2015 Hyundai Veloster Complaints

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 09/26/2026

Climate control module burnt out (highly common problem). Replaced it along with new connection and it melted the control switch and fried the connector again. Hyundai has acknowledged this very common issue but still hasn't done a recall for the cheap wiring in the vehicle. Ive had smoke come out of my dash the 1st time. They dont sell the control know individually so you have to buy the whole console and they dont sell new connector so you have to buy the entire wiring harness and either take the dash off yourself to replace or take it in to be fixed and pay the hefty price for it. Please make them fix this because im very surprised someone's car hasn't caught fire yet.

SEAT BELTS,STRUCTURE,ENGINE — Filed 12/10/2024

2015 Hyundai Veloster Turbo (original owner). The vehicle has three severe safety defects: TRUNK/HATCH LATCH FAILURE: The hatchback lift support/latch fails, refusing to stay open. It unexpectedly fell, which has caused repeated, severe impacts to my head and neck, resulting in an injury requiring surgery. I must manually prop it open with a mini ball to load cargo. ENGINE & TURBO FAILURE / OIL CONSUMPTION: History of engine acceleration issues and turbo failures since 4,000 miles. At 44,000 miles, the turbo completely failed, the car started to whine, then rattle, and completely turned off. Dealer (Hyundai Escondido) forced a $2,200 out-of-pocket replacement despite being under warranty, citing a lack of at-home oil change receipts. The vehicle now has a documented, rapid oil leak and excessive consumption issue that the dealer refuses to repair, despite being reported prior to warranty expiration. SEAT BELTS: The front and rear seat belt latches are malfunctioning, intermittently releasing on their own, failing to release properly, or failing to latch securely, compromising the safety of a [XXX] passenger. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

POWER TRAIN — Filed 01/15/2026

The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle and shifting into gear, the vehicle failed to respond and became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the rear axle was replaced, the transmission fluid was flushed and refilled, and a shift analyzer software update was performed; however, the failure recurred days later. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was determined that the wheel speed sensor had failed. Upon investigating the failure online, the contact advised the dealer to inspect the crankshaft position sensor; however, the dealer informed the contact that the failure was related to the transmission. The contact was informed that the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired, and the contact was advised to retrieve the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and covered the cost of the rear axle replacement under a goodwill assistance program. Several cases were filed, and the contact sent a video of the failure to the manufacturer. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 04/18/2026

The climate control fan knob suddenly stopped working. I smelled a burning smell on the interior of the car. I pulled the panel off and noticed that the plug to the climate control harness was burnt. I can no longer utilize the climate control system.

ENGINE — Filed 04/10/2026

I am reporting a safety-related engine defect involving sudden internal engine failure, excessive oil consumption, persistent bearing knock, and overheating of the catalytic converter. The vehicle repeatedly triggered Bank 1&2O2 sensor fault codes due to oil blow-by and thermal overload. A certified mechanic documented the engine is failing internally and that the cat. converter has been damaged as a direct result of engine defect. The failure pattern is consistent with known Hyundai engine defect investigations involving bearing wear, oil consumption, stalling, and fire risk. The overheating cat. converter presents a significant safety hazard, including potential engine seizure. I purchased the vehicle used in March 2025. I am the third owner. Despite maintaining the vehicle responsibly (Regular oil changes), the engine failure progressed rapidly. Hyundai Motor America has denied a goodwill repair solely on the basis of mileage, even though the defect clearly originated long before my ownership and aligns with previously identified safety-related engine issues. Additionally, Hyundai's records show that this vehicle had an engine-related recall active during prior ownership period; the recall was never performed by the Hyundai dealership that sold the vehicle to the previous owner. This raises concerns about improper recall handling and whether the defect should have been corrected before the vehicle was resold. Given the safety implications, the documented defect pattern, and the unresolved recall history, I am requesting NHTSA's review of this matter. The engine failure poses a serious safety risk; Hyundai's refusal to address a known defect, the vehicle is unsafe to operate. Timeline: 2014 Hatchett Hyundai West, KS 17,665 mi.; 2017-H. West serviced vehicle, 58,918; 2019-Engine powertrain alert 83856mi; 2020- Edmund Hyundai, OK-engine power train 100179 mi; 2021- Edmund 145418mi.; Hy. Noblesville, IN 167,603mi.; 2024 - H.N. 171937; 2025 - denied repair 188890.

