2016 Hyundai Veloster Complaints

ENGINE — Filed 02/01/2026

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated that while driving 15 MPH, there was a knocking sound coming from the engine, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that due to the failure, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact stated that there was an oil odor coming from the vehicle while entering and inspecting the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that there was oil leaking from the vehicle while at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure by telephone and email, and several cases were opened. The failure mileage was approximately 100,144.

SEAT BELTS — Filed 03/01/2026

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.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 06/13/2026

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)

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE — Filed 09/27/2022

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE — Filed 12/31/1969

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.

ENGINE — Filed 10/01/2025

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)

ENGINE — Filed 11/23/2023

How do I get help with a complaint against Hyundai for non compliance . This is my 2nd engine fire!!

ENGINE — Filed 12/31/2022

The engine overheated with no lights on the dash and the engine block cracked

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING — Filed 10/21/2022

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH a loud booming sound from the engine compartment had occurred and a knocking noise followed along with white smoke from the exhaust pipes. The vehicle drove off the road before flames were present coming from under the hood. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames. A police report was taken and the vehicle was towed away. No injuries were reported. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not yet contacted. The contact indicated that the vehicle had previously been serviced several times for a faulty engine and catalytic converter. The failure mileage was 100,000.

ENGINE — Filed 07/18/2021

I took my 2016 Veloster in because my car was included in the rod bearing shavings possibly going back into engine and cause fire. I have since taken my car proven they didn’t pull the filters out or the oil pan to look for shavings as it’s should be check that way to ensure no findings of metal In oil. My car was in their service for over 28 hours without it being looked at. I called and somehow 15 minutes later the car is done and come get it and nothing is wrong ! I call BS my car is still a safety problem. I still have the bogging of the engine and times I press gas and car won’t move. My family owns a collision shop grew up around cars still am and there is no way you can plug a computer into the module and it show you metal shavings. Can only be done by removing filter cutting it open and pulling the oil pan. I asked to see it and the refused ! I am not happy with my car and how it cannot drive normal and it’s a serious safety concern. I want my engine replaced as the recall states or replace my entire car I’m filing a law suit against Hyundai and their lack Of concern or lying and not properly handling such a Serious recall. Till you pull my engine and prove to me there is zero unwanted metal in my engine I will continue to contact news shows the news papers and motor trend. I refuse to be treated like I’m an idiot when I had questions and asked them about the pan being pulled and filter removed they said we only need to connect it to the computer. That’s a lie you cannot get metal settlement from a computer !! I have now had 2 other mechanics look at it and they will testify my engine needs to be pulled out replaced and or get me into a safe car or the lawsuit will only cost Hyundai

POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE — Filed 01/29/2021

MY CAR HESITATED FROM A STOP SIGN, THEN LAUNCHED FORWARD CAUSING IT TO UNCONTROLLABLY JUMP FORWARD VERY FAST. WHEN I WENT TO HIT THE BRAKES THEY FAILED TO ACTIVE, AND HAD TO PULL THE E BRAKE. THE CAR HAS HAD A SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR THE TCM ON MY DCT TRANSMISSION BUT THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO NOT BE ABLE TO BE FIXED. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, AND COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT OR DEATH.

ENGINE — Filed 09/03/2020

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.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 01/12/2020

ON 1/12/2020, WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, THE VEHICLE STALLED OUT AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. WITHIN A MINUTE FIRE ERUPTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. I WAS GOING ABOUT 30 MILES AN HOUR IN VERY LIGHT TRAFFIC. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THEY DETERMINED ONSITE THAT THE FIRE WAS DUE TO A FUEL LEAK. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. PRIOR TO THIS ON 10/3/2019 I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I THOUGHT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING GAS. THEY INSPECTED THE CAR AND SAID THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY DID NOT IDENTIFY ANY GAS LEAK. WE HAVE CONTACTED THEM SINCE THE FIRE AND THEY ARE DENYING ANY RESPONSIBILITY. THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER VEHICLE FIRES REPORTED ON HYUNDAIS.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 11/10/2018

WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER INSTANTLY OVERHEATED WITHIN SECONDS AFTER TURNING IT ON. *BF*JB

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,ENGINE — Filed 09/03/2019

PREVIOUS COMPLAINT # NHTSA FOR THIS ISSUE IS 11254423.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,ENGINE — Filed 09/03/2019

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

AIR BAGS — Filed 05/19/2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 HYUNDAI VELOSTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING IN RAIN AT APPROXIMATELY 22 MPH, THE DRIVER HYDROPLANED AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. DURING THE INCIDENT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED BUT NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHT THAT ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A FACE CONTUSION AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS SOUGHT. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY AS IT WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER KEY HYUNDAI OF MILFORD (566 BRIDGEPORT AVE MILFORD CT.) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

STEERING — Filed 03/25/2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI VELOSTER. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE, CRASHED INTO THE MEDIAN, AND CROSSED THE HIGHWAY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD, NECK, AND BACK INJURIES, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT LOT. THE CONTACT CALLED MIKE MILLER HYUNDAI (2007 W PIONEER PKWY, PEORIA, IL 61615, (888) 372-7350) AND LEFT A VOICE MESSAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000.

