Reliable Auto DB

2012 Hyundai Veloster reliability

Is it reliable?

Owners have filed 296 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Hyundai Veloster over 15 years — 31 per year. That is the most complaints per year among the 10 Veloster years on this site. NHTSA has 6 recalls on file, including Brake control module, Electrical system, and Electrical.

2012 Hyundai Veloster
Photo by Kevauto, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

296

Per year

31

Recalls

6

Years on the road

15

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (61 of 296), then Visibility (55) and Steering (42). Those filings include 15 that report a crash, 8 that report a fire, and 25 that report an injury.

Next to 2013

The 2013 Veloster has 423 complaints, 21 per year. The 2012 has more complaints per year than the 2013.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2012 Hyundai Veloster. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (6)

Recall Brake control module 2023-09-22 · NHTSA campaign 23V651000
Summary Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Remedy Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.
Recall Electrical system 2023-02-28 · NHTSA campaign 23V132000
Summary Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Veloster vehicles. High conductive liquid may leak into the Reverse Park Aid Sensor (RPAS), which can result in an electrical short circuit.
Remedy Dealers will inspect and replace the RPAS fuse and sensor, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 28, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 242.
Recall equipment, electrical 2020-07-02 · NHTSA campaign 20V393000
Summary Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Hyundai Elantra and Sonata Hybrid, 2012 Accent and Veloster vehicles. The 12V accessory socket outlet may have been over-tightened during installation, possibly disabling the thermal fuse and allowing the outlet to overheat with prolonged use, such as by using the Tire Mobility Kit air compressor to inflate a tire.
Remedy Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the Tire Mobility Kit accessory outlet plug with a direct-to-battery connection wire harness kit, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 193.
Recall visibility, sunroof 2013-02-19 · NHTSA campaign 13V051000
Summary Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2012 Veloster vehicles manufactured from July 4, 2011, through October 31, 2011 and equipped with panoramic sunroofs. The panoramic sunroof assembly may have been weakened during installation at the factory.
Remedy Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the sunroof's integrity and replace the sunroof glass assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began during March 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
Recall visibility, sunroof 2012-12-07 · NHTSA campaign 12V568000
Summary Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2012 Veloster vehicles manufactured from November 1, 2011, through April 17, 2012 and equipped with panoramic sunroofs. The panoramic sunroof assembly may been weakened during installation at the factory.
Remedy Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the sunroof's integrity and replace the sunroof glass assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began January 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
Recall Parking brake linkage and cable 2012-12-07 · NHTSA campaign 12V567000
Summary Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2012 Veloster vehicles manufactured from July 2, 2011, through February 27, 2012 and equipped with manual transmissions. Moisture and road grime may cause the parking brake components to bind.
Remedy Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear brake caliper assemblies free of charge. The safety recall began January 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.

Complaints by component (296 total)

Engine
61
Visibility
55
Steering
42
Electrical system
38
Powertrain
31
Structure
25
Service brakes
19
Speed control
15
Visibility and wipers
15
Air bags
12
Wheels
12
Hydraulic brakes
8
Seat belts
7
Tires
5
Engine and engine cooling
4
Fuel and propulsion system
4
Electronic stability control (ESC)
3
Suspension
3
Exterior lighting
2
Forward collision avoidance
2
Parking brake
2
Equipment
1
Fuel system, gasoline
1
Seats
1
Show 16 more Show less
Crash-flagged

15

Fire-flagged

8

Injury reports

25

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

120114520122420132420141720151620161620172220183520192120201520211820221820231420246202542026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated that while driving 37 - 40 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle made knocking sounds. Additionally, while parking the vehicle, there was…"
    Engine and engine cooling · filed 2026-09-10
  • "While driving on the interstate, at approximately 70mph, the sunroof glass shattered causing glass to fall into the vehicle and into the face of the driver. This was not caused by any outside object or force, but simply…"
    Unknown or other · filed 2026-06-26
  • "The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the local dealer for an unknown recall repair. Upon retrieving the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The…"
    Powertrain, Speed control, Engine · filed 2026-03-03
  • "On January 15, 2026, at approximately 7:51 a.m., my son was involved in a motor vehicle collision that disabled three vehicles. His vehicle sustained significant damage and was declared a total loss. During the…"
    Air bags, Seat belts · filed 2026-01-23
  • "After an update for a recall for brake issues, the dealership updated the knock sensor update without my consent. After the knock sensor software was installed, my 2012 Hyundai veloster will not operate without going…"
    Speed control, Engine, Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2025-08-29

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2012 Hyundai Veloster 2 DR FWD Not rated Not rated Not rated Not rated

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Veloster 1.6L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed Front-wheel drive 27 37 31 MPG $2100
Veloster 1.6L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 27 35 30 MPG $2150

Specs and fitment

1st generation, 2012–2017
Body styles Hatchback
Oil 5W-20/5W-30 (1.6L NA); 5W-30/5W-40 (1.6L turbo) , 3.8 qt capacity
Tire size 215/45R17, 215/40R18 (trim dependent)

Compare

Next year 2013 Hyundai Veloster See every Hyundai Veloster model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Hyundai Veloster reliable?

Owners have filed 296 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Hyundai Veloster over 15 years — 31 per year. That is the most complaints per year among the 10 Veloster years on this site. NHTSA has 6 recalls on file, including Brake control module, Electrical system, and Electrical.

What are common problems with a 2012 Hyundai Veloster?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (61 of 296), then Visibility (55) and Steering (42). Those filings include 15 that report a crash, 8 that report a fire, and 25 that report an injury.

Is the 2012 Hyundai Veloster more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2013 Veloster has 423 complaints, 21 per year. The 2012 has more complaints per year than the 2013.

Has the 2012 Hyundai Veloster been recalled?

The 2012 Hyundai Veloster has 6 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2012 Hyundai Veloster?

Owners have filed 296 complaints about the 2012 Hyundai Veloster with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2012 Hyundai Veloster get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2012 Hyundai Veloster is 30.5 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What generation is the 2020 Hyundai Veloster?

2nd generation (2019-2021).

What oil does a Hyundai Veloster take?

Viscosity depends on engine: natural-aspirated rows often list 5W-20/5W-30; turbo rows list 5W-30/5W-40 per the manual.

What tire sizes does a Hyundai Veloster use?

Common sizes include 215/45R17 and 215/40R18; second-gen N Performance Package also lists 235/35R19.