2016 Hyundai Veloster

While driving my 2016 Hyundai Veloster (VIN: [XXX] ) on the highway, the vehicle suddenly lost acceleration. I went from 60 mph down to 20 mph with no throttle response, and the car only continued moving briefly from momentum. I was forced to stop in unsafe highway conditions and had the vehicle towed home. Prior to this complete failure, the car had recurring transmission/drive issues: it would start, but when placed in reverse it moved backward, and when shifted into drive it still only moved backward. Despite repeated repair attempts, the problems persisted. A certified mechanic later inspected the vehicle and confirmed severe internal engine damage, including metallic noises, blue smoke, oil leakage from worn piston rings, and complete compression loss. The mechanic concluded the vehicle requires deep engine repair or replacement. These failures are consistent with widespread reports of Hyundai Veloster engine defects, which pose serious safety risks to drivers. My vehicle is now inoperable despite responsible maintenance and repeated attempts to fix the issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

My vehicle has been burning through oil for 2 years now. It started with me having to get oil changes every 3 months, then 2, then 1, now I am forced to go get oil top offs every 2-3 weeks or the check oil light comes on and car drives very rough. I have been reaching out and opening cases with Hyundai and working with my local dealer for a year now and still nothing is being resolved. I need my engine replaced and they refuse, wanting me to jump through hoops and doing various tests only to tell me that even after I pay thousands for the tests, there’s no guarantee they can replace the engine. This is a known issue when you search online and thousands of people’s Hyundais are being affected. This vehicle is less than 10 years old it should not be having these issues. Hyundai is at fault for creating faulty vehicles and they are refusing to do anything about it.

I am going to answer each point one by one for clarity. 1.) Mass oil consumption from bad piston rings, and yes it is available. 2.) I was driving after work one night and my oil pressure light was blinking red. Needed to immedelty pull to the side and have someone get me oil to top off. This was when I first found out about this issue. 3.) Yes as it is a constant problem and I've had two different mechanics look and confirm that my engine is essentially toast. 4.) No, not yet as I am not willing to pay an absurd amount of money for a dealer inspection unless they truely mean well with it. 5.) Other than the red oil pressure light I mentioned eariler, no. This was Augest 12th. Bought the car from the dealer April 18th.

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated that after completing a routine oil change, the contact discovered that while starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V746000 (Engine). The contact had an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, who determined that the failure was related to the engine. The local dealer was contacted, and it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. There was corrosion around the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and requested the maintenance records, but declined to assist due to maintenance neglect. The contact stated that the maintenance records were not accessible due to not being the original owner. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment, and the vehicle failed to exceed 40 MPH, prompting the contact to discontinue driving the vehicle. The check engine and low oil pressure warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the connecting rod bearings failure had resulted in the engine damage. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V746000(Engine), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 99,000.

While driving home one late night, the engine completely locked up while driving causing the vehicle to come to a halt and left me stranded in the road. Got it off the road and eventually towed home where it was later inspected and found the engine bone dry of oil. There were no signs or indications there were any issues with oil leaking, etc. After much research, it's a commonly known issue with other Hyundai makes and models and even some of the same as mine in other years. This engine only has 100,000 miles on it. It just barely broke that mark before completely leaving me stranded. It's still an unresolved issue as no one wants to repair my car.

The reason I am submitting this form is because my 2016 Veloster Turbo has an open recall out for premature wear in the bottom end (bearings and rods) and my car has been experiencing the same problems. I have had the highest rated shop in my area to look at the wear directly and it is clear this is the problem with the engine. Despite this all attempts to contact dealers and the manufacture have resulted in those parties claiming my unit was not affected during the recall and therefore there is nothing they can do to help me. It is clear my engine is experiencing the exact problems detailed in the recall and I have treated this engine as well I can as I had knowledge of these problems, even still my engine is only a couple hundred miles away from blowing up completely and not running. When this car was bought I added a catch can to specifically help with the premature wear on the engine as well as never revving the engine to over 5,0000 rpms. As well to both of the previously mentioned conditions I have consistently changed the oil every 3,000 miles or before with the best oil and oil filter money can buy. Despite all of this and treating the car as well as I possibly could I still experienced significant terminal damage to my engine and I haven't even hit 99,000 miles yet. This whole experience has been awful and near impossible even for me someone who is very well equipped to handle car problems and I can't imagine how a regular family with basic car knowledge could ever navigate and handle this situation accordingly. All I am looking for is some type of help in any way to move forward my car is still running and driving but if I continue to drive it, it will most definitely blow up leaving me stranded. Thank you for your time.

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle hesitated to respond while depressing the accelerator pedal, failed to exceed 45 MPH and made an abnormal knocking sound. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who referred the contact to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where a BCT (Bearing Clearance Test) was performed, and the knock sensors were replaced; however, the failure recurred immediately while leaving dealer's parking lot. The vehicle was taken to two other independent mechanics, where the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced due to damage to the engine rod bearings. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V746000(Engine); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was referred to the dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 79,700.

I am the second owner of a 2016 Hyundai Veloster Base, purchased used at approximately 19,976 miles. Since then, the vehicle has experienced multiple major powertrain-related failures. At 49,196 miles, the first catalytic converter failed and was replaced. Later, both the engine and second catalytic converter were replaced by Kearny Mesa Hyundai, a certified Hyundai dealership in San Diego, CA. When I brought the vehicle to Kearny Mesa Hyundai, there were no warning lights or active diagnostic trouble codes. However, the dealership’s service documentation stated that a P0420 code (catalyst system efficiency below threshold) was present — a code that was not active when I dropped off the vehicle, raising concerns about diagnostic accuracy or documentation. Now, at 61,982 miles, I brought the vehicle to Hyundai Ontario due to delayed shifting and hesitation when accelerating. The dealership diagnosed internal transmission failure and quoted approximately $5,000 for repairs. There were no warning lights or codes detected, meaning this diagnosis is based solely on driving symptoms. The failure of two catalytic converters, the engine, and now the transmission — all within approximately 42,000 miles of ownership — raises serious concerns about the long-term reliability of this vehicle and possible manufacturing defects. The transmission symptoms pose a serious safety risk, especially when merging or accelerating into traffic. I am requesting that this vehicle be investigated for potential systemic issues affecting its powertrain components.

About 2 years ago, my Veloster suddenly started using oil and began knocking. No check engine light or other indicators came on. I had it inspected by a mechanic who confirmed that there was a problem in the lower half of the motor and it would have to be replaced. I was aware that other Veloster owners had been experiencing the same issue. I found recall spawned by a class-action which extended the engine's warranty to 15 years and 150,000 miles, but the website said my Veloster was not covered by the recall. I called Hyundai and they also said that my Veloster was not covered by the recall. I was very frustrated. People I know that sell Hyundai vehicles remained hopeful that Hyundai would come around and recall my car too, but I do not think that is going to happen since it has been nearly 2 years now. I have a 2016 Hyundai Veloster R-Spec (which is a turbo model) and it has the same engine as other turbo models that were recalled. I am very frustrated that this issue is widely known and Hyundai seems to have gotten away with creating a vehicle that's longevity is subpar from any I have ever owned. It recently dawned on me to ask AI for help and it recommended I contact and you, the NHTSA, so at the very least it is documented and patterns can be seen where this problem continues to occur with vehicles that were not part of the recall. I was very particular and admit about the maintenance on my Veloster. There is no reason that this car should be scrapped after experiencing a detrimental engine failure less than 7 years and 125,000 miles from when it was purchased brand new. I still have the car, which has been sitting in my driveway since before I had it towed to the mechanic about the engine problems.