2017 Hyundai Veloster Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe engine problems, including engine failure from connecting rod bearing or compression loss, and sudden power loss or stalls while driving. Transmission slipping or loss of drive, airbag warning lights, and shattering sunroof glass are also reported. Some owners say an engine failure followed a knock sensor update, and some say warranty claims for engine work were declined.

1. 1
   Engine

   Engine failure with bearing or compression loss

   • 21 complaints (42%)
   • median 87,780 mi at 4.5 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • filed 2019–2026

   Owners describe engine failures involving connecting rod bearing wear, low compression in a cylinder, metal debris, or a seized engine, often while driving. Some say there was no warning light before the failure, and some report low or empty oil on the dipstick. Dealers often told owners the engine needed replacement, and some were told the failure was not covered by warranty or recall. Most reported between about 50,000 and 100,000 miles, with the highest near 130,000.

   11 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the knock sensor and connecting rod bearing campaign or warranty work has been completed, and check the oil level and any history of oil consumption. Ask for recent compression or bearing test results from a qualified mechanic before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Oil leak lead to engine knocking which lead to the complete failure of the engine. Piston rods are destroyed engine failure happened while I was driving on the road engine lost power would not accelerate. My car has been parked since.”

   NHTSA complaint #11383200, filed 2020-12, 64,700 miles

   “On my way home from work my car stalled out on the highway. Luckily traffic wasn't heavy and I was able to make it over to the shoulder accident free. My car wouldn't cut back on so I got it towed to vandergriff Hyundai in arlington tx. They quoted me $12,322.45 to fix my car. Said there was a hole I my short block. The cause of connecting-rod bearings in the engine that wore out and made a hole my engine. The car is only worth 6,000 on kelly blue book and that repair coast is more than I owe on the vehicle. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11387445, filed 2021-01, 95,190 miles
2. 2
   Engine

   Sudden power loss, stalling, or hesitation while driving

   • 20 complaints (40%)
   • median 78,000 mi at 4.2 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2018–2026

   Owners describe the engine losing power while driving, hesitating when accelerating, or stalling, sometimes after a check engine light flashes or the car goes into limp mode. Some say the car slowed suddenly on a highway or while merging, and some say power returned only after they let off the pedal and waited. Some say the manufacturer could not find a fault. Most reported between about 50,000 and 130,000 miles, though a few are much lower.

   What to check: On a test drive, check for hesitation when accelerating from low speed, and watch for stalling or a limp-mode warning. Ask whether trouble codes have been recorded for these symptoms, and whether any knock sensor or engine warranty work has been completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving home from work my car stalled out going thru an intersection. I went about another half mile and pressed the accelerator to climb the hill by my apartment and I herd a loud bang lost all power and oil at the same time I was able to coast into my apartment where it is still sitting I had recently had the catalytic converter replaced at voss Hyundai where nothing was said about the noise it was making prior to my visit witch shows there lack of completing a vehicle inspection. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11378062, filed 2020-12, 78,000 miles

   “I believe this vehicle has a severe safety-affecting problem with the programming of it's engine control unit. Under certain conditions, mostly (but not always) while the engine is cold or cool, the vehicle occasionally will not respond to inputs from the throttle pedal. This occurs while the road is clean and dry - I want to stress that this is not a manifestation of traction control. During these incidents even if the throttle pedal is fully depressed the car will only accelerate very slowly. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11075560, filed 2018-03, 2,800 miles
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission slipping or sudden loss of drive

   • 11 complaints (22%)
   • median 48,000 mi at 2.1 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2018–2026

   Owners describe the transmission slipping, shuddering, or hesitating, and in some cases a sudden loss of drive, with engine speed rising without the car gaining speed. Some say the car would not move forward or backward, and some were told the transmission had failed and needed replacement. Some say the dealer needed to duplicate intermittent slipping before acting. Reports range from about 1,000 to about 160,000 miles, and some describe problems in summer or snow.

