2020 Hyundai Veloster reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2020 Hyundai Veloster has 24 complaints with NHTSA after 7 years, or 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 1 recall on file, including Engine.

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

Complaints

Per year

Recalls

Years on the road

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (9 of 24), then Powertrain (3) and Electrical system (2).

Next to 2019 and 2021

The 2019 Veloster has 42 complaints, 5 per year, and the 2021 has 11 complaints, 4 per year. The 2020 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2019. The 2020 has more complaints per year than the 2021.

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 2020 Hyundai Veloster. How we count. Data as of 2026-10-16.

Recalls (1)

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.

Complaints by component (24 total)

Engine

Powertrain

Electrical system

Steering

Structure

Exterior lighting

Forward collision avoidance

Fuel and propulsion system

Fuel system, gasoline

Lane departure

Seats

Speed control

Wheels

Show 5 more Show less

Crash-flagged

Fire-flagged

Injury reports

Death reports

Complaints filed per year

Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings

"The engine/engine management system malfunctioned. The vehicle began repeatedly stalling and shutting off while I was driving and while stopped in traffic. The vehicle is now no longer able to start and run and will…"
Powertrain, Electrical system, Engine · filed 2026-09-14
"My spark plugs misfired"
Engine · filed 2025-10-18
"Gas was shooting out of my gas tank cap, strong gasoline smells in and out side the vehicle, popping noise coming from the back from the gas tank expanding so much it pushed up the rear seat. This puts me and others at…"
Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2025-09-11
"Glass roof spontaneously shattered. Car was sitting in direct California sun. Nothing touched the roof but heat, the entire panel shattered and the car is undriveable.Thankfully my car was unoccupied at the time. I have…"
Structure · filed 2025-06-21
"I have a 2020 Hyundai veloster 2.0L and their is a knocking noise coming for the engine for the piston haven’t been properly heated right and when I search the vin up on here it come up as a different car in the picture"
Engine · filed 2025-04-25

NHTSA crash ratings

Version	Overall	Front	Side	Rollover
2020 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	29	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

Previous year 2019 Hyundai Veloster Next year 2021 Hyundai Veloster See every Hyundai Veloster model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Hyundai Veloster reliable?

What are common problems with a 2020 Hyundai Veloster?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (9 of 24), then Powertrain (3) and Electrical system (2).

Is the 2020 Hyundai Veloster more reliable than the years next to it?

Has the 2020 Hyundai Veloster been recalled?

The 2020 Hyundai Veloster has 1 recall on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2020 Hyundai Veloster?

Owners have filed 24 complaints about the 2020 Hyundai Veloster with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2020 Hyundai Veloster get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2020 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.