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2016 Hyundai Veloster Complaints

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

221

Total

15

Crashes

4

Fires

11

Injuries

0

Deaths

Most Reported Components

ENGINE
159
OTHER
19
AIR BAGS
11
ELECTRICAL
10
BRAKES
8

Recent Complaints

ODI #11751038

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)

ODI #11746173

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.

ODI #11743640

ENGINE — Filed 07/31/2023

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.

ODI #11742811

ENGINE — Filed 06/08/2026

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.

ODI #11737073

POWER TRAIN — Filed 04/28/2026

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.

ODI #11734400

ENGINE — Filed 03/20/2026

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.

ODI #11731458

POWER TRAIN — Filed 04/12/2026

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.

ODI #11730509Crash

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.

ODI #11724524Crash

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)

ODI #11724579

ENGINE — Filed 02/19/2026

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.

About This Data

Complaints are filed by vehicle owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). They represent individual consumer experiences and do not necessarily indicate a widespread defect.

View on NHTSA.gov