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EnginePart report

2012 Hyundai Veloster Engine Problems

Complaints
61about this part
Share
21%of 296 total for the year
Median mileage
85,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 61 complaints about the engine of the 2012 Hyundai Veloster, 21% of the 296 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 85,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 4 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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

“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

“My car is having issues describing what is happening in the recall, the engine is louder than when I go out it sounds like you're knocking noise and I just got it in september. I need to speak with somebody about this since it's not listed on the recall”

NHTSA complaint #11193525, filed 2019-04, 88,000 miles

“I was driving home then started hearing a knocking noise coming from the engine. That's when I felt my car to lose power and start to decelerate. Once it stopped it shut off , and all of my light on my dash board was on. The battery light, oil light, eps light. I went to open the hood and it smelt like something was burning. After about an hour of waiting the engine still wasn't turning over. I left my car on the side of the road at an apartment complex.”

NHTSA complaint #11208887, filed 2019-05, 80,754 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2021327%
20201040%
20191843%
20172652%
201613460%
20157655%
20143339%
201317240%
20126121%

Other parts of the 2012 Hyundai Veloster

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
67 complaints
Steering
42 complaints
Other or unknown
39 complaints
Electrical system
38 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
31 complaints
Brakes
28 complaints
Body and structure
25 complaints
Vehicle speed control
15 complaints
Air bags
12 complaints
Wheels
12 complaints
Seat belts
7 complaints
Fuel system
5 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2012 Hyundai Veloster

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology