2012 Hyundai Veloster problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 96 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Hyundai Veloster, most often about engine. There are 6 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
96
Recalls
6
Crashes
4
Fires
5
Injuries
5
Median mileage
100,000 mi
at time of problem

Safety warning: at least one recall for this vehicle tells owners to park outside until it is repaired. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Key facts

  • Engine is the most-reported problem area, named in 37 of 96 complaints (39%).
  • Electrical System (20) and steering (17) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 100,000 mi.
  • Owners reported 4 crashes, 5 fires and 5 injuries.
  • The 2012 Hyundai Veloster has 6 recalls on file.
  • NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations covering this vehicle.
  • It ranks 3rd of 9 Hyundai Veloster model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).

2012 Hyundai Veloster problems by category

  • Engine · 1 crash
    37 complaints
  • Other / Unknown · 2 crashes
    20 complaints
  • 20 complaints
  • Steering
    17 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    12 complaints
  • Brakes
    11 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    5 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    4 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    3 complaints
  • Wheels & Tires · 1 crash
    2 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    2 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    2 complaints
  • Airbags · 1 crash
    2 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts · 1 crash
    1 complaints
  • Lighting
    1 complaints
  • Suspension
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Engine34
Electrical system20
Unknown or other19
Steering17
Power train12
Service brakes, hydraulic6
Vehicle speed control5
Service brakes4

When problems happen (mileage)

1Under 10k10k–30k330k–60k1560k–100k15100k–150k8150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2012 Hyundai Veloster complaints that list mileage.

2012 Hyundai Veloster recalls (6)

  • Recall 23V651000Sep 22, 20231,649,478 vehiclesPark outside
    SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

    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.

    Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

    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 23V132000Feb 28, 202325,715 vehicles
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    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.

    Risk: An electrical short circuit increases the risk of a fire.

    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 20V393000Jul 2, 2020272,126 vehicles
    EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

    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.

    Risk: An overheated accessory outlet increases the risk of fire.

    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 13V051000Feb 19, 20136,071 vehicles
    VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

    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.

    Risk: If the assembly was weakend at the factory, the panoramic glass panel may break while the vehicle is in motion leading to personal injury or a vehicle crash.

    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 12V568000Dec 7, 201213,500 vehicles
    VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

    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.

    Risk: If the assembly was weakend at the factory, the panoramic glass panel may break while the vehicle is in motion leading to personal injury or a vehicle crash.

    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 12V567000Dec 7, 20124,490 vehicles
    PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL:LINKAGE AND CABLE

    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.

    Risk: If the parking brake components bind, the parking brake may not operate properly, and the parking brake may drag while driving or may not fully engage when the vehicle is parked. If the parking brake is not fully engaged when parked, a manual transmission may move unintentionally, increasing the risk of a crash.

    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.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • AQ23002Opened Nov 17, 2023Open

    Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

    The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, …

  • PE12027Opened Oct 2, 2012Closed Feb 21, 2013led to recall 12V568000

    Panoramic Sunroof Breakage

    The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE12-027 on October 2, 2012 to investigate allegations of spontaneous sunroof shatter on model year (MY) 2012 Hyundai Veloster vehicles. The MY2012 platform was the first to introduce the panoramic sunroof option. ODI received 26 consumer complaints of sunroof shatter, 15 occurring while the vehicle was being driven. The injury incidents noted were due to complainants who alleged minor cuts or abrasions from fallen glass. Sunroof glass shattering while operating the vehicle poses a risk of personal injury or a vehicle crash.In response to ODI's …

Recent 2012 Hyundai Veloster complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Sep 10, 2026ILEngine
    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 a fuel odor and smoke coming from the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed by a mobile independent mechanic, who determined that the vehicle needed an oil change and that there was engine failure with the vehicle.
    NHTSA complaint #11763443 · source
  2. Filed Jun 26, 2026TN1 injuredOther / Unknown
    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 shattered. Upon searching the web, I discovered NHSTA campaign #12V592000 and 12V56800 and Hyundai recall #108. While I was notified by Hyundai about other vehicle recalls, I was not notified about this one.
    NHTSA complaint #11746771 · source
  3. Filed Mar 3, 2026100,000 miARTowedEngineAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain
    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 reverse and drive gears were inoperable. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where an unknown diagnosis was provided. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact stated that the transmission was inoperable, the starter, the engine light…
    NHTSA complaint #11721786 · source
  4. Filed Jan 23, 2026MICrash1 injuredTowedAirbagsSeats & Seat Belts
    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 collision, the driver-side airbag did not deploy, and the seat belt failed to engage. As a result of the restraint system failures, my son sustained head trauma and required medical evaluation. There were no prior warnings or indicator lights suggesting a malfunction…
    NHTSA complaint #11712926 · source
  5. Filed Aug 29, 2025TNEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionAcceleration & Cruise Control
    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 into protection mode. Hyundai states that they can not reverse the software update to make my vehicle operable again. This has already come up as a safety concern as my wife was on the interstate when the vehicle shut down in 70+ mph traffic.
    NHTSA complaint #11684004 · source
  6. Filed Aug 13, 2025ARCrash1 injuredElectrical SystemEngineOther / Unknown
    I stood my [XXX] nephew up in the front passengers side floorboard of the 2012 hyundia voloster manual transmission with push start . I stepped out of the car on the passage side of the car the car was parked in first gear no one was on the driver's side . I bent over to get my shoes on and baby reached over and pushed the start button on the car the car should not have started since the clutch was not pressed in but unfortunately the car started and lunged forward being on…
    NHTSA complaint #11680446 · source
  7. Filed Jun 28, 2025TXOther / Unknown
    On [XXX] I was driving when I heard a sudden explosion followed by shattering glass. There was glass in my car and chunks flew off onto the road. It was the panoramic sunroof on my 2012 Hyundai Veloster that had a recall #108 NHTSA campaign # 12V568000. Hyundai Humble is not acknowledging my VIN # [XXX] although the car was produced within the time frame and IS a safety issue created by the manufacturer. I researched and saw that recalls were supposed to last the lifetime of…
    NHTSA complaint #11669890 · source
  8. Filed Jun 19, 2025TXBody & StructureOther / Unknown
    On Tue 6/17 I was driving my 2012 Hyundai Veloster home when the sunroof glass spontaneously exploded (no notifications)then the sound of shattering glass. There were no cars ahead of me and none behind so it was doubtful there was damage done to other people. I did have small chunks of glass fall on me and in the car. Humble Hyundai dealership can't find the recall. I called the main office it's recall campaign # is 108. The dealership said the recall had to be opened back…
    NHTSA complaint #11667948 · source

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Other 2012 Hyundai models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology