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Hyundai · NHTSA safety record

2012 Hyundai Veloster

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 296 safety complaints about the 2012 Hyundai Veloster with the US government. Of those, 15 describe a crash, 8 mention a fire, 29 people were injured and no death is recorded. 6 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 61 complaints, 21% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 54,936 miles, the median across the 230 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers December 2011 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

296 complaints on file

296

Complaints

15

Describe a crash

8

Mention fire

29

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year. A further 1 defect investigation is open and unresolved.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
ENGINE 61 · 21%
VISIBILITY 55 · 19%
STEERING 42 · 14%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 39 · 13%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 38 · 13%
POWER TRAIN 31 · 10%
STRUCTURE 25 · 8%
SERVICE BRAKES 19 · 6%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 15 · 5%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 15 · 5%
AIR BAGS 12 · 4%
WHEELS 12 · 4%
0 27 54

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 296.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2012 at 45.

48 36 24 12
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2011 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA has not crash tested the 2012 Hyundai Veloster. Its New Car Assessment Program tests a selection of each year's vehicles and does not reach motorcycles, heavy trucks, motorhomes or most low-volume models, so an absence here says nothing about how the vehicle would perform. It is not a low score.

What owners have reported about this vehicle is below, and it is a different question: a crash test measures what happens to the people inside in a controlled impact, while a complaint records what broke during ordinary use.

Recall campaigns

6 on file

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

23V651000 · September 22, 2023

Park outside until repaired

The defect
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
The risk
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The remedy
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.

Hyundai Motor America · up to 1,649,478 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

23V132000 · February 28, 2023

The defect
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Veloster vehicles. High conductive liquid may leak into the Reverse Park Aid Sensor (RPAS), which can result in an electrical short circuit.
The risk
An electrical short circuit increases the risk of a fire.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the RPAS fuse and sensor, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 28, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 242.

Hyundai Motor America · up to 25,715 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

20V393000 · July 2, 2020

The defect
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Hyundai Elantra and Sonata Hybrid, 2012 Accent and Veloster vehicles. The 12V accessory socket outlet may have been over-tightened during installation, possibly disabling the thermal fuse and allowing the outlet to overheat with prolonged use, such as by using the Tire Mobility Kit air compressor to inflate a tire.
The risk
An overheated accessory outlet increases the risk of fire.
The remedy
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the Tire Mobility Kit accessory outlet plug with a direct-to-battery connection wire harness kit, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 193.

Hyundai Motor America · up to 272,126 vehicles across all model years covered

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

13V051000 · February 19, 2013

The defect
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2012 Veloster vehicles manufactured from July 4, 2011, through October 31, 2011 and equipped with panoramic sunroofs. The panoramic sunroof assembly may have been weakened during installation at the factory.
The risk
If the assembly was weakend at the factory, the panoramic glass panel may break while the vehicle is in motion leading to personal injury or a vehicle crash.
The remedy
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the sunroof's integrity and replace the sunroof glass assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began during March 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.

Hyundai Motor Company · up to 6,071 vehicles across all model years covered

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

12V568000 · December 7, 2012

The defect
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2012 Veloster vehicles manufactured from November 1, 2011, through April 17, 2012 and equipped with panoramic sunroofs. The panoramic sunroof assembly may been weakened during installation at the factory.
The risk
If the assembly was weakend at the factory, the panoramic glass panel may break while the vehicle is in motion leading to personal injury or a vehicle crash.
The remedy
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the sunroof's integrity and replace the sunroof glass assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began January 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.

Hyundai Motor Company · up to 13,500 vehicles across all model years covered

PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL:LINKAGE AND CABLE

12V567000 · December 7, 2012

The defect
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2012 Veloster vehicles manufactured from July 2, 2011, through February 27, 2012 and equipped with manual transmissions. Moisture and road grime may cause the parking brake components to bind.
The risk
If the parking brake components bind, the parking brake may not operate properly, and the parking brake may drag while driving or may not fully engage when the vehicle is parked. If the parking brake is not fully engaged when parked, a manual transmission may move unintentionally, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear brake caliper assemblies free of charge. The safety recall began January 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.

