IllustrationStarted with knocking and ticking noise then failure to accelerate. Engine failed due to unknown reasons. Have been confirmed by car mechanic licensed and insured
2012 Hyundai Veloster
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Veloster years
Owner complaints for the 2012 Hyundai Veloster are substantially higher than the model-year median of 85.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Veloster years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
760–25K
3125–50K
3650–75K
4675–100K
32100–150K
9150K+
230 reports with mileage · 66 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine. Review the 61 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Visibility. Review the 55 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
15 crash reports8 fire reports25 injury reports
Engine complaints
61 reportsFirst Crankshaft position sensor was bad now Camshaft position sensor bad.
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS BLINKING. CAR IS LESS THAN ONE YEAR OLD . 108,000 MILES. I PUT 8,000 ON IT. CAR LIGHTS GO OUT AFTER REPLACING , STEERING COLUMN, ELECTRICAL ISSUES , OIL IN SPARK PLUGS , FUEL LINE SEEMS CLOGGED , EMERGENCY BRAKE DOESN'T HOLD EVERY TIME, ECT TAKING TO HYUNDAI IN THE MORNING. DANGEROUS.
HYUNDAI/NHTSA HAS A RECALL FOR 2015-2016 VELOSTER 1.6 ENGINES FOR CONNECTING ROD BEARING FAILURES, AN ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN ONGOING AND KNOWN FOR YEARS. THE RECALL NEEDS TO BE EXTENDED TO 2011-2018 1.6L GDI MOTORS USED IN HYUNDAI AND KIA VEHICLES, WHICH ALL HAVE ISSUES WITH ROD BEARING FAILURES. THE ROD BEARING IS GOING OUT ON…
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HYUNDAI/NHTSA HAS A RECALL FOR 2015-2016 VELOSTER 1.6 ENGINES FOR CONNECTING ROD BEARING FAILURES, AN ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN ONGOING AND KNOWN FOR YEARS. THE RECALL NEEDS TO BE EXTENDED TO 2011-2018 1.6L GDI MOTORS USED IN HYUNDAI AND KIA VEHICLES, WHICH ALL HAVE ISSUES WITH ROD BEARING FAILURES. THE ROD BEARING IS GOING OUT ON MY VELOSTER THAT I RECENTLY PURCHASED AND HYUNDAI WILL NOT HONOR RECALL FOR THE MOTOR IN THE VEHICLE FOR THE SAME ISSUE GOING ON ON ALL MODEL YEARS. I DO HAVE A VIDEO OF THE RUNNING ENGINE WITH THE ROD BEARING NOISE BUT IT EXCEEDS THE FILE LIMIT SIZE. THE LINK IS THE YOUTUBE VIDEO I UPLOADED. HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=P0MPHRSOGH8&FEATURE=YOUTU.BE&AB_CHANNEL=BRIANBUNDRIDGE
WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE MADE CLICKING NOISES AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR JUST DIED. ALSO, WHEN I TRIED STARTING THE VEHICLE SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE ENGINE. I WAS ADVISED BY A MECHANIC THAT THE ROD BEARINGS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. CURRENTLY, THERE IS A RECALL IN REGARDS TO THE ROD BEARINGS BUT ONLY FOR 2015 AND 2016.
I HEARD SOMETHING DROP AND THEN THE CAR STARTED SMOKING. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, TURNED OFF THE CAR, AND WENT TO OPEN THE HOOD, BUT SAW FLAMES. THE ENTIRE FRONT HALF WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. A COUPLE YEARS AGO I HAD TO GET AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT DUE TO OIL OVER CONSUMPTION. THE SAME ISSUES STARTED HAPPENING AGAIN A…
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I HEARD SOMETHING DROP AND THEN THE CAR STARTED SMOKING. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, TURNED OFF THE CAR, AND WENT TO OPEN THE HOOD, BUT SAW FLAMES. THE ENTIRE FRONT HALF WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. A COUPLE YEARS AGO I HAD TO GET AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT DUE TO OIL OVER CONSUMPTION. THE SAME ISSUES STARTED HAPPENING AGAIN AND THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT HELPFUL WITH GETTING THE SITUATION FIGURED OUT.
THE ENGINE FAILED DOES NOT START AND THERE IS A LOT OF SMOKE
MY 2012 HYUNDAY VELOSTER KEEPS SHUT OFF ON THE HIGHWAY AND START RIGHT BACK AFTER 2 MINURES IT IS VERY UNSAFE .
