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2016 Hyundai Veloster

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Veloster years

Owner complaints for the 2016 Hyundai Veloster are substantially higher than the model-year median of 85.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
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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

108 reports with mileage · 114 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 132 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 20 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 reports4 fire reports11 injury reports

Engine complaints

132 reports
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106,000 miles · Oct 8, 2020
EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT 'S SON OWNED A 2016 HYUNDAI VELOSTER. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED ON 06/02/20. A MONTH LATER THE VEHICLE STALLED, WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (MAUS NISSAN OF CRYSTAL RIVER 937 S SUNCOAST BLVD, HOMOSASSA, FL 34448 (352) 592-6287). THEY FOUND THREE CODES…

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TL* THE CONTACT 'S SON OWNED A 2016 HYUNDAI VELOSTER. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED ON 06/02/20. A MONTH LATER THE VEHICLE STALLED, WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (MAUS NISSAN OF CRYSTAL RIVER 937 S SUNCOAST BLVD, HOMOSASSA, FL 34448 (352) 592-6287). THEY FOUND THREE CODES THAT HAD TO DO WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, THE FUEL INJECTOR, AND THE COILS . THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME AND THE CONTACT'S SON ATTEMPTED TO FIX THE VEHICLE ON HIS OWN. HE APPLIED A FUEL INJECTOR CLEANER AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER CLEANER AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED WITH NO PROBLEMS. THE ISSUES OCCURRED AGAIN ON 09/03/20 WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SMOKE WHILE TRAVELLING AT 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE SON OPENED THE HOOD . SMOKE CAME OUT AND THEN FLAMES BURST FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS SOON ENGULFED AND THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS BURNED DOWN. THE FLAMES WERE PUT OUT BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. A POLICE REPORT AND A FIRE REPORT WERE FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES THAT REQUIRED TRANSPORT BY AN AMBULANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND THE WRECKAGE WAS TOWED AWAY. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

NHTSA ODI #11363355

Mileage unknown · Dec 22, 2019
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

VELOSTER HYUNDAI'S 7-SPEED DCT CONTAINS A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (TCM) THAT CAUSES, AMONG OTHER PROBLEMS, FAILURE TO SHIFT, STALLING, DELAYED ACCELERATION, OR LOSS OF POWER. 'THESE CONDITIONS ARE HAZARDOUS BECAUSE THEY SEVERELY AFFECT THE DRIVER'S ABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE DURING NORMAL DRIVING…

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VELOSTER HYUNDAI'S 7-SPEED DCT CONTAINS A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (TCM) THAT CAUSES, AMONG OTHER PROBLEMS, FAILURE TO SHIFT, STALLING, DELAYED ACCELERATION, OR LOSS OF POWER. 'THESE CONDITIONS ARE HAZARDOUS BECAUSE THEY SEVERELY AFFECT THE DRIVER'S ABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS AND PREVENT DRIVERS FROM ACCELERATING TO MAINTAIN SAFE SPEEDS IN TRAFFIC,'

NHTSA ODI #11290737

29,000 miles · Sep 12, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineStructureCrashInjury

PREVIOUS COMPLAINT # NHTSA FOR THIS ISSUE IS 11254423.

NHTSA ODI #11255003

29,000 miles · Sep 10, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineStructureCrashInjury

THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP FOR THE LAST YEAR. THE CAR HAS SIGNIFICANT VIBRATION WHEN TURNING ON MY AC AND LIGHTS. THE GAS MILEAGE HAS DROPPED FROM 30MPG TO 17 MPG. THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD WHEN TAKING OF AND STARTING. I WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION WHERE THE ISSUES PARTIALLY CAUSED ME TO REAR END SOMEONE. THE CAR W…

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THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP FOR THE LAST YEAR. THE CAR HAS SIGNIFICANT VIBRATION WHEN TURNING ON MY AC AND LIGHTS. THE GAS MILEAGE HAS DROPPED FROM 30MPG TO 17 MPG. THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD WHEN TAKING OF AND STARTING. I WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION WHERE THE ISSUES PARTIALLY CAUSED ME TO REAR END SOMEONE. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. IN THE VEHICLE INSPECTION THE INSURANCE COMPANY FOUND THE FRAME TWISTED. THE ACCIDENT WAS A LOW SPEED COLLISION WHERE NO ONE WAS INJURED OTHER THEN MYSELF AND THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME A LATE 90'S EARLY 20'S LEXUS CAR RED IN COLOR HAD LITTLE DAMAGE. HYUNDAI IS UNWILLING TO HELP ME WITH THE ISSUES PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND I WAS TSEEN AND REATED FOR CHEMICAL BURN FROM THE AIRBAG

NHTSA ODI #11254423

11,250 miles · Jul 27, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion System

