2016 Hyundai Veloster

222 complaints on file, page 1 of 12.

1. Filed Sep 15, 2026Failure Mar 1, 2026Fresno, CASeat belts

   Issue with driver side seat belt unlatching at random moments: while driving or at stand still. Local dealership has been notified at multiple oil changes and it has been looked at, however, technicians cannot recreate event.

   NHTSA complaint 11764462
2. Filed Jul 17, 2026Failure Jun 13, 2026Dorchester, MAUnknown or other

   Formal complaint against Hyundai Motor America for failure to provide safety recall remedies on a U.S.-conforming vehicle. Vehicle History: This 2016 Hyundai Veloster was purchased in the U.S. territory of [XXX], manufactured to meet U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). Years later, it was legally relocated to the U.S. mainland and is currently registered and driven in [XXX]. The Database Issue: Official factory documents from Hyundai Puerto Rico confirm this VIN has critical, active safety recalls (chassis and engine/fire campaigns). However, due to regional database fragmentation between internal networks, these active recalls do not populate on domestic U.S. systems. The MyHyundai USA portal accepts the VIN, but the recall dashboard displays as completely blank (0 open/0 closed), hiding these safety risks from local U.S. dealerships. Corporate Refusal: I opened corporate Case #XXX with Hyundai Motor America to request a manual database sync so a local MA dealer could perform the repairs. On XXX, Hyundai Customer Care issued a formal written refusal via email, stating textually: "Hyundai Motor America only maintains records for US vehicles. We suggest working with your local dealer and Hyundai Worldwide." Because [XXX] is a U.S. territory, denying a safety recall remedy by treating this as a foreign vehicle violates federal safety mandates. Local dealers cannot perform repairs because corporate refuses to push the data entry through. Uploaded Attachments: - Hyundai PR safety recall log showing active campaigns for this VIN. - Email from Hyundai Motor America (Case XXX) refusing service. I request NHTSA compel Hyundai Motor America to update this VIN's regional status so my local dealer can execute the safety repairs free of charge. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

   NHTSA complaint 11751038
3. Filed Jun 24, 2026Failure Sep 27, 202219,000 milesTampa, FLFuel system, Gasoline

   The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated that gas fumes were entering inside the vehicle and exhaust fumes were present while driving the vehicle and while the vehicle was parked. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic on several occasions and to several dealers; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The master cylinder was replaced, and the high-pressure fuel pump was replaced due to a reported internal fuel leak, but the failure persisted. The contact stated that while refueling the vehicle at a gas station, fuel leaked from the vehicle with a strong fuel odor. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 19,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11746173
4. Filed Jun 12, 2026Failure Jul 31, 2023Las Vegas, NVEngine

   Complaint regarding 2016 Hyundai Veloster engine oil consumption and warranty denial. In late 2023, at approximately 70,000–80,000 miles, my vehicle began experiencing excessive oil consumption. I reported this issue to Hyundai and authorized dealerships while the vehicle was still under warranty. Since then, I have completed multiple oil consumption tests, inspections, combustion cleanings, and repeated service visits, none of which resulted in a permanent repair or resolution. The oil consumption has continued and worsened over time. I am required to frequently add oil between services, raising serious concerns about engine reliability, safety, and potential engine failure. Despite ongoing documentation and repeated attempts to resolve the issue, Hyundai has not identified or corrected the root cause and has instead relied on temporary measures that have not fixed the problem. Throughout this process, my concerns have often been dismissed or minimized. Customer service has been inconsistent and at times unhelpful, despite a clear and documented history of complaints and repair attempts. Communication has been lacking and I have repeatedly had to advocate for proper attention to my case. These issues were first reported while the vehicle was under warranty, and Hyundai has had multiple opportunities to properly diagnose and repair the defect. Based on the documented history of ongoing oil consumption and repeated unsuccessful repair attempts, I believe Hyundai should honor its warranty obligations. I am requesting a full review of my case, acknowledgement of all warranty-period complaints, and approval of an engine replacement or other permanent repair at no cost to me. I am seeking accountability, fair treatment, and a lasting resolution to an ongoing engine defect.

