Hyundai Veloster years to avoid (and the best years)
1,288 NHTSA owner complaints and 10 recalls across 9 model years, 2012 to 2021. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 1,288complaints
- 10recalls
- 42reported crashes
- 57reported fires
- 57reported injuries
Which Hyundai Veloster years should you avoid?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the Hyundai Veloster years to avoid are 2013, 2012 and 2016. The typical Hyundai Veloster year has 85 complaints on file.
- 2013: 422 complaints, 5.0 times the typical year. Most complaints name the engine (41% of complaints) and the electrical system (23% of complaints).
- 2012: 296 complaints, 3.5 times the typical year. Most complaints name the wipers and visibility (23% of complaints) and the engine (22% of complaints).
- 2016: 222 complaints, 2.6 times the typical year. Most complaints name the engine (63% of complaints) and the transmission and drivetrain (19% of complaints).
What are the best Hyundai Veloster years?
The Hyundai Veloster years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2021 (11), 2020 (24) and 2019 (42). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 11 | 0.1× | 1 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Lane keeping system |
| 2020 | 24 | 0.3× | 1 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2019 | 42 | 0.5× | 2 | 2 | 3 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2017 | 50 | 0.6× | 0 | 4 | 1 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2016 | 222 | 2.6× | 1 | 15 | 11 | Approach with caution | Engine |
| 2015 | 136 | 1.6× | 2 | 0 | 4 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2014 | 85 | 1.0× | 2 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2013 | 422 | 5.0× | 3 | 6 | 9 | Approach with caution | Engine |
| 2012 | 296 | 3.5× | 6 | 15 | 29 | Approach with caution | Wipers and visibility |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 40 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Engine & powertrain19 (48%)
- Other systems8 (20%)
- Steering, suspension & tires7 (18%)
- Electrical & infotainment3 (8%)
- Structure & body2 (5%)
Recalls (10)
Brakes · 23V651000 · Sep 2023 · model years 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Electrical system · 23V132000 · Feb 2023 · model years 2012, 2013, 2014
An electrical short circuit increases the risk of a fire.
Safety · 21V301000 · Apr 2021 · model years 2019, 2020, 2021
A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.
Safety · 20V746000 · Dec 2020 · model years 2015, 2016
A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 20V393000 · Jul 2020 · model year 2012
An overheated accessory outlet increases the risk of fire.
Safety · 19V311000 · Apr 2019 · model year 2019
The door opening could result in occupant ejection or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Electrical system · 19V204000 · Mar 2019 · model year 2013
Engine damage can increase the risk of a fire or cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Body & glass · 13V051000 · Feb 2013 · model year 2012
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.
Body & glass · 12V568000 · Dec 2012 · model year 2012
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.
Safety · 12V567000 · Dec 2012 · model year 2012
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.