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Hyundai VelosterModel year report

2012 Hyundai Veloster Problems

Compared with other Hyundai Veloster years

More complaints than typical for this model

100/100 10× a typical year · 50 = typical

Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2014

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
296filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
54,936miles, 230 complaints with mileage
Recalls
6campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
31 mpgcombined, 1.6L 4-cyl FWD · 27 city / 37 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2012 Hyundai Veloster (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of the 2012 Veloster most often report a panoramic sunroof that shatters or breaks apart — frequently at highway speed or even while parked — and engine noise or failure, usually described as knocking that can end with the engine stalling or needing replacement. Steering wheel noise and play, blower/AC control melting, and parking brake or brake concerns appear in smaller but recurring groups of complaints, with engine and steering reports typically arriving at higher mileage than the sunroof reports.

  1. Engine

    Engine knocking, oil loss and engine failure

    • 40 complaints (14%)
    • median 100,000 mi at 8.6 yrs old (29 state mileage)
    • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2013–2026

    Owners describe a knocking or clicking noise from the engine, often along with low oil or a check engine light, and in some cases the engine stalls or a rod bearing fails and damages the block. Several complaints mention oil being consumed without a visible leak or oil-fouled spark plugs, and some say a dealer or independent mechanic recommended engine replacement. Complaints also describe the knock sensor detection system software update being performed and, in a few cases, the light returning or the engine failing afterward. Mostly reported between roughly 80,000 and 160,000 miles, though a few appear much earlier.

    4 related service bulletins

    What to check: Listen for knocking at idle and while revving, check the oil level and smell for fuel, ask for oil change records, and ask whether the knock sensor detection software campaign was completed.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “While driving, the engine made clicking noises and all of a sudden the car just died. Also, when I tried starting the vehicle smoke came out of the engine. I was advised by a mechanic that the rod bearings needs to be replaced. Currently, there is a recall in regards to the rod bearings but only for 2015 and 2016.”

    NHTSA complaint #11397116, filed 2021-02, 124,000 miles

    “I heard something drop and then the car started smoking. I pulled to the side of the highway, turned off the car, and went to open the hood, but saw flames. The entire front half was engulfed in flames. A couple years ago I had to get an engine replacement due to oil over consumption. The same issues started happening again and the dealership was not helpful with getting the situation figured out.”

    NHTSA complaint #11395448, filed 2021-02, 190,000 miles
  2. Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

    Panoramic sunroof shatters or breaks apart

    • 78 complaints (26%)
    • median 33,000 mi at 2.5 yrs old (69 state mileage)
    • 14 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2012–2026

    Complaints describe the glass panoramic roof exploding, imploding or cracking into pieces without an impact, sometimes while driving at highway speed, sometimes while the car is parked or being washed. Owners report glass falling into the cabin and onto occupants, and several mention the roof would not close afterward or that a plastic housing piece broke and jammed the mechanism. Dealers and the manufacturer generally did not cover repairs once the vehicle was outside warranty, and owners whose vehicles were not built within the recalled production dates were told the recall did not apply. Reported from a few thousand miles up to about 100,000 miles, with many at low mileage during the first years of ownership.

    Recall 13V051000Recall 12V568000

    What to check: Inspect the panoramic roof glass and frame closely for cracks, chips or previous replacement, and ask whether the two sunroof recalls were performed and whether the glass has ever been replaced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I was outside of my house driveway when I heard a loud boom. The sunroof in my car exploded right before my eyes. The car was not on. It had been hours since I'd driven I,t thankfully. When the glass exploded I could see chunks and particles of glass flying at me. It was horrifying to think, that could have happened while I was driving.”

    NHTSA complaint #11352050, filed 2020-08, 89,877 miles

    “I am very traumatized since earlier today approximately 11am the glass sun roof on my 2012 Veloster exploded when I was rinsing the car off. The weather was in the high 70s or 80s but whatever the case its extremely dangerous and unacceptable since I had children that could have had bodily injury since they were playing close by. The explosion spread shattered glass around 6 feet around the car and driveway and it was such an unfortunate situation! …”

    NHTSA complaint #10465757, filed 2012-07, 4,278 miles
  3. Transmission and drivetrain

    Stalling, no-start-in-gear and transmission faults

    • 59 complaints (20%)
    • median 52,550 mi at 4.9 yrs old (44 state mileage)
    • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • owner-quoted repair $800 (median of 7 quotes)
    • filed 2012–2026

    Owners describe the car shutting off completely while driving or when stopped, and in some cases the transmission failing to engage or stay in gear even though the display shows drive. Others report harsh or delayed engagement when cold, a flashing gear indicator, or the car refusing to move after being shifted. Complaints mention dealers diagnosing transmission, fuse panel or wiring harness problems, and some note waiting on parts related to an open recall. Reported from very low mileage on some cars up to about 150,000 miles, with a cluster around 50,000 to 100,000 miles.