SO WHEN LEAVING FROM A COMPLETE STOP IN DRIVE LETTING OFF THE BRAKE PETAL, AND LETTING THE VEHICLE START ROLLING ITSELF IN DRIVE WILL START VIBRATING AND MAKING CLUNKING METAL NOISES. WILL KEEP DOING IT UNLESS I EITHER DO TWO OF THE FOLLOWING THINGS STEP ON THE ACCELERATOR PETAL, OR PUSH ON THE BREAKS AND COME TO A COMPLETE STOP…

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SO WHEN LEAVING FROM A COMPLETE STOP IN DRIVE LETTING OFF THE BRAKE PETAL, AND LETTING THE VEHICLE START ROLLING ITSELF IN DRIVE WILL START VIBRATING AND MAKING CLUNKING METAL NOISES. WILL KEEP DOING IT UNLESS I EITHER DO TWO OF THE FOLLOWING THINGS STEP ON THE ACCELERATOR PETAL, OR PUSH ON THE BREAKS AND COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. AND WHEN THE VEHICLES FRONT WHEELS ARE TURNED WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A STOP IT'S 2 TIMES WORSE. IT DOES IT ABOUT 2-3 TIMES DAILY. I'VE TAKEN IT TO HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP TO FIX UNDER THE WARRANTY AND THEY CLAIM THAT EVERYTHING IS NORMAL. DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THIS IS POSSIBLE THO BECAUSE OF THE PERSISTENT PROBLEM I KEEP FACING. PLEASE MAYBE LOOK INTO THIS AS SOMETHING SEND NOT RIGHT.

NHTSA ODI #11235310

19,038 miles · Mar 19, 2019
EnginePower Train

WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, CAR STALLED AND WOULD NOT GO OVER 5 MPH. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED A FAILED CATALYTIC CONVERTER (19,038 MILES). UNIT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. RECENTLY, SAME EXACT PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN. DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, STALLED, HAD VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP SAYS FAILED CATALYT…

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WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, CAR STALLED AND WOULD NOT GO OVER 5 MPH. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED A FAILED CATALYTIC CONVERTER (19,038 MILES). UNIT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. RECENTLY, SAME EXACT PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN. DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, STALLED, HAD VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP SAYS FAILED CATALYTIC CONVERTER LED TO LOWER ENGINE FAILURE. REPORTED UNIT UNDER WARRANTY, BUT WOULD BE OVER A MONTH TO GET A SHORT BLOCK FOR REPLACEMENT. AFTER READING ABOUT OTHER MODELS WITH EXCESSIVE EXHAUST TEMPS CAUSING FAILURES, I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS GOING TO REOCCUR. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF CATALYTIC CONVERTERS FAILING ON NEW CARS AND CERTAINLY NOT TWICE WITH UNDER 30,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. SECOND FAILURE HAPPENED SATURDAY FEB 16, 2019. CAR IS STILL AT THE DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ODI #11189935

23,784 miles · Jan 29, 2019
EngineSeat Belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI VELOSTER. WHILE REVERSING INTO THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND THERE WAS AN UNKNOWN ABNORMAL NOISE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI VELOSTER. WHILE REVERSING INTO THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND THERE WAS AN UNKNOWN ABNORMAL NOISE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,784.

NHTSA ODI #11172804

12,000 miles · Jan 7, 2018
EnginePower Train

WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP THE CAR HESITATES, THEN JUMPS FORWARD, THAT HESITATES AGAIN BEFORE ACCELERATING NORMALLY. THIS IS THE USUAL BEHAVIOR WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, WHETHER ACCELERATING RAPIDLY OR SMOOTHLY. THE BEHAVIOR HAS ALWAYS BEEN PRESENT SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW. THE DEALER CLAIMS IT IS NORMAL BEHAVIOR BUT IT…

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WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP THE CAR HESITATES, THEN JUMPS FORWARD, THAT HESITATES AGAIN BEFORE ACCELERATING NORMALLY. THIS IS THE USUAL BEHAVIOR WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, WHETHER ACCELERATING RAPIDLY OR SMOOTHLY. THE BEHAVIOR HAS ALWAYS BEEN PRESENT SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW. THE DEALER CLAIMS IT IS NORMAL BEHAVIOR BUT IT IS A BEHAVIOR I'VE NEVER EXPERIENCED OTHER CARS.

NHTSA ODI #11060966

500 miles · Oct 12, 2016
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED AT A LIGHT OR IN TRAFFIC WITH THE FOOT ON THE BREAK WHEN YOU RELEASE YOUR FOOT OFF THE BREAK THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD - MUST BE SOMETHING WITH THE NEW DUAL CLUTCH 7-SPEED TRANSMISSION. PLEASE HYUNDAI FIX THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED

NHTSA ODI #10915613

5,200 miles · Oct 2, 2016
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

CAR SOMETIMES ACCELERATES BY ITSELF EVEN WHEN OFF THE GAS AND ON THE BRAKES. LUNGES IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. PASSING GEAR SOMETIMES REVS UP TO 6500RPM'S BUT STAYS IN THE CURRENT SPEED. SOMETIMES CAR STAYS AT A CERTAIN RPM EVEN IF NOT ON THE GAS AND WONT SLOW DOWN. BAD LAG AND TERRIBLE DEAD SPOTS IN ACCELERATION. I FEEL LIKE…