Hyundai Motor Company · up to 4,490 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations

2 on file

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

AQ23002

Still open audit query · opened November 17, 2023

the hydraulic brakes

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.

Panoramic Sunroof Breakage

PE12027

Closed preliminary evaluation · opened October 2, 2012 · closed February 21, 2013 · led to recall 12V568000

visibility

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE12-027 on October 2, 2012 to investigate allegations of spontaneous sunroof shatter on model year (MY) 2012 Hyundai Veloster vehicles. The MY2012 platform was the first to introduce the panoramic sunroof option. ODI received 26 consumer complaints of sunroof shatter, 15 occurring while the vehicle was being driven. The injury incidents noted were due to complainants who alleged minor cuts or abrasions from fallen glass. Sunroof glass shattering while operating the vehicle poses a risk of personal injury or a vehicle crash.In response to ODI's information request (IR), Hyundai provided 23 consumer complaints related to the alleged problem and 46 warranty claims for sunroof shatter and/or replacement.On December 6, 2012 Hyundai notified ODI that it would conduct a safety recall on model year 2012 Veloster vehicles equipped with panoramic sunroofs manufactured from November 1, 2011 through April 17, 2012. The panoramic sunroof assembly may have weakened during installation at the factory. An intermittent malfunction of a limit switch for the panoramic sunroof assembly's unloading station robot may have occurred, allowing forced contact between the mechanism and the sunroof glass. This contact could have caused damage to the sunroof glass, and lead to subsequent shattering of the glass in the field. The loading station robot was repaired in April 2012. The initial point in time for the malfunction of the station robot was not clearly defined through technical reasoning, therefore ODI challenged the proposed production scope for the safety recall. On February 14, 2013 Hyundai responded that they will conduct safety recall 13V-051 which expands the covered vehicles to those produced from the start of MY2012 production (July 4, 2011) through April 17, 2012. This investigation is closed on the basis of Hyundai's announcement of safety recalls 12V-568 and 13V-051.The reports cited above can be reviewed online at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers: 10462857, 10463570, 10465757, 10468816, 10468854, 10469144, 10471972, 10472742, 10473062, 10473640, 10477212, 10478075, 10478735, 10479487, 10479931, 10482027, 10482056, 10482561, 10482760, 10482933, 10483765, 10483770, 10484048, 10485802, 10487399, 10490171

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

SEAT BELTS

2 injured · crash · 23,300 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI VELOSTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS TRAVELING 70 MPH CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN THE CONTACT THE PLASTIC CYLINDER BECAME FRACTURED IN SEVERAL PIECES, SEPARATING FROM THE DOOR PANEL. THE CYLINDER ALSO FRACTURED AND SHARDS OF PLASTIC FLEW AND STRUCK THE REAR DRIVER'S PASSENGER, WHO SUSTAINED SEVERAL LACERATIONS TO THE LEG FROM THE PLASTIC SHARDS OF THE CYLINDER. THE CONTACT ALSO SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND

NHTSA complaint 10512199, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

2 injured · 8,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI VELOSTER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION ON THE ROOF. THE CONTACT REALIZED THAT THE GLASS IN THE SUNROOF WAS BROKEN WHEN IT PENETRATED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEFT FOOT AND RIGHT ARM. THE PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT WAS ALSO INJURED ON THE ARMS AND FACE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE WARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN INFORMATION WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,000. UPDATED 10/12/12*LJ UPDATED 10/17/2012 *JS

NHTSA complaint 10478075. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

2 injured · 6,200 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI VELOSTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE DRIVER AND FRONT SEAT PASSENGER BOTH SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY PLANNED TO CONDUCT AN INTENSIVE INVESTIGATION RELATED TO THE FAULTY AIR BAGS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,200.