    Recall 23V132000

    What to check: Test the car from a cold start, shift through reverse and drive and confirm it engages without delay or harshness, and ask whether any open recall repairs have been completed.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “This cars engine just shuts off when driving, it will not go into gear even though it says it's in drive etc. My husband parked the car in our flat driveway and the car went forward crushing him against the house. I pulled the car backwards even though it was it said it was in park to free him. Contacted Hyundai corporate and they said they were not responsible. Will be contacted a lawyer because this was caught on video from my ring doorbell. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11363643, filed 2020-10, 95,000 miles

    “For the 4th time, my 2012 Veloster literally shut off while being driven. It does not stall. It shuts off entirely. No electric. No power. No nothing. Luckily, this has only happened when doing under 15mph or stopped at a light. If this were to happen on a highway or at high speeds, it is quite certain that I would be in an accident as there would be no way to alert other motorists that my vehicle cannot be driven - there are no brake lights or anything when it shuts off. When it shuts off, it is in drive. It cannot be put back into park. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10622208, filed 2014-08, 49,550 miles
  4. Steering

    Steering wheel clicking and loose play (coupler)

    • 33 complaints (11%)
    • median 85,000 mi at 7.8 yrs old (26 state mileage)
    • owner-quoted repair $400 (median of 5 quotes)
    • filed 2017–2023

    Owners describe a clicking or clunking noise from the steering column when turning the wheel, along with noticeable play or looseness, present whether the car is stopped or moving. Some report the steering feeling vague or resisting small corrections at highway speed. Complaints say dealers identified the steering coupler as the cause and quoted a repair, and some owners note the same part was recalled on other models but not on the Veloster. Typically reported between about 55,000 and 115,000 miles, after several years of use.

    What to check: With the car stopped, rock the steering wheel back and forth and listen for a click or knock, and check for free play before the wheels start to move; ask whether the steering coupler has been replaced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “There is play in the steering wheel when turning back and forth. Also hear a clicking noise. I am told there is a very inexpensive couple that needs to be replaced and that is common. I have appx 90000 miles on car. Starting noticing this about 6 months ago. I mentioned this to mechanics where I normally have car serviced. They recommended seeing hyundia and mentioned the coupler.”

    NHTSA complaint #11308214, filed 2020-02, 88,000 miles

    “My car like many others have had an issue with the coupler going bad in the steering wheel. Mine started at around 85,000 miles and I was told by the dealership there may be a bulletin on it. The steering wheel makes noise when turning it and has about 2 inches of play.”

    NHTSA complaint #11322527, filed 2020-04, 85,000 miles
  5. Electrical system

    Blower and AC control switch overheating or melting

    • 13 complaints (4%)
    • median 90,000 mi at 5.2 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
    • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2012–2024

    Complaints describe the blower fan working only on some speeds or stopping entirely, sometimes after repeated replacement of the heater control assembly. Owners also report a burning plastic smell and, on inspection behind the center dash panel, a melted or charred wiring harness and connector at the back of the AC control knob. Repairs were typically handled at the owner's cost, with dealers replacing the control assembly or harness. Mostly reported between about 55,000 and 105,000 miles.

    What to check: Run the blower through every fan speed and check for a burning smell; if possible, have the area behind the AC control panel inspected for discolored or melted wiring.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “The date of 4/20/15 is the latest time(or by the way I have to wait till 5/22/15 to bring it in.... First day they had room for me......this is going to be the 4th time they have replace(over the past 2 years) the (97250-2v010-blh control assy-heat) because the fan dial don't work on 3 or 4 positions. When it gets real bad it don't work at all. The dealer is giving me a hard time because they have to replace again..... This is a common problem ... And it needs to be fixed.... …”

