Reliable Auto DB

2019 Hyundai Veloster reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2019 Hyundai Veloster holds 42 complaints after 8 years, a rate of 5 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Veloster years here — over the median of the other years, which is 4. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Engine and Latch.

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

42

Per year

5

Recalls

2

Years on the road

8

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (18 of 42), then Structure (8) and Electrical system (6). Those filings include 2 that report a crash and 2 that report an injury.

Next to 2018 and 2020

The 2018 Veloster has 0 complaints, 0 per year, and the 2020 has 24 complaints, 5 per year. The 2019 has more complaints per year than the 2018. The 2019 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2020.

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 2019 Hyundai Veloster. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (2)

Recall Engine 2021-04-28 · NHTSA campaign 21V301000
Summary Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Elantra, 2019-2021 Kona and Veloster vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which could result in engine damage.
Remedy Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Hyundai will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. Owner notification letters were mailed August 24, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.
Recall latches, locks, and linkages, doors, latch 2019-04-17 · NHTSA campaign 19V311000
Summary Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019 Veloster vehicles. In certain side impact crashes, the driver's door latch housing and locking cable can become damaged, allowing the driver's side door to open.
Remedy Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side door latch assembly and lower channel, free of charge. The recall began June 17, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 183.

Complaints by component (42 total)

Engine
18
Structure
8
Electrical system
6
Engine and engine cooling
3
Speed control
3
Steering
3
Forward collision avoidance
2
Fuel and propulsion system
2
Powertrain
2
Service brakes
2
Visibility and wipers
2
Air bags
1
Back-over prevention
1
Latches, locks, and linkages
1
Suspension
1
Wheels
1
Show 8 more Show less
Crash-flagged

2

Fire-flagged

0

Injury reports

2

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

6201952020420212202292023820246202522026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH with his two-year-old daughter in the vehicle, the automatic emergency braking system erroneously engaged and caused the vehicle to…"
    Forward collision avoidance · filed 2026-07-31
  • "I started to hear a grinding sound when breaking and I took it into a Meineke dealer to see about getting it fixed. During a general diagnostic they discovered that 3 of the four brakes were not working and the calipers…"
    Service brakes · filed 2026-01-07
  • "Engine locked on me during driving almost caused a car rear ending me during rush hour. Called AAA and they printed out a recall form for over heated piston that may cause engine damage. Towed to Tito Auto care and then…"
    Engine · filed 2025-11-11
  • "The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate, the vehicle failed to respond with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer…"
    Engine · filed 2025-09-26
  • "Attempted to pull out of our neighborhood and car check engine light as well as every other light came on on the dashboard. Car completely loss power and stalled in the middle of the road. Multiple attempts to re-start…"
    Engine · filed 2025-08-09

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2019 Hyundai Veloster 3 HB 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 Automatic (7-speed) Front-wheel drive 28 34 30 MPG $2150
Veloster 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 27 34 30 MPG $2150
Veloster 2L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed Front-wheel drive 25 33 28 MPG $2300
Veloster 1.6L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed Front-wheel drive 26 33 29 MPG $2250
Veloster N 2L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed Front-wheel drive 22 28 25 MPG $3200

Specs and fitment

2nd generation, 2019–2021
Body styles Hatchback
Oil 5W-20/5W-30 (2.0L); 5W-30/5W-40 (1.6L turbo, see manual by climate) , 4.2 qt capacity
Tire size 215/45R17, 225/40R18, 235/35R19 (N Performance Package)

Known issues for this generation

Recall 21V-301 covers certain 2019-2021 Veloster vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines (and Elantra/Kona models named in the campaign): piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which can damage the engine, cause stalling, and allow oil to leak onto hot exhaust parts. Dealers inspect and replace the engine as needed and deploy PNSS software. Recall 19V-311 covers certain 2019 Veloster vehicles: in some side impacts the driver door latch housing and locking cable can be damaged so the door can open; dealers replace the latch assembly and lower channel.

Compare

Next year 2020 Hyundai Veloster See every Hyundai Veloster model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2019 Hyundai Veloster reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2019 Hyundai Veloster holds 42 complaints after 8 years, a rate of 5 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Veloster years here — over the median of the other years, which is 4. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Engine and Latch.

What are common problems with a 2019 Hyundai Veloster?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (18 of 42), then Structure (8) and Electrical system (6). Those filings include 2 that report a crash and 2 that report an injury.

Is the 2019 Hyundai Veloster more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2018 Veloster has 0 complaints, 0 per year, and the 2020 has 24 complaints, 5 per year. The 2019 has more complaints per year than the 2018. The 2019 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2020.

Has the 2019 Hyundai Veloster been recalled?

The 2019 Hyundai Veloster has 2 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 2019 Hyundai Veloster?

Owners have filed 42 complaints about the 2019 Hyundai Veloster with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2019 Hyundai Veloster get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2019 Hyundai Veloster is 28.4 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.