NHTSA complaint 10494924. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY

2 injured · 33,480 miles

DRIVING AT 70MPH SOUTHBOUND ON I-5 NEAR ALBANY OR THE SUNROOF SUDDENLY IMPLODED, SHOWERING THE INSIDE OF THE CAR WITH GLASS. THE SUNROOF WAS CLOSED AS WERE ALL OF THE WINDOWS AND THE SHADE WAS OPEN. DESPITE THE TRAFFIC I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND MY PASSENGER AND I COULD SHAKE OUT THE PIECES OF GLASS FROM OUR HAIR AND CLOTHES. APART FROM SOME SMALL CUTS THERE WERE NO SERIOUS INJURIES. THE ENTIRE INSIDE OF THE CAR IS COVERED IN BITS OF BROKEN GLASS- THANKFULLY WE DIDN'T HAVE ANYONE IN THE BACK SEATS. UPON HAVING THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE DEALER INSPECT THE ROOF, I WAS TOLD TO CONTACT MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND SEE IF I HAVE COVERAGE FOR THE GLASS. WHEN THE SUNROOF

NHTSA complaint 10668719, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated that while driving 37 - 40 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle made knocking sounds. Additionally, while parking the vehicle, there was a fuel odor and smoke coming from the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed by a mobile independent mechanic, who determined that the vehicle needed an oil change and that there was engine failure with the vehicle.

NHTSA complaint 11763443. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 injured

While driving on the interstate, at approximately 70mph, the sunroof glass shattered causing glass to fall into the vehicle and into the face of the driver. This was not caused by any outside object or force, but simply shattered. Upon searching the web, I discovered NHSTA campaign #12V592000 and 12V56800 and Hyundai recall #108. While I was notified by Hyundai about other vehicle recalls, I was not notified about this one.

NHTSA complaint 11746771. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

towed · 100,000 miles

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the local dealer for an unknown recall repair. Upon retrieving the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The reverse and drive gears were inoperable. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where an unknown diagnosis was provided. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact stated that the transmission was inoperable, the starter, the engine light were blinking, and the vehicle was slow to move. There was smoke coming from the vehicle. There was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was

NHTSA complaint 11721786, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed

On January 15, 2026, at approximately 7:51 a.m., my son was involved in a motor vehicle collision that disabled three vehicles. His vehicle sustained significant damage and was declared a total loss. During the collision, the driver-side airbag did not deploy, and the seat belt failed to engage. As a result of the restraint system failures, my son sustained head trauma and required medical evaluation. There were no prior warnings or indicator lights suggesting a malfunction of the airbag or seat belt systems prior to the crash. The failure of these safety systems raises concern about a potential defect that could pose a risk to other drivers. This complaint is submitted to document the

NHTSA complaint 11712926, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
After an update for a recall for brake issues, the dealership updated the knock sensor update without my consent. After the knock sensor software was installed, my 2012 Hyundai veloster will not operate without going into protection mode. Hyundai states that they can not reverse the software update to make my vehicle operable again. This has already come up as a safety concern as my wife was on the interstate when the vehicle shut down in 70+ mph traffic.

NHTSA complaint 11684004. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 injured · crash

I stood my [XXX] nephew up in the front passengers side floorboard of the 2012 hyundia voloster manual transmission with push start . I stepped out of the car on the passage side of the car the car was parked in first gear no one was on the driver's side . I bent over to get my shoes on and baby reached over and pushed the start button on the car the car should not have started since the clutch was not pressed in but unfortunately the car started and lunged forward being on a incline it was as if someone smashed on the gas pedal I ran with the car as far as I could but it was going so fast I could not get into the car to stop it I was drug trying to stop the car the car flew thru a fence ,

NHTSA complaint 11680446, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Hyundai Veloster

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2021 11 1 —
2020 24 1 —
2019 42 2 —
2017 50 0 —
2016 222 1 —
2015 137 2 —
2014 85 2 —
2013 423 3 —

Other 2012 Hyundai models

Sonata 1,557 Elantra 653 Santa FE 353 Genesis 260 Tucson 255 Sonata Hybrid 154 Accent 153 Azera 74

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Hyundai on this site — 205 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst