2016 Hyundai Veloster Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2016 Veloster most often describe engine trouble: knocking or ticking noises, low oil level or oil consumption, and sudden loss of power or stalling, frequently around 80,000–110,000 miles. Many complaints mention NHTSA recall 20V746000 for premature connecting rod bearing wear and describe either not being covered or having to wait for parts. Transmission complaints, mostly about the dual-clutch automatic, show up at much lower mileage, and a smaller group concerns fuel and exhaust odors inside the cabin.

1. 1
   Engine

   Engine knocking, oil loss and stalling

   • 105 complaints (47%)
   • median 98,000 mi at 6.6 yrs old (47 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $3,275 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2016–2026

   Complaints describe a ticking or knocking noise from the engine, often followed by stalling, loss of power, an illuminated check engine or oil pressure light, and low oil level. Several owners report metal shavings in the oil or that a shop determined the connecting rod bearings had failed and the engine needed replacement. A number reference NHTSA recall 20V746000; some say their vehicle was not included, others say parts were unavailable or that the symptoms returned after the repair, and some report the dealer attributed it to low oil. Mostly reported between roughly 40,000 and 120,000 miles, often while driving at highway speed; complaints continue past 130,000 miles.

   Recall 20V7460004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Listen for a knock or tick at cold start and idle, and check the oil level and condition on a frequent basis. Ask whether recall 20V746000 was completed and whether the knock sensor software campaign was applied, and request any engine inspection or replacement records.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving the car when it started smoking and then shut off while I was driving straight down highway 195 in texas. The car was towed to europe services in killeen, tx and we were told that the engine is blown out. We are unable to find a new engine anywhere. I looked online and saw that the year, make and model of my car had a recall with premature engine issues.”

   NHTSA complaint #11378264, filed 2020-12, 104,886 miles

   “The problem started with a ticking noise. I changed the oil hoping that this would resolve the issue but nothing changed. So, on the way home from running errands I hit the gas and the car made a bunch of loud noises and then stalled. It also began leaking oil. I removed the panel from underneath to see what happened and saw a bunch of aluminum fragments all over the panel.”

   NHTSA complaint #11397999, filed 2021-02, 69,000 miles
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Rough or delayed shifting, reverse not engaging

   • 36 complaints (16%)
   • median 15,500 mi at 2.5 yrs old (24 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2026

   Owners describe the dual-clutch automatic hesitating and shuddering when pulling away from a stop, shifting slowly or jerking between gears, and on some cars reverse failing to engage until the vehicle is shut off and restarted. Complaints also mention loss of acceleration on the highway and an overheating message with a clutch actuator fault; some say a transmission software update did not resolve the behavior. Reported across a wide mileage range, including well under 30,000 miles and again near 70,000–90,000 miles.

   What to check: Test reverse engagement and low-speed pull-away several times, and drive in stop-and-go traffic to feel for shuddering. Ask whether any transmission control module software updates have been applied and whether clutch or actuator work has been done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My car hesitated from a stop sign, then launched forward causing it to uncontrollably jump forward very fast. When I went to hit the brakes they failed to active, and had to pull the e brake. The car has had a software update for the TCM on my dct transmission but the problem seems to not be able to be fixed. This is very dangerous, and could cause a major accident or death.”

   NHTSA complaint #11394733, filed 2021-02, 27,777 miles

   “I was stopped at a stop sign and upon stepping on the gas, I noticed that the car would not accelerate. It was making a humming sound similar to if it were in neutral. I cannot seem to have any power when shifting into sport mode getting onto the highway and does not accelerate at all. It makes an odd noise. I felt car hiccup at first when accelerating. This could be a dct issue and could be safety issue also. Car is at approx 77,000 miles at this time. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11327696, filed 2020-06, 77,000 miles

Buying note. Because most sampled complaints centre on engine noise, oil use and stalling, a 2016 Veloster is worth buying only after a cold-start listening check, an oil level and condition check, and confirmation of whether recall 20V746000 and the related service campaigns were completed. A short test drive in traffic can also reveal whether the dual-clutch transmission shifts smoothly.

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.