   NHTSA complaint 11743640
5. Filed Jun 8, 2026Failure Jun 8, 2026Morristown, TNEngine

   2016 Hyundai Veloster with 1.6L Gamma engine experienced repeat catastrophic engine failure consistent with NHTSA Recall 20V746000 / Hyundai Recall 198 for connecting rod bearing failure. Failure #1: At 124,036 miles, engine developed loud knocking noise increasing with RPM, check engine light, and DTCs P0300 (random misfire) + P0303 (cylinder 3 misfire). Dealer repair order documented "broken intake valve on cylinder 3." Engine was replaced at my expense because Hyundai stated VIN was not covered under Recall 198, despite failure mode matching the recall. Failure #2: Hyundai replacement engine failed at 164,410 miles (40,374 miles on replacement engine). Identical symptoms returned: loud metallic knock that increases with RPM, same DTCs P0300/P0303, misfire cylinder 3. Vehicle is currently inoperable. Safety Concern: NHTSA Recall 20V746 states connecting rod bearings "may wear prematurely, which over time can result in engine damage" and "can increase the risk of a fire." Both of my engines suffered catastrophic internal damage at ∼40k-50k mile intervals with identical codes and cylinder 3 failure. A broken intake valve is engine damage directly caused by bearing wear allowing piston-to-valve contact. This is a pattern defect. My VIN was excluded from the recall, yet suffered the exact failure twice. The replacement engine supplied by Hyundai had the same defect. This presents a safety risk of sudden engine stall, loss of power, or fire while driving. Requested Action: Investigation into why VINs experiencing the exact failure mode are excluded from Recall 20V746, and assistance obtaining remedy from Hyundai.

   NHTSA complaint 11742811
6. Filed May 11, 2026Failure Apr 28, 2026santee, SCPower train

   I was driving down the highway when I lost all power to my engine and had to coast off and exit. Prior to the incident there was no indication of a problem. White smoke began coming out of my exhaust. I brought the car to a dealership and they told me that I would need a timing job and a new turbo. They said that my car was starved for oil, regular maintenance had been kept up with on the vehicle.

   NHTSA complaint 11737073
7. Filed Apr 28, 2026Failure Mar 20, 2026Austin, TXEngine

   I was driving on the highway when suddenly the car lost power and the engine light started flashing. I was able to coast into a gas station. The car would no longer start and I was stranded. The next day, we drove back to where the car was stranded and attempted to get it started again, but we were unsuccessful. We had the car towed to a mechanic shop where we were told that the entire engine was blown and needed to be replaced. We had the car towed to the local Hyundai service center so they could inspect the engine. We discovered that the make, model, and year of our Veloster had been subject to an engine recall and these cars were given an extended warranty to 15 years/150,000 miles. Hyundai inspected the engine and refused to provide assistance under the extended warranty/recall. Replacement of the engine is going to cost close to $10,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11734400
8. Filed Apr 15, 2026Failure Apr 12, 202686,494 milesPalm Desert, CAPower train

   The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle shuddered and stalled. The vehicle was restarted. The contact shifted to reverse and pulled into a parking lot. The message that the transmission had overheated was displayed. The contact used a scanner and diagnosed the vehicle with clutch actuator failure. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 86,494.

   NHTSA complaint 11731458
9. Filed Apr 11, 2026Failure Dec 31, 1969Oklahoma City, OKElectrical system, EngineCrash1 injured

   Incident Description: I purchased a 2016 Hyundai Veloster (VIN: KMHTC6ADXGU255844) in May 2025. Shortly after purchase, the vehicle began exhibiting serious mechanical issues, including engine knocking, excessive oil consumption, stalling, misfiring, and loss of power. Despite these ongoing issues, the vehicle is listed as having Recall 198 completed. However, the symptoms associated with that recall continued and progressively worsened. The vehicle ultimately stalled in traffic while I was making a turn, resulting in an accident. In a separate incident, after exiting the vehicle and believing it to be in PARK, the vehicle moved unexpectedly and ran over me, causing serious physical injuries including fractures. Prior to these incidents, the vehicle had ongoing mechanical issues that were not properly resolved. The vehicle also required repeated jump-starts and became unreliable to operate. Additionally, there are discrepancies in the service records. The vehicle was towed to a dealership on or about June 8, 2025 and remained there until approximately July 15, 2025. However, the documentation provided reflects only a limited number of service days and consolidates multiple visits into a single summary. Due to these inconsistencies and the continued presence of failure symptoms, I am unable to verify that recall-related repairs were properly performed. These incidents raise serious concerns about engine failure and possible unintended vehicle movement, both of which present significant safety risks.