I HAD A KNOCKING IN MY ENGINE BEFORE MY CONNECTING ROD BEAR HAD PUNCTURED 3 LARGE HOLES IN MY ENGINE BLOCK. I HAD NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND MY VEHICLE NEVER EVEN HIT 120,000 MILES. A SIMILAR PROBLEM HAD BEEN REPORTED ON HYUNDAI VEHICLES THAT ARE BEING RECALLED.
OIL LEAK FROM FAULTY REAR MAIN SEAL
Official recalls
623V651000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
Sep 22, 2023
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.
23V132000 · Electrical System
Feb 28, 2023
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Veloster vehicles. High conductive liquid may leak into the Reverse Park Aid Sensor (RPAS), which can result in an electrical short circuit.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An electrical short circuit increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the RPAS fuse and sensor, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 28, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 242.
20V393000 · Equipment:electrical
Jul 2, 2020
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Hyundai Elantra and Sonata Hybrid, 2012 Accent and Veloster vehicles. The 12V accessory socket outlet may have been over-tightened during installation, possibly disabling the thermal fuse and allowing the outlet to overheat with prolonged use, such as by using the Tire Mobility Kit air compressor to inflate a tire.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An overheated accessory outlet increases the risk of fire.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the Tire Mobility Kit accessory outlet plug with a direct-to-battery connection wire harness kit, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 193.
13V051000 · Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly
Feb 19, 2013
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2012 Veloster vehicles manufactured from July 4, 2011, through October 31, 2011 and equipped with panoramic sunroofs. The panoramic sunroof assembly may have been weakened during installation at the factory.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the assembly was weakend at the factory, the panoramic glass panel may break while the vehicle is in motion leading to personal injury or a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the sunroof's integrity and replace the sunroof glass assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began during March 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
12V567000 · Parking Brake:conventional:mechanical:linkage And Cable
Dec 7, 2012
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2012 Veloster vehicles manufactured from July 2, 2011, through February 27, 2012 and equipped with manual transmissions. Moisture and road grime may cause the parking brake components to bind.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the parking brake components bind, the parking brake may not operate properly, and the parking brake may drag while driving or may not fully engage when the vehicle is parked. If the parking brake is not fully engaged when parked, a manual transmission may move unintentionally, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear brake caliper assemblies free of charge. The safety recall began January 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
12V568000 · Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly
Dec 7, 2012
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2012 Veloster vehicles manufactured from November 1, 2011, through April 17, 2012 and equipped with panoramic sunroofs. The panoramic sunroof assembly may been weakened during installation at the factory.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the assembly was weakend at the factory, the panoramic glass panel may break while the vehicle is in motion leading to personal injury or a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the sunroof's integrity and replace the sunroof glass assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began January 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2AQ23002 · Hyundai And Kia Abs Module Fires
Opened Nov 17, 2023 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.
PE12027 · Panoramic Sunroof Breakage
Opened Oct 2, 2012 · Closed Feb 21, 2013
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility; Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE12-027 on October 2, 2012 to investigate allegations of spontaneous sunroof shatter on model year (MY) 2012 Hyundai Veloster vehicles. The MY2012 platform was the first to introduce the panoramic sunroof option. ODI received 26 consumer complaints of sunroof shatter, 15 occurring while the vehicle was being driven. The injury incidents noted were due to complainants who alleged minor cuts or abrasions from fallen glass. Sunroof glass shattering while operating the vehicle poses a risk of personal injury or a vehicle crash.In response to ODI's information request (IR), Hyundai provided 23 consumer complaints related to the alleged problem and 46 warranty claims for sunroof shatter and/or replacement.On December 6, 2012 Hyundai notified ODI that it would conduct a safety recall on model year 2012 Veloster vehicles equipped with panoramic sunroofs manufactured from November 1, 2011 through April 17, 