headlights Conversion Kit 6500K Cool White IP68 Waterproof, Pack of 2: Headlight & Tail Light Conversion Kits - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

I agree, we've always switched out the bulbs for a better brand right after purchased assuming something can be located. We'll see how this goes, wife has night blindness so if the lights aren't bright enough we can convert them or will convert them. Always making this stuff up as we go along. I mean if the dealership has an upgrade then we'll let them hand this.

 

[HSC4ME]

Should these lights on the SEL worry me? Glad you didn't have any concerns! @Walking Black Bear I am new here, but I know you have the upper-trim lights. Wonder what you think about this issue.

They don't worry me a bit. If and when the headlights burn out or fail, I will likely just replace the bulbs with the same unless Hyundai has produced a better replacement.

I also like the turn signal below the headlight on the SE & SEL models better than the oposite direction ">" ##### "<" turn signals on the top of the line model.

 

[jcn115]

Just followed the link to Amazon. According to their Amazonconfirmedfit, they don't fit. I know from the other thread, they do in fact fit. I'm not sure how Amazon determines fit. Maybe, it's just cuz the SC is so new, manufacturers don't have things listed as fitting it even when it does.

You have to remember that the SC is new. Amazon may not have the SC specs loaded into their algorithm in order to show if they fit or not. I’ll bet that with time, it will say that it fits.