   NHTSA complaint 11730509
10. Filed Mar 16, 2026Failure Feb 19, 2026Spring Valley, CAEngine

    I was driving on 8 east freeway when all of a sudden my car lost complete power. Engine light flashing, and couldn't pick up any speed. The truck in back of me almost hit me cause my car wouldn't go. Prior to this incident, my car was and has been working perfectly. . My mom had it towed back home and got a mechanic to check the code and it gave a P1326 code which is exact code for a previous recall on these cars. I contacted Hyundai Corporate and the rep told me to take it into a Hyundai dealership to get repaired but to mention that campaign 966 was performed on the car already. Which was to prevent the p1326 recall from happening. And clearly it didn't.

    NHTSA complaint 11724579
11. Filed Mar 16, 2026Failure Oct 1, 2025Oklahoma City, OKEngineCrash1 injured

    TRAUMATIC CRITICAL FAILURE At [XXX] (XXX), in p/u spot, put car in P, got out, reached in to grab wallet when car lunged into R, as if being driven. Ran over & drug me until it hit another car to stop it. serious pain in L ribs (previously broken & healed 5 yrs prior), felt like sternum re-broken from accident prior year, broken & healed. Back pain. Onlookers horrified & called 911. Taken by ambulance to Baptist Medical Center3300 [XXX] . I told ER Dr about injuries. CT Scan performed, broken ribs, sternum broken & displaced & fracture in spine. MRI completed yr prior after accident & only break was sternum. I have CT Scan & MRI results. Two wks later, in severe pain w ribs, wondered if I had pneumonia (I'm 62),, went to Urgent Care [XXX] took x-rays & called ambulance to pick me up, went to [XXX] [XXX] . Treated for rib & back pain & had a pleural effusion, most likely related to accident. Lost so much income, finally drove & about a mth later, at window at Jack in the Box, put car in P as I waited, after about 1 min, car started going fast into R, wouldn't stop, I had to turn car off. Fixed at Firestone. Broken shifter cable. About month later, still issues, Car threw itself into D when trying to go in R while driving. I assumed car wouldn't go in R. Took to Firestone next day. They said nothing wrong, went in all gears fine other serious car issues from day 1, currently at [XXX] Hyundai [XXX] Issues w car from day one, issues w SM at dealership that did work-alternator, starter, battery, tried to commit fraud, kept car hostage for wk, wouldn't give paperwork when asked for recall 198 Car engine knocking loud, kept running when turned off, consuming massive amts oil, began stalling, causing accident, further issues & my putting $ into car INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

    NHTSA complaint 11724524
12. Filed Mar 12, 2026Failure Oct 1, 2025Sunnyvale, CAEngine

    When changing vehicle oil it has been noticed that there is contaminants appearing to be metal bits/glittery could possibly be rod bearing material. Also have noticed fluctuating idle

    NHTSA complaint 11723898
13. Filed Mar 2, 2026Failure Dec 8, 2025Lantana, FLEngine

    I was instructed by Hyundai USA to tow my Veloster to West Palm Beach Hyundai dealership specifically for the rod bearing diagnostic after I reported huge amount of smoke coming from the engine, engine oil leak, failed thermostat, and failed water pump, all while I was driving to work. I have repeatedly asked for Hyundai USA to send me a copy of the technician's notes, oil pressure test results, and bearing clearance measurements, part of Hyundai's TSB 21-GI-009H. Hyundai USA continues to refuse to release to me the technical rod bearing diagnostic report completed on my 2016 Veloster. Since rod bearing failure is a safety recall issue (stalling), I am listing your help to explicitly request the Service Manager's diagnostic report and photos of the rod bearing clearance test. I can't get to work with my Veloster because it is unsafe to drive and has been at the dealership since January 17, 2026. My safety is at risk.