2012. The panoramic sunroof assembly may have weakened during installation at the factory. An intermittent malfunction of a limit switch for the panoramic sunroof assembly's unloading station robot may have occurred, allowing forced contact between the mechanism and the sunroof glass. This contact could have caused damage to the sunroof glass, and lead to subsequent shattering of the glass in the field. The loading station robot was repaired in April 2012. The initial point in time for the malfunction of the station robot was not clearly defined through technical reasoning, therefore ODI challenged the proposed production scope for the safety recall. On February 14, 2013 Hyundai responded that they will conduct safety recall 13V-051 which expands the covered vehicles to those produced from the start of MY2012 production (July 4, 2011) through April 17, 2012. This investigation is closed on the basis of Hyundai's announcement of safety recalls 12V-568 and 13V-051.The reports cited above can be reviewed online at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers: 10462857, 10463570, 10465757, 10468816, 10468854, 10469144, 10471972, 10472742, 10473062, 10473640, 10477212, 10478075, 10478735, 10479487, 10479931, 10482027, 10482056, 10482561, 10482760, 10482933, 10483765, 10483770, 10484048, 10485802, 10487399, 10490171
Additional source detail variants (4)
Visibility
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE12-027 on October 2, 2012 to investigate allegations of spontaneous sunroof shatter on model year (MY) 2012 Hyundai Veloster vehicles. The MY2012 platform was the first to introduce the panoramic sunroof option. ODI received 26 consumer complaints of sunroof shatter, 15 occurring while the vehicle was being driven. The injury incidents noted were due to complainants who alleged minor cuts or abrasions from fallen glass. Sunroof glass shattering while operating the vehicle poses a risk of personal injury or a vehicle crash.In response to ODI's information request (IR), Hyundai provided 23 consumer complaints related to the alleged problem and 46 warranty claims for sunroof shatter and/or replacement.On December 6, 2012 Hyundai notified ODI that it would conduct a safety recall on model year 2012 Veloster vehicles equipped with panoramic sunroofs manufactured from November 1, 2011 through April 17, 2012. The panoramic sunroof assembly may have weakened during installation at the factory. An intermittent malfunction of a limit switch for the panoramic sunroof assembly's unloading station robot may have occurred, allowing forced contact between the mechanism and the sunroof glass. This contact could have caused damage to the sunroof glass, and lead to subsequent shattering of the glass in the field. The loading station robot was repaired in April 2012. The initial point in time for the malfunction of the station robot was not clearly defined through technical reasoning, therefore ODI challenged the proposed production scope for the safety recall. On February 14, 2013 Hyundai responded that they will conduct safety recall 13V-051 which expands the covered vehicles to those produced from the start of MY2012 production (July 4, 2011) through April 17, 2012. This investigation is closed on the basis of Hyundai's announcement of safety recalls 12V-568 and 13V-051.The reports cited above can be reviewed online at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers: 10462857, 10463570, 10465757, 10468816, 10468854, 10469144, 10471972, 10472742, 10473062, 10473640, 10477212, 10478075, 10478735, 10479487, 10479931, 10482027, 10482056, 10482561, 10482760, 10482933, 10483765, 10483770, 10484048, 10485802, 10487399, 10490171
Visibility
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE12-027 on October 2, 2012 to investigate allegations of spontaneous sunroof shatter on model year (MY) 2012 Hyundai Veloster vehicles. The MY2012 platform was the first to introduce the panoramic sunroof option. ODI received 26 consumer complaints of sunroof shatter, 15 occurring while the vehicle was being driven. The injury incidents noted were due to complainants who alleged minor cuts or abrasions from fallen glass. Sunroof glass shattering while operating the vehicle poses a risk of personal injury or a vehicle crash.In response to ODI's information request (IR), Hyundai provided 23 consumer complaints related to the alleged problem and 46 warranty claims for sunroof shatter and/or replacement.On December 6, 2012 Hyundai notified ODI that it would conduct a safety recall on model year 2012 Veloster vehicles equipped with panoramic sunroofs manufactured from November 1, 2011 through April 17, 2012. The panoramic sunroof assembly may have weakened during installation at the factory. An intermittent malfunction of a limit switch for the panoramic sunroof assembly's unloading station robot may have occurred, allowing forced contact between the mechanism and the sunroof glass. This contact could have caused damage to the sunroof glass, and lead to subsequent shattering of the glass in the field. The loading station robot was repaired in April 2012. The initial point in time for the malfunction of the station robot was not clearly defined through technical reasoning, therefore ODI challenged the proposed production scope for the safety recall. On February 14, 2013 Hyundai responded that they will conduct safety recall 13V-051 which expands the covered vehicles to those produced from the start of MY2012 production (July 4, 2011) through April 17, 2012. This investigation is closed on the basis of Hyundai's announcement of safety recalls 12V-568 and 13V-051.The reports cited above can be reviewed online at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers: 10462857, 10463570, 10465757, 10468816, 10468854, 10469144, 10471972, 10472742, 10473062, 10473640, 10477212, 10478075, 10478735, 10479487, 10479931, 10482027, 10482056, 10482561, 10482760, 10482933, 10483765, 10483770, 10484048, 10485802, 10487399, 10490171
Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE12-027 on October 2, 2012 to investigate allegations of spontaneous sunroof shatter on model year (MY) 2012 Hyundai Veloster vehicles. The MY2012 platform was the first to introduce the panoramic sunroof option. ODI received 26 consumer complaints of sunroof shatter, 15 occurring while the vehicle was being driven. The injury incidents noted were due to complainants who alleged minor cuts or abrasions from fallen glass. Sunroof glass shattering while operating the vehicle poses a risk of personal injury or a vehicle crash.In response to ODI's information request (IR), Hyundai provided 23 consumer complaints related to the alleged problem and 46 warranty claims for sunroof shatter and/or replacement.On December 6, 2012 Hyundai notified ODI that it would conduct a safety recall on model year 2012 Veloster vehicles equipped with panoramic sunroofs manufactured from November 1, 2011 through April 17, 2012. The panoramic sunroof assembly may have weakened during installation at the factory. An intermittent malfunction of a limit switch for the panoramic sunroof assembly's unloading station robot may have occurred, allowing forced contact between the mechanism and the sunroof glass. This contact could have caused damage to the sunroof glass, and lead to subsequent shattering of the glass in the field. The loading station robot was repaired in April 2012. The initial point in time for the malfunction of the station robot was not clearly defined through technical reasoning, therefore ODI challenged the proposed production scope for the safety recall. On February 14, 2013 Hyundai responded that they will conduct safety recall 13V-051 which expands the covered vehicles to those produced from the start of MY2012 production (July 4, 2011) through April 17, 2012. This investigation is closed on the basis of Hyundai's announcement of safety recalls 12V-568 and 13V-051.The reports cited above can be reviewed online at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers: 10462857, 10463570, 10465757, 10468816, 10468854, 10469144, 10471972, 10472742, 10473062, 10473640, 10477212, 10478075, 10478735, 10479487, 10479931, 10482027, 10482056, 10482561, 10482760, 10482933, 10483765, 10483770, 10484048, 10485802, 10487399, 10490171
Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE12-027 on October 2, 2012 to investigate allegations of spontaneous sunroof shatter on model year (MY) 2012 Hyundai Veloster vehicles. The MY2012 platform was the first to introduce the panoramic sunroof option. ODI received 26 consumer complaints of sunroof shatter, 15 occurring while the vehicle was being driven. The injury incidents noted were due to complainants who alleged minor cuts or abrasions from fallen glass. Sunroof glass shattering while operating the vehicle poses a risk of personal injury or a vehicle crash.In response to ODI's information request (IR), Hyundai provided 23 consumer complaints related to the alleged problem and 46 warranty claims for sunroof shatter and/or replacement.On December 6, 2012 Hyundai notified ODI that it would conduct a safety recall on model year 2012 Veloster vehicles equipped with panoramic sunroofs manufactured from November 1, 2011 through April 17, 2012. The panoramic sunroof assembly may have weakened during installation at the factory. An intermittent malfunction of a limit switch for the panoramic sunroof assembly's unloading station robot may have occurred, allowing forced contact between the mechanism and the sunroof glass. This contact could have caused damage to the sunroof glass, and lead to subsequent shattering of the glass in the field. The loading station robot was repaired in April 2012. The initial point in time for the malfunction of the station robot was not clearly defined through technical reasoning, therefore ODI challenged the proposed production scope for the safety recall. On February 14, 2013 Hyundai responded that they will conduct safety recall 13V-051 which expands the covered vehicles to those produced from the start of MY2012 production (July 4, 2011) through April 17, 2012. This investigation is closed on the basis of Hyundai's announcement of safety recalls 12V-568 and 13V-051.The reports cited above can be reviewed online at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers: 10462857, 10463570, 10465757, 10468816, 10468854, 10469144, 10471972, 10472742, 10473062, 10473640, 10477212, 10478075, 10478735, 10479487, 10479931, 10482027, 10482056, 10482561, 10482760, 10482933, 10483765, 10483770, 10484048, 10485802, 10487399, 10490171