Hyundai Veloster Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Hyundai Veloster model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2021 drew the fewest (11) and the 2013 the most (424).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Among the fewest complaints |
11 | 1 | Lane departure | — | 28–30 |
| 2020 Among the fewest complaints |
24 | 1 | Engine | — | 28–30 |
| 2019 Among the fewest complaints |
42 | 2 | Engine | — | 28–30 |
| 2017 | 50 | 0 | Engine | 5★ | 28–31 |
| 2014 | 85 | 2 | Engine | 5★ | 26–30 |
| 2015 | 137 | 2 | Engine | 5★ | 26–30 |
| 2016 Among the most complaints |
222 | 1 | Engine | 5★ | 28–31 |
| 2012 Among the most complaints |
296 | 6 | Engine | — | 30–31 |
| 2013 Among the most complaints |
424 | 3 | Engine | — | 27–31 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Hyundai Veloster years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2013 Hyundai Veloster: 424 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 171 (40%); Electrical system 98 (23%); Steering 58 (14%).
Reports mention 6 crashes, 33 fires, 9 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 69,000 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
2012 Hyundai Veloster: 296 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 61 (21%); Visibility 55 (19%); Steering 42 (14%).
Reports mention 15 crashes, 8 fires, 29 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 55,000 miles. 6 recall campaigns listed.
2016 Hyundai Veloster: 222 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 132 (59%); Power train 43 (19%); Fuel/propulsion system 20 (9%).
Reports mention 15 crashes, 4 fires, 11 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 55,000 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
The Hyundai Veloster years with the fewest complaints
2021 Hyundai Veloster: 11 complaints
Most-reported: Lane departure 7 (64%); Engine 3 (27%); Fuel/propulsion system 2 (18%).
1 recall campaign listed.
2020 Hyundai Veloster: 24 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 9 (38%); Power train 3 (13%); Electrical system 2 (8%).
1 recall campaign listed.
2019 Hyundai Veloster: 42 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 18 (43%); Structure 8 (19%); Electrical system 6 (14%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 3 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 13,091 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Hyundai Veloster owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2020 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2019 | 42 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 13,091 |
| 2017 | 50 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 48,000 |
| 2016 | 222 | 15 | 4 | 11 | 0 | 55,000 |
| 2015 | 137 | 0 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 62,000 |
| 2014 | 85 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 80,000 |
| 2013 | 424 | 6 | 33 | 9 | 0 | 69,000 |
| 2012 | 296 | 15 | 8 | 29 | 0 | 55,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Hyundai Veloster recalls
- ABS Unit May Cause Engine Compartment Fire (2012–2015 model years; 1,649,478 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2023; 23V651000)
- Accessory Power Outlet May Overheat (2012 model year; 272,126 vehicles across all models; filed Jul 2020; 20V393000)
- Improperly Heat-Treated Piston Oil Rings (2019–2021 model years; 158,493 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2021; 21V301000)
- Engine Damage May Cause Stall or Fire (2015–2016 model years; 128,948 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 2020; 20V746000)
- Parking Sensor May Short Circuit and Cause Fire (2012–2014 model years; 25,715 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 2023; 23V132000)
All 10 Hyundai Veloster recall campaigns · Hyundai Veloster problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Hyundai Veloster years FAQ
Which Hyundai Veloster year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2021 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (11). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Hyundai Veloster years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2013, 2012 and 2016 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the engine. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Hyundai Veloster problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the engine (529 of 1,291 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Hyundai Veloster have?
NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns covering the Hyundai Veloster. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Hyundai Veloster recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.