    NHTSA complaint 11721436
14. Filed Jan 12, 2026Failure Jul 19, 2025Mission, TXEngine

    As I was driving to work one day my 2016 Veloster suddenly lost power on the expressway at expressway speeds. Now that in itself is very dangerous seeing as how there were big rigs around me. Luckily I managed to make it off of the expressway traveling slower than I turtle.i was almost rear ended on various occasions. I parked right away and left to work. I came back later that day and cranked her over and it started,but now with the check engine light blinking. So I attempted to drive it a little and it worked but now I've come to find out that it is in protect mode.I took it to my local Hyundai dealership (Hyundai of pharr) in pharr Texas and was told that Hyundai would not honor their extended warranty because whatever is wrong with it is not covered according to them. So a while back there was a class action lawsuit in California against the Hyundai Corporation of which I was a part of. When it was time for settlement I had a choice of monetary gain or and overly extended warranty on my 2016 Veloster that covered engine and transmission for I believe was 10 more years. So I chose the warranty but Hyundai still won't cover it. I guess I have to wait for my car to catch on fire before they submit the warranty and even then they will blame something else. So here I am,telling my story.

    NHTSA complaint 11710343
15. Filed Jan 7, 2026Failure Jul 4, 2025North Augusta, SCElectrical system

    The climate control knob and AC system failed due to an apparent wiring defect. This is a known issue affecting hundreds or thousands of Hyundai Veloster owners. The failure causes loss of climate control and creates a safety issue due to a lack of defrosting and cabin airflow, as well as electrical fires. I have spent thousands of dollars trying to get this fixed, and mechanics are turning me away.

    NHTSA complaint 11709321
16. Filed Dec 10, 2025Failure Dec 1, 2025Birmingham, ALEngine

    On March 2024, I had my veloster towed to a certified Hyundai service dealer because it suddenly began losing power, the oil light came on, the engine light flickered, and it began making a whining noise, and then the engine died and wouldn’t crank again. It took them weeks to diagnose it, and they told me the turbo was out in it, and quoted me an absurd amount to replace it. I had the turbo replaced, as well as some gaskets, the coils and spark plugs. It ran fine after that until June 2025 when the oil and check engine light came on and the engine died again while we were coming home from a vacation, 2 hours south of where we live in a tiny town that had no dealership or rental company within 100 miles. We found a small mechanic who said it needed a lower fuel pump. He put one in it and we got back on the road, but it still wasn’t running as well as it should. It don’t have quite as much power, but no dash lights came on. When I got home I took it to another local certified Hyundai service dealer, who said it needed new coils and spark plugs again, so they replaced them. Again it ran fine for a while until the day after thanksgiving this year, 11/25, when the oil light came on again at the end of my road. I took it to another local certified auto parts store who read the codes and found no suggested fix. No certified dealers were open that day, so I took it to Pep Boys where the engine light came on when I pulled in, and who said they thought it needed new timing solenoids, and put them in it. When they finished, they drove it and told me they felt like the turbo was going out and advised I take it to the dealer again. I had it towed to a certified Hyundai service dealer on Monday 12/01/25. They diagnosed it as needing a new turbo (again), a lower oil pan, and an oil switch. Quoted $3550. Over a week later today they told me that after putting it all in and tiring it on that the oil light came back on. They have now diagnosed it as needing an oil pump.

    NHTSA complaint 11704302
17. Filed Dec 9, 2025Failure Sep 21, 2025125,367 milesMorrisville, NCEngine and engine cooling

    The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Veloster. While the contact’s wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly lost power, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle then stalled at a stoplight. The vehicle was restarted and immediately driven to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the engine compression was abnormal and advised the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that while at the dealer, the service and diagnostic guidelines were not followed regarding the NHTSA Action Number: EA21003 (ENGINE), and the coverage was denied. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 125,367.

    NHTSA complaint 11703931
18. Filed Dec 9, 2025Failure Nov 28, 2025Acworth, GAEngine, Fuel/propulsion system, Power train

    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)

    NHTSA complaint 11703913
19. Filed Nov 25, 2025Failure Nov 6, 2025Delray Beach, FLPower train

    King Hyundai hung up/refused free Recall 198 inspection despite confirmed defect (rod bearing/crank damage). VIN [XXX] . Case #1824300. Safety risk—stall/fire. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

    NHTSA complaint 11701492
20. Filed Oct 20, 2025Failure Sep 1, 2024Appleton, WIEngine

    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.

    NHTSA complaint 11694568