2014 Hyundai Veloster Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2014 Veloster most often write about engine trouble: a knocking noise that develops into loss of power or a seized engine, and in some cases noticeably high oil use between changes. Steering noise is the second recurring theme, followed by an overheating climate control knob and wiring behind the dash. Complaints appear from low mileage up past 150,000 miles, so neither problem is limited to high-mileage cars.

1. 1
   Engine

   Engine knocking, bearing failure and stalling

   • 27 complaints (32%)
   • median 94,000 mi at 7.0 yrs old (19 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2017–2025

   Complaints describe a knock or rattle from the engine bay that can appear with no warning, sometimes followed by the car losing power, hesitating under acceleration, or stalling in traffic or on the highway. Several owners report white smoke, oil coming out of the exhaust or under the hood, and low compression in one cylinder. Dealers are described as diagnosing failed bearings, a thrown rod, or a need for engine replacement; some owners say the work was declined or only partly covered once the car was out of warranty, and a few report the problem returning after a repair. Reports span the first few thousand miles up to roughly 186,000, with many clustered between about 70,000 and 140,000 miles.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Listen for a knock or tick at cold start and after a highway drive, and check the oil level and condition. Ask for service records showing regular oil changes and whether the knock sensor software campaign was completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The car as I would describe it stalls randomly while driving under 40 MPH, the engine doesn't shut off but I lose drive power and the RPM shoot up. The dealership has not been able to reproduce the issue and no engine lights come on when the problem happens. I fear this will end up causing me to get rear ended.”

   NHTSA complaint #11000383, filed 2017-06, 29,900 miles

   “2nd engine I paid for. Engine has no oil leaks no burning oil. Out of nowhere engine starts knocking no oil in engine. And now due to a bankrupcy I can't even purchase a new car and I can't afford to replace the engine at my cost again. Jones Hyundai was contacted the first time and the did nothing”

   NHTSA complaint #11414422, filed 2021-04, 186,000 miles
2. 2
   Steering

   Steering clunk and looseness from the column

   • 11 complaints (13%)
   • median 55,000 mi at 6.0 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2015–2022

   Owners describe a clunk, click or rattle from the steering column when turning the wheel, sometimes while parked and sometimes at speed, along with a loose or vague feel and vibration at highway speeds. Several say an independent shop identified a worn or fractured rubber coupler in the steering column, while dealers are reported to have said no recall applied. Some owners also mention the wheel feeling sticky or reluctant to return to center. Most reports in the sample fall between about 30,000 and 85,000 miles.

   What to check: With the car parked, turn the wheel slowly lock to lock and listen for a clunk; then drive at highway speed and note any play or vibration. Ask whether the steering column coupler has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Out of the blue my steering wheel seem to become loose and starting making a click sound when turned turned to the right or left. Although other Hyundai vehicles have recalls for the same problem, my Veloster is not. It is a known problem for this car maker and they will not cover the huge bill to repair it unless you are still under a warranty. It is not safe!”

   NHTSA complaint #11267170, filed 2019-10, 85,000 miles

   “Steering wheel when stationary makes a clunking noise when turning left to right at the steering column. When driving it feels loose and also makes a clunking noise when steering on the road, when reaching higher speeds on the highway it would vibrate the steering wheel. I stoped by a local auto mechanic and he told me that Hyundai's have this problem and I should take back to dealership to have fixed. He told me it was the steering coupler. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11234100, filed 2019-07, 33,000 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Climate control knob and wiring overheating

   • 6 complaints (7%)
   • median 60,000 mi at 5.5 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2018–2026

   Complaints describe the manual heater and A/C control knob getting very hot, with the switch and the connector plug behind the dash showing melting, blackening or smoke. Owners report the blower or defrost then stops working, and in a few cases smoke or a small flame appeared inside the cabin. Some say the dealer replaced the control unit or wiring harness, and some were charged for the repair because their vehicle was not covered. Reported mileage ranges from about 59,000 to 119,500, and several complaints were filed without a mileage figure.

   What to check: Run the blower on every speed, check the defrost, and feel the control knob and surrounding panel for warmth or a burning smell. Ask whether the heater control unit or its harness connector has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The climate control switch on my vehicle as well as many others has burned up the wiring that plugs into it behind the dash and started smoking and actually almost burned my car to the ground.”

   NHTSA complaint #11545022, filed 2023-09

   “The AC/heater blower motor controller in this vehicle and every model that shares the same style knob has a serious defect. Along with the fire hazard this presents it also effects the use of defrost which can be a serious issue in some climates and the switch may fail completely rendering the defrost functionally unusable. Attached you will see images of the inside and outside of the switch in question as well as the connector for the switch which have suffered serious heat damage. This is a fire hazard. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11288549, filed 2019-12, 60,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Excessive engine oil consumption

   • 8 complaints (9%)
   • median 89,000 mi at 7.5 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2020–2024

   Owners report the oil warning light coming on between scheduled changes and finding the level low with no visible leak, in some cases using roughly a quart every several hundred to a thousand miles. Complaints describe dealers running an oil consumption test or suggesting a flush, with the low level continuing afterwards. In several accounts the oil loss is reported alongside engine knocking or a failed engine. Reports in the sample start around 89,000 miles and continue past 180,000, with one owner not stating mileage.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the dipstick before and after a test drive and ask the seller to document oil added between changes. Ask whether an oil consumption test was ever performed and whether the engine was inspected for bearing noise.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Since Nov/Dec 2020 low oil warning lite started flashing at 2 separate svc intervals for oil change maintenance. At service visit in Jan 2021 requested dealer to inspect for oil leaks. None were found but since then I began checking oil level regulary & found out the car was consuming excessive amount of oil…about half a qt every 250-300 miles. At next service appt to have oil change I informed dealer of my findings which he advised performing the 1000 mile consumption test & wait till after to change oil. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11422987, filed 2021-06

   “The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and coming to a stop light, the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer stated that no failures were found after the vehicle was inspected. The contact also stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11597303, filed 2024-06, 89,000 miles
5. 5
   Body and structure

   Sunroof glass shattering

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the sunroof glass breaking suddenly with a loud bang, sending fragments into the cabin, in some cases while driving on the highway and in one case while the car was parked overnight with no prior crack visible. Complaints mention small cuts from glass and fragments spread throughout the interior. Owners report paying for the replacement themselves and describe difficulty getting the cost covered by the manufacturer. Sample reports fall between about 56,500 and 79,000 miles, with one filed without a mileage figure.

   What to check: Inspect the sunroof glass for existing chips or cracks near the edges and ask whether it has ever been replaced. Consider asking about any aftermarket protective film, since owners describe sudden breakage without impact.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My car was stationary over night and my sunroof busted. Had gotten home the night before after driving for 6 hours and parked the car. I had been near it several times and never saw a crack or anything. Went to get in this morning and it has glass everywhere.”

   NHTSA complaint #11208639, filed 2019-05, 79,000 miles

   “On 09/23/2017 I was driving on the highway on a sunny day, around 80 degrees with my sunroof closed, and the sunroof cover open to allow the sunlight in. While driving on the highway about a mile from my exit, I heard a loud bang that startled me (sounded like gunshot), all of a sudden I felt stuff hitting my head, face, and shoulders. I look up and saw my sunroof exploded with shattered glass flying all over my car and realized glass is what was hitting me face and body. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11030430, filed 2017-09, 56,500 miles

Buying note. Engine noise, stalling, and oil consumption are the most common and most serious themes reported for this model year, so a pre-purchase inspection that includes a cold start, a highway test drive, and an oil-level check is worth prioritizing alongside a look at the steering column and sunroof glass.

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.