Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government
holds on this vehicle.
Owners have filed 50 safety complaints
about the 2017 Hyundai Veloster with the US government. Of those, 4 describe a crash, 1 person was injured and no death is recorded. No recall campaign has been matched to this year, make and model.
The most complained-about system is the engine,
named in 26 complaints, 52% of the total.
The typical failure was reported at 48,000 miles,
the median across the 25
complaints that gave
an odometer reading.
Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files
· Covers January 2018 to September 2026 · How this is counted
What is on file
50 complaints on file
50
Complaints
4
Describe a crash
0
Mention fire
1
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.
No recall campaign was matched to this year, make and model. That is not
the same as a clean vehicle: recalls are issued against production
ranges, and the only reliable check is your own VIN.
Which system owners named
Complaints naming each system
ENGINE 26 · 52%
26 52%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 11 · 22%
11 22%
POWER TRAIN 7 · 14%
7 14%
AIR BAGS 6 · 12%
6 12%
STRUCTURE 6 · 12%
6 12%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2 · 4%
2 4%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2 · 4%
2 4%
STEERING 2 · 4%
2 4%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 2 · 4%
2 4%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 1 · 2%
1 2%
SEATS 1 · 2%
1 2%
SERVICE BRAKES 1 · 2%
1 2%
01223
One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 50.
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 2020 at 8.
This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure
happened. The range runs from 2018 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 crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what
happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2017 Hyundai VELOSTER, and it is a separate
question from what owners report going wrong later.
Test
3 C FWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover
10.5%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard
A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.
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.
AIR BAGS
1 injured · crash · towed · 20,000 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. I WAS 3/4 OF THE WAY ACROSS THE INTERSECTION WHEN THIS CAR APPEARED BACKING UP. I COULD NOT STOP IN TIME AND HIT IT IN THE REAR OF THEIR CAR.*DT
NHTSA complaint 11374217. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
AIR BAGS
crash · towed · 35,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HYUNDAI VELOSTER. WHILE DRIVING 58 MPH, THE VEHICLE FISHTAILED AND CRASHED INTO A FENCE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED DESTROYED; HOWEVER, THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILBLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,000.
NHTSA complaint 11120624. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
SERVICE BRAKES
crash · towed · 3,000 miles
I PURCHASED A NEW 2017 VELOSTER IN MAY 2018. BEGINNING IN MID AUGUST I STARTED TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR NOT STOPPING AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP. IT HAPPENED ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. ESCALATING EACH TIME. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I ALMOST HIT SOMEONE IN THE BACK. THE SECOND TIME I ALMOST ENDED UP IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC GOING THROUGH THE STOP LIGHT. THE THIRD TIME I GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT WHILE TRYING TO MAKE A TURN AND THE WHEEL AND BRAKES DID THE SAME THING AGAIN...MAKING MY CAR NOT DRIVEABLE CURRENTLY. MY CAR HAS ABOUT 3000 MILES ON IT. EACH TIME THIS OCCURRED I WAS ON A CITY STREET WITH STOP LIGHTS. AVERAGE SPEED 35-45 .
NHTSA complaint 11154686. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
crash · towed · 44,000 miles
VEHICLE STALLS WHEN TAKING FOOT OFF THE BRAKE. WON'T PROPERLY DRIVE
NHTSA complaint 11377923. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The sunroof (glass) exploded while I was driving on the highway. It sounded like my car had been shot by a shotgun blast! I was driving on the highway, was completely startled and was lucky to not swerve into any other vehicles or ditch. I managed to drive to the shoulder because I was on a flat highway. I was driving home through the desert and had I been on highway 93, with it's turns and mountains I could have been killed. I did call Hyndai and they said there was no recall on that part. I did note, however, that in 2012 they recalled that part for exploding. My car insurance totaled the vehicle leaving me no choice but to buy a car.
NHTSA complaint 11763368. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The clutch actuator failed, so I sold to a junker that I didn't know had such a shady background. The ownership per the tax collector's office has been transferred to them- Sky Recycling. They have an active DOT number. I am still being charged for the balance of my loan and accruing late payment and believe they did something potentially illegal to transfer ownership without satisfying the lien.
NHTSA complaint 11740664. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
towed · 161,000 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated that while her sister was driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The driver pulled over to the side of the road. The vehicle was able to be restarted, but made an abnormal knocking sound. The check engine warning light was flashing. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was contacted and informed that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed to confirm whether it was covered under warranty. The dealer informed the contact that towing assistance would be provided; however, the dealer drove the vehicle to the repair center, where it was diagnosed, and metal debris was found in the oil control solenoid. The vehicle …
NHTSA complaint 11727228, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
The engine failed due to suspected rod bearing failure related to Hyundai’s known rod bearing recall issue. The vehicle exhibited a flashing check engine light with diagnostic trouble code P1326, knocking noises, metal debris found in the oil control solenoid, and subsequent secondary damage to the catalytic converter. The engine has not been opened by the Hyundai dealership despite these indicators. The vehicle and affected components are available for inspection upon request. The engine condition poses a serious safety risk. An independent mechanic advised that the rod bearing issue presents a fire hazard and stated the vehicle should not be driven due to the risk of engine failure, fire, …
NHTSA complaint 11716250, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
I bought the vehicle 14 days ago and everything was going well until black smoke started to come out of the exhaust and it started to smell burnt. I brought a mechanic to my house and he told me that the engine had already died
NHTSA complaint 11676864. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
POWER TRAIN
The 2017 Hyundai Veloster- Value edition is a Lemon straight from the manufacturer. I purchased mine in July of 2024 with 27,000 miles. When I test drove it I questioned the clicking noises that could be heard while switching gears along with minor "shuddering" at acceleration. I was informed by gentleman at Dealer that it was a normal characteristic of owning a DCT vehicle. One year later 7/2025 I have been experiencing more intense issues with clutch/transmission. I have a great loss of power at acceleration, it will stay bogged at 1,000-1,500 RPM'S before it engages and revs with a jolt forward. It is unsafe to pull out or lane change on highway. It also is shuddering upon every …
NHTSA complaint 11672257, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
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.
Complaints: NHTSA's ODI
complaint file, published October 2, 2026. One
complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.
Recalls: NHTSA's recall
campaign API, no campaign on file for this vehicle.
Investigations: NHTSA's ODI
investigation file, published October 2, 2026.
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.
G
Compiled and maintained by guarledes Independent developer and analyst