ENGINE — Filed 12/28/2025

I took my car to Gilroy Hyundai November 11, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. because my engine was not running normal, it shook lightly while driving at an incline and the engine light would not shut off. they charged me $284.99 to tell me what needed to be fixed, engine was not looked per Ernesto Garcia. Ernest told me they go by mileage, not actually checking the engine. He also stated that the mechanic drove it and it was fine. December 28, I was driving from Chico, CA back home to Morgan Hill, CA and the car shook and just died and left me on the side of Highway 505 Winters/San Francisco. I had it towed to Moorehead Automotive in Fairfield, CA and they said this car needs a new engine. I still owe 7,000.00 on this car and have had trouble with both Hyundai and Power (the additional insurance I purchased when i bought this car.)

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING — Filed 09/14/2025

The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who performed a tune-up on the vehicle. The contact stated that several days after the tune-up, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that while the vehicle was stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle hesitated and sounded as if the vehicle was going to stall. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the engine was losing pressure and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact stated that before the vehicle had the tune-up, the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact had not noticed any oil stains on the ground. The check engine light was occasionally illuminated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING — Filed 10/27/2024

The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Veloster. The contact reported that oil was leaking out of the exhaust. The vehicle was sputtering and running rough while driving at various speeds, and hesitated while accelerating. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to diagnose the failure. The dealer informed the contact that metal shavings were found in the oil pan during the oil change. The contact stated that the Oxygen sensors and catalytic converter were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was contacted and advised the contact to return the vehicle to the dealer. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

ENGINE — Filed 10/14/2025

Excessive engine oil consumption causing fouled spark plugs engine stalling. Engine was replace due to defective rod bearings at 98 000 mile under warranty and recall. Engine now ha 130,000 miles piston rings have failed. Stalled on busy freeway almost causing mutual crash.I have an appointment at the Hyundai delership October 28th 2015. Hyundai replaced one defective engine with another.

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE — Filed 07/17/2025

The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a local dealer for a recall repair; however, after leaving the dealer, while driving approximately 30-40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle failed to shift into gear. The vehicle sat for two hours before being restarted and slowly driven to the place of employment, and was then driven to the residence. The contact was unable to determine if there were any warning lights illuminated. The contact called the dealer and was provided with information for towing services and a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 176,000.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE — Filed 06/24/2025

ABS, EPS, check engine light appeared on dashboard then car’s steering wheel stiffed and car lost power. Vehicle’s hood smells burnt and has fumes come out after driving for 10-20minutes. My safety and my family’s was endangered as this happened while driving on the road. Not at a stop sign or a red traffic light but while driving. The dealer has refused to inspect/address the issue without having me paid close to $2,500.00 for other repairs.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 02/25/2025

The climate control switch melted. Available for inspection I was getting smoked out by plastic fumes. Researched this issues with all data No No lights.

ENGINE — Filed 04/08/2025

Motor started knocking yesterday 4/8/25 which was immediately followed by multiple dash sensors for oil and battery. As I pulled over to get assistance at a Jiffy Lube, the car stalled and wasn’t drivable but they also confirmed that the car should not be driven for risk of blowing the engine. Will be taking my vehicle in for an evaluation as soon as I am able to get it towed for further inspection and diagnostics.

ENGINE — Filed 06/03/2023

Spun rod bearings. Noticed that was the issue with play in piston doing a screwdriver test and noticing thru under the oil pan before tear down. Had to pry the bearing off with pliers and hit with a screwdriver to remove. I have plenty of photos and videos

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE — Filed 01/30/2025

I HAVE A RECALL ON THE HYUNDAI 2015 VELOSTER FOR FOUR YEARS SINCE THE LAWSUIT THAT YOU TOLD HYUNDAI CORP TO PUT LIFETIME WARRANTY ON DEFECTIVE CARS THGEY HAVE DONE NOTHING TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. MY CAR AGAIN IS BROKE DOWN TO OIL AROUND SPARKPLUGS I WENT THROUGH THE SAME PROBLEM IN OCT 2023 WHICH THEY PUT A GASKET ON IT AND CHARGE ME 505.00 DOLLARS. NOW THEY ARE MAKING IT HARD TO FIND A ENGINE TO REPLACED THE MANUFACTURED DEFECT ENGINE IN IT. DEBRIS IN CRANKSHAFT AND THEN SOLD WHICH CAUSE THE CONNECTING ROD PROBLEM PREMATURE. I NEED MY CAR AND CAN'T AFFORD ANOTHER PLEASE HELP ME GET THIS RESOLVE

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 06/24/2024

On 06/252024 I was driving on my way home and my cars climate control were unresponsive and I smelt something burning. I arrived home removed the center console of my vehicle and noticed the AC control plug had melted and was burnt.