    NHTSA complaint #10714978, filed 2015-05, 55,000 miles

    “My AC/ heater stopped blowing out air. I did my research after discovering it would cost upwards of $1,000 to repair. I found tons of videos on you tube addressing this exact problem. That is how I knew where to look. As you can see there is a major flaw in the design of this unit that poses in my opinion a major safety risk. This should be a recall issue and not something owners of these cars need to pay out of pocket for. Please see the attached pictures showing the melted parts and fire damage that took place in my car. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11033366, filed 2017-10, 105,000 miles

Buying note. Check the sunroof glass and steering column carefully on a test drive, and ask for proof that open recalls and the knock sensor software campaign were completed. Service records showing regular oil checks are worth requesting, since oil consumption and engine noise come up repeatedly in owner complaints.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 296 consumer complaints for the 2012 Hyundai Veloster. 230 of the complaints include a mileage, and 47% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 54,936 miles. Of all complaints, 15 involved a crash, 8 a fire, 29 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns and 125 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 7 Hyundai Veloster model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 100 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (more complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Wheels (12), Seat belts (7), Fuel system (5), Tires (5), Engine cooling (4), Electronic stability control (3), Suspension (3), Exterior lighting (2), Forward collision avoidance (2), Equipment (1), Seats (1).

Example complaints

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “The car was parked in the driveway and I was inside the house. I heard a noise and when I went outside the sunroof had shattered/exploded. I have a camera installed on my garage that captured the sunroof exploding with no one around it and nothing falling on it. I can email the video upon request. ..updated 11/14/12 updated 12/4/2012”

NHTSA complaint #10482933, filed 2012-11, 10,200 miles

Engine: “I had a knocking in my engine before my connecting rod bear had punctured 3 large holes in my engine block. I had no check engine light and my vehicle never even hit 120,000 miles. A similar problem had been reported on Hyundai vehicles that are being recalled.”

NHTSA complaint #11378070, filed 2020-12, 120,000 miles

Steering: “I own a 2012 Hyundai Veloster twd. My sunroof just exploded out of no-where and I called Hyundai and they told me that there is no recall on this issue. In addition, I need to replace a steering bushing and it is not covered in any recall and I am reading on the internet that this item has been repaired. Great car, but no accountability by this organization to fix their engineers issues.”

NHTSA complaint #11163518, filed 2018-12, 75,000 miles

Other or unknown: “While driving in the center lane on interstate durning rush hour traffic at about 45mph my radio was off windows were up, my sunroof was closed and the skylight cover was in the back position which I never close because it gives me more head room. I hear what sounded like a bomb going off and shards of glass flying all throughout the car, nothing hit the roof, the sound was a sound of explosion. …”

NHTSA complaint #11062679, filed 2018-01, 150,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

47% of the 230 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 12,500 and 90,000 miles.

22%0–1011%10–2513%25–5016%50–7520%75–10014%100–1504%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (230 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 54,936 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’1245’14’16’18’20’22’24’26
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2012 Hyundai Veloster version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Veloster FWD1.6L 4-cyl6-speed manual273731$2,150
Veloster FWD1.6L 4-cyl6-speed automatic273530$2,250

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2012 Hyundai Veloster → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 125 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 125 bulletins →

Other model years of the Hyundai Veloster

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
202111—1—30—Not enough data
20202525,0001—3034 · FewerFalling
20194213,0912—3051 · TypicalRising
20175048,000053011 · FewerFalling
201622556,950153085 · MoreFalling
201513762,000252949 · TypicalStable
20148580,000252924 · FewerStable
201342669,0003—31100 · MoreFalling
201229654,9366—31100 · MoreFalling

All Hyundai Veloster model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Hyundai Veloster?

Owners of the 2012 Veloster most often report a panoramic sunroof that shatters or breaks apart — frequently at highway speed or even while parked — and engine noise or failure, usually described as knocking that can end with the engine stalling or needing replacement. The issues reported most often: Engine knocking, oil loss and engine failure; Panoramic sunroof shatters or breaks apart; Stalling, no-start-in-gear and transmission faults.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2012 Hyundai Veloster have?

NHTSA recorded 296 consumer complaints for the 2012 Hyundai Veloster as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2012 Hyundai Veloster is reported most often?

Visibility is named most often, in 67 complaints (23% of the total), followed by engine with 61.

Has the 2012 Hyundai Veloster been recalled?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2012 Hyundai Veloster get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Hyundai Veloster (Veloster, 1.6L 4-cyl) at 31 mpg combined, 27 city and 37 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,150 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2012 Hyundai Veloster reported?

Among the 230 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 54,936 miles and the middle half falls between 12,500 and 90,000 miles; 47% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.