AIR BAGS,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 09/27/2017

IN SEPTEMBER 2017 I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT IN WHERE MY 2016 HYUNDAI VELOSTER BASE WAS T-BONED ON THE RIGHT REAR SIDE BY AN INFINITI SUV. I HAD FILED A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT WITH THE CALIFORNIA ATTORNEY GENERAL AGAINST HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA AND ALSO A COMPLAINT AGAINST HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA THEMSELVES. MY COMPLAINT WAS BASED ON THE FACT THAT MY VEHICLE WAS STRUCK AT A SPEED OF GREATER THAN 30 MILES PER HOUR AND LESS THAN 60 MILES PER HOUR AND THAT THE DAMAGES DONE TO MY VEHICLE WERE RIGHT ON THE RIGHT REAR AIRBAG SENSOR BUT NONE OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THERE HAS ALSO BEEN A LINGERING ODOR OF LEAKING GAS BUT HYUNDAI REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO TAKE FAULT. SINCE THAT I HAVE HAD SEVERE MIGRAINES AND DEVELOPED REALLY BAD ARTHRITIS IN BOTH ARMS AND BOTH SHOULDERS. MY PREVIOUS INSURANCE COMPANY PAID OUT MORE MONEY TO THE PEOPLE THAT HIS ME AND DEEMED THE ACCIDENT A 50/50 FAULT ON BOTH PARTIES. EVEN THOUGH THE FAULT WAS ON BOTH PARTIES, THAT HAS NO BEARING ON A FAULTY AIRBAG SENSOR NOR DOES IT HAVE ANY BEARING ON HYUNDAI'S RIGHT TO NOT DO ANYTHING FOR ME. WHAT I HAD REQUESTED OF HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA PREVIOUSLY WAS PAYOFF OF MY CURRENT VEHICLE OR A NEW VEHICLE THAT DOESN'T HAVE FAULTY EQUIPMENT.

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 07/10/2018

AT APPROXIMATELY 37,000 MILES CURRENTLY AND PROPER DOCUMENTED MAINTENANCE AND CHECK REQUESTS ON VEHICLE, THIS CAR APPEARS TO NOT STOP AS IT SHOULD WHILE IN MOTION WHETHER AT HIGH SPEEDS OR LOW SPEEDS AND "SURGES" AND REQUIRES A LONGER STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH IS APPARENT IN ANY DRIVING WEATHER CONDITIONS. NO OBVIOUS SIGNS OF BRAKE WEAR OR REPLACEMENT NEEDS. NO INDICATOR SOUNDS.

AIR BAGS — Filed 03/19/2018

TAKATA AIRBAG IN STEERING WHEEL DIDN'T WORK. SUFFERED BRAIN INJURY. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION GOING OVER 50 MPH ON JACKSONVILLE FLORIDA I95, HIT MEDIAN HEAD ON.

AIR BAGS — Filed 03/19/2018

[XXX] WAS IN A CAR CRASH AND HIS AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CRASH REPORT NUMBER IS [XXX], COMPLETED BY THE FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 09/27/2017

CAR WAS T-BONED AT 60 MPH ON REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WHILE HAVING BACKPACK THAT WEIGHED IN EXCESS OF 65LBS IN REAR PASSENGER (RIGHT SIDE)AND NO RIGHT SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED EVEN THOUGH THE IMPACT WAS RIGHT AT THE AIRBAG SENSOR. IMMEDIATELY AFTER ACCIDENT CARBDROVE FINE FOR ABOUT 1 HOIUR AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN STARTED TO HESITATE DURING ACCELERATION. CAR WAS IN SHOP FOR ROUGGHLY 22 DAYS AND WHEN CAR CAME OUT OF BODY SHOP CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND TURN OFF FREQUENTLY.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 05/15/2017

DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS AND FOOT OFF OF GAS, ENGINE SCREAMS BUT THE CAR DOES NOT MOVE EVEN THOUGH IT IS IN DRIVE. SLOWLY GOING UP A HILL IN DRIVE ECHO, ENGINE DIES AS I PRESS DOWN ON GAS PEDAL.

VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE — Filed 01/26/2017

I WAS DRIVING ~60 MPH ON A NEW/SMOOTH HIGHWAY (I-60 IN MESA) THAT WAS EMPTY (NO CARS WERE IN FRONT OF ME FOR AT LEAST 2 MILES). THE SUNROOF/PANORAMIC-ROOF SUDDENLY SHATTERED (EXPLODED) AND THE GLASS FLEW EVERYWHERE. GLASS FELL ON MY HEAD, EVERYWHERE IN THE CAR AND EVEN DAMAGED THE CAR ANTENNA AND SPOILER (ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR). THE TEMPERATURE WAS ~60 DEGREES F, THERE WERE NO ROCKS/DEBRIS FLYING AROUND AND THE CAR WAS DRIVING SMOOTHLY (NO BUMPS ON THE ROAD). THE DEALERSHIP IS TELLING ME A ROCK HIT IT (EVEN THOUGH THERE IS NO EVIDENCE) AND ARE MAKING ME COVER THE REPAIRS! THIS IS NOT RIGHT. *TR