   What to check: During a test drive, check for hesitation, shuddering, and any loss of drive when pulling away or accelerating. Ask whether the transmission has been inspected, and whether any transmission replacement or warranty decision is recorded.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was traveling in a snowstorm on the highway. The engine began revving and the tachometer went way up. No traction control light went on and I began slowing down with vehicles behind me. I pulled through the traffic and got to the shoulder. The car was still in drive but the wheels wouldn't turn. I called the dealership and they said to have it towed. I shut the engine off, opened the door and tried again. Nothing. No forward movement. After 10 minutes I tried again and it worked, I began moving forward. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11061352, filed 2018-01, 4,000 miles

   “Today the vehicle was hesitant to start but did. After two stops I turned car off, went into a business. When I came out the car would start but would not go forward or backwards but rev up. I nearly slammed into a curb in the process. I have a video of this.”

   NHTSA complaint #11547404, filed 2023-09
4. 4
   Body and structure

   Sunroof glass shattering

   • 6 complaints (12%)
   • median 2,500 mi at 2.0 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2018–2026

   Owners describe the sunroof glass shattering with a loud pop, sometimes while driving on a highway and sometimes when the roof was opened. Glass fell into the cabin, and some owners say nothing had struck the sunroof. Some say the manufacturer reported that no recall covered the part. Where mileage is stated, all reports are under about 15,000 miles, and the glass often broke on highways.

   What to check: Check the sunroof glass and frame for cracks or chips, and ask whether the panel is covered by warranty. Ask whether any recall or service campaign applies to the sunroof on this VIN.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Panoramic sun roof shattered today, 8 jan 2019. My car has 14, 200 miles on it. There was snow on the top of my car (on the sun roof). After my car was warmed up (and stopped at a stop light), I heard a strange crackling type noise. I did not suspect it was glass until I hit a bump in the road and then heard pieces of something falling onto the protective/retractable curtain of my sunroof. I pulled off the road and noticed the entire sunroof was cracked with pieces falling onto the curtain.”

   NHTSA complaint #11298032, filed 2020-01, 8 miles

   “On tuesday, april 10, 2018 just after 7p the sunroof exploded - without warning - while I was driving at 70 MPH on interstate 10 just east of houston. It had not been struck by an object and the highway surface is smooth concrete. Glass showered down on my and flew off the roof of my car - striking my paint and spoiler on the rear of the vehicle. I'm thankful that I did not wreck and kill myself or someone else. When it exploded, there was a loud pop that sounded like a gunshot. My heart skipped a beat as glass showered down on me. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11112259, filed 2018-07, 2,500 miles
5. 5
   Air bags

   Airbag warning light or non-deployment in a crash

   • 5 complaints (10%)
   • median 20,000 mi at 1.6 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2018–2022

   Owners describe the airbag warning light coming on, sometimes soon after purchase, and in some cases returning after sensors under the seat were replaced. Some complaints describe airbags that did not deploy in a crash or in an impact. Owners say they were unsure whether the airbags would work in a future accident. Where mileage is stated, reports range from about 1,200 to 35,000 miles, and some were filed soon after purchase.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the occupant classification sensor warranty extension applies to this VIN and whether it was used for any sensor replacement. Confirm the airbag warning light stays off during a test drive, and ask for a record of each sensor repair.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My blue link connected care has sent me 3 monthly health reports of my vehicle and have all said air bag problem need service immediately but I have no light turned on in my tachometer, I barely got this car 3 months it's too soon to have a problem like this and also have took it to get it serviced . I'm only concerned because if it does come down to a accident will my air bags work?”

   NHTSA complaint #11114507, filed 2018-07, 1,200 miles

   “My accident the air bag did not deploy hitting another vehicle it deployed after hitting a curb which would have been 2 nd impact to deploy it should have come out then, the bar in the head rest came out which cut my head and I received staples in my head. What the other metal things that flew out of the steering I don't know but they cut and burned my arm very bad. I was going straight on a two lane street. When the car backed into to the intersection it did not come from my right or my left. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11374217, filed 2020-11, 20,000 miles

Buying note. For this model year, engine and transmission complaints are the main concerns in the sample, so a pre-purchase check of the oil level, a cold-start listen for knocking, and a test drive with acceleration from low speed are practical steps. Ask for written records of any knock sensor, bearing, or transmission warranty work before deciding.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 46 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.