STRUCTURE — Filed 04/21/2023

The car was repaired at a Hyundai dealership less than a month prior to the incident. I was driving down a road with no one around besides me and my passenger when all of a sudden Orange sparks start flying out the sides of the car, I slow down and pull over as fast as I could, then I noticed fire on the passenger side and hurried us out the car. It proceeded to burn away until the firefighters came.

ENGINE — Filed 04/01/2023

We purchased the vehicle in March 2022 and in May 2022 the engine light came on and there was knocking in the engine until finally the engine quit while driving. Upon inspection of the engine it appeared to have blown as there was oil all under the hood. The car was towed and serviced at a Hyundai dealer and I was told it needed a new engine. They put another engine in the car. We got the car back December 31, 2022 with the "new/used" engine and that night the engine overheated and had to be towed back to the dealer that did the repairs costing almost $10K. They repaired the engine again, saying that they put another engine in and we got the car back in late February 2023. April 2023 the car engine light came on again and the car began to smoke. My son had been driving, pulled into our driveway, popped the hood to see why it was smoking and the car then caught fire! My son could have been seriously hurt or even worse! The car has been inspected by our insurance company and is now claiming a total loss. I have since emailed the pictures of the car to the service manager at the dealer where the work was done and he is claiming that he can't tell by the pictures what caused the fire. This is the SECOND engine they put in this car!

ENGINE — Filed 03/17/2022

ENGINE LOCKED AND STARTER WAS FIRE BURNING WITH NO PREVIOUS ISSUES

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 12/26/2021

My 2015 Hyundai Veloster Turbo had no open recalls. On 12/26/21, while stopped at a light, the car stalled, then started smoking, and caught fire almost instantly. There are known fire issues for similar models for which there are open recalls, but my car was not a part of these recalls.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 07/17/2021

My car caught on fire and burn up I was almost killed

VISIBILITY/WIPER — Filed 08/25/2020

THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT ABOUT 20 MILES AN HOUR ON A WELL MAINTAINED CITY STREET AND THE REAR HATCHBACK GLASS SHATTERED COMPLETELY.

ENGINE — Filed 02/26/2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 HYUNDAI VELOSTER. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AS THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD AND OBSERVED FLAMES AROUND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 53,000.

VISIBILITY — Filed 08/18/2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2015 HYUNDAI VELOSTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE SUNROOF SHATTERED. AS A RESULT, THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,246.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 12/05/2015

I WAS DRIVING THE 2015 VELOSTER TURBO ON A STRAIGHT PORTION OF THE FREEWAY BETWEEN 65 AND 70 MILES PER HOUR WITH THE SUNROOF OPEN. THE SUNROOF SHATTERED UNEXPECTEDLY, AND GLASS FLEW BOTH INTO THE CAR, AND OUT BEHIND THE CAR. THE GLASS LANDED ON MY ARMS, HEAD, LAP, AND WENT DOWN MY BACK AS WELL. I SWERVED TO THE RIGHT AS A REFLEX TO BEING STARTLED, AND THEN OVERCORRECTED AND WENT LEFT PAST MY LANE. I DID NOT HIT ANY CARS, HOWEVER. GLASS KEPT FALLING ON TO THE FREEWAY, INTO THE CAR, AND ON MY HEAD FOR A FEW MORE MINUTES AS I MADE MY WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT. ONCE AT THE DEALERSHIP, I INSPECTED THE DAMAGE AND FOUND THAT THE GLASS SHARDS HAD MADE MANY CUTS INTO THE PAINT TOWARD THE BACK HALF OF THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP LATER HAD ME CIRCLE THESE SCRATCHED WITH A WAX PEN. INITIALLY, I WAS GOING TO BE CHARGED A DIAGNOSTIC FEE, BUT WHEN I MENTIONED THAT THIS HAD BEEN AN ISSUE FOR PREVIOUS YEAR MODELS, ANOTHER SERVICE CONSULTANT JUMPED IN AND TOLD ME IT WOULD ALL BE TAKEN CARE OF UNDER WARRANTY.