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CAR SOMETIMES ACCELERATES BY ITSELF EVEN WHEN OFF THE GAS AND ON THE BRAKES. LUNGES IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. PASSING GEAR SOMETIMES REVS UP TO 6500RPM'S BUT STAYS IN THE CURRENT SPEED. SOMETIMES CAR STAYS AT A CERTAIN RPM EVEN IF NOT ON THE GAS AND WONT SLOW DOWN. BAD LAG AND TERRIBLE DEAD SPOTS IN ACCELERATION. I FEEL LIKE TRANSMISSION IS NOT COMMUNICATING WELL WITH CONTROL MODULE AND GAS PEDAL POSITION SENSOR IS WAY OFF THE MARK. CAR HAS PUT ME IN LIFE THREATENING SITUATIONS BUT HYUNDAI SERVICE SAYS THEY CANT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM BUT ONLY DROVE IT 7 MILES. I BOUGHT CAR BRAND NEW AND JUST TURNED 5800 MILES BUT HAS BEEN BACK FOR THIS PROBLEM 4 TIMES NOW.

NHTSA ODI #10911023

Official recalls

1

20V746000 · Engine

Dec 1, 2020

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Veloster, 2012 Santa Fe, 2011-2013 Sonata Hybrid, and 2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which over time can result in engine damage.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine. If bearing damage is found, the engine will be replaced. Dealers will also install a software update containing a new Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS). Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 198.

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

1

EA21003 · Engine Fires

Opened Dec 22, 2021 · Closed Feb 5, 2024

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine

On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles.  During the PE investigations, Hyundai and Kia issued several recalls to address vehicle fires, including those due to engine failures involving various engine types.  The remedies for the engine failure recalls typically involve engine inspection (to detect existing damage), and if necessary, engine replacement.  Additionally, both manufacturers have been installing an engine control software modification known as Knock Sensor Detection Software (KSDS) which is intended to detect impending engine failure, alert the driver, and limit engine power (to lessen likelihood of engine failure).KSDS is being installed under recalls and non-safety field actions, and both companies have extended limited engine warranties (see recall files). On December 22, 2021, ODI upgraded PE19-003 and PE19-004 to this Engineering Analysis (EA21-003, covering both Hyundai and Kia) to evaluate the scope of the prior recalls related to engine failures/fires and the efficacy of the recall remedies for the recalls, as well as the long-term viability of related programs and non-safety field actions being conducted by Hyundai and Kia.  The former issue involved approximately 550,000 MY 2013 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2011 Kia Sorento, and MY 2012-2015 Kia Rio.  The latter issue involved approximately 2.5 million recalled vehicles, which have been identified as displaying potential remedy concerns: Hyundai recalls 15V-568, 17V-226, 20V-746, and 21V-727; and Kia recalls 17V-224, 19V-120, 20V-750, and 21V-844. Regarding the recall scope issue, among all of the scope vehicles identified at EA opening, ODI found only the MY 2011 Kia Sorento vehicles equipped with both the Theta II 2.4L 4-cylinder Multi-Point Injection (MPI) and the Lambda II 3.5L 6-cylinder MPI engines experienced relatively high rates of reported fires.  In December 2023, Kia issued recall 23V-877 that will cover about 80,000 MY 2011 Kia Sorento vehicles equipped with the Theta II 2.4L MPI engines.  The remedy will involve an inspection, and if necessary, a replacement of the engine, as well as the installation of KSDS.  It should be noted that in 2021 these vehicles were included in a KSDS product improvement campaign with warranty extension.  For the MY 2011 Sorento vehicles equipped with the Lambda II 3.5L engines, ODI believes that future engine failures/fires involving these vehicles will likely be due to a lax in adhering to the proper or scheduled engine maintenance (regular engine oil changes), rather than a design or manufacturing engine issue. Regarding the issue of the efficacy of the recall remedies, ODI found the majority of the recalled Hyundai and Kia vehicles, by model, experienced lower reported fire rates after the remedies were applied.  Furthermore, ODI found that for most vehicles that did not receive the recall remedies, by model, experienced relatively high fire rates.  To address this problem, Hyundai informed ODI in December 2023, that it will renotify all of its owners covered by the Hyundai recalls of engine failures/fires every 8 months for the next 3 years.  In December 2023, Kia stated that it will renotify the majority of its owners every 8 months for the next 3 years.Several previously recalled Kia models are excluded from the renotification due to their lower reported rates of engine fires.  Overall, the renotification actions will help to increase the recall completion rates, thus reduce the frequency of engine fires in the future. In view of the recall action being taken by Kia and renotification actions being taken by both Kia and Hyundai, ODI is closing this Engineering Analysis.  Also, both companies have been released from the 2020-iniated Consent Orders (Kia since November 2022 and Hyundai since November 2023).  The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.  To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.