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2012 Hyundai Veloster
Hatchback · 2012–2022 · Veloster, Veloster N
Which year to buy
Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year, against this model's usual year.
2012AVOIDSerious complaints 4.2× usual, mostly engine and steering Extended coverage
198 serious complaints of 296, the most about engine (61) and steering (42); 4.2× this model's usual share of all serious complaints about 2012 vehicles. 6 recalls.
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was a knocking sound coming from under the hood. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an undisclosed dealer where it was diagnosed that the knock sensor detection system (KSDS) needed to be replaced.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the engine, Sep 2023
“Same issue as numerous other Hyundai Veloster owners: steering coupler causing excessive movement in the steering column and making a clicking sound when turning the wheel. Hyundai has done a recall on this part for Elantra and Sonata models, but not the Veloster. The issue has been confirmed by an independent service center.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the steering, Oct 2022
Fixes and extended coverage
- Extended coverage The warranty coverage for engine repair or replacement regarding engine damage or malfunction from connecting rod bearing wear has been extended to 15 years or 150,000 miles from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use, whichever occurs first, and is valid for original and… (22-EM-006H-2, Nov 2022)
- Extended coverage Some vehicles listed below may exhibit an intermittent airbag warning light and DTC(s) B1763 (OCS ECU Defect), and/or B1764 (OCS Mat Defect) may be stored. Hyundai is extending the warranty coverage of the sensor for the Occupant Classification System (OCS) / Occupant Detection System (ODS) to 18… (26-BE-011H, Apr 2026)
- Extended coverage Certain 2012 – 2017 model year Accent, 2012 – 2017 model year Azera, 2013 – 2018 model year Santa Fe Sport, 2013 – 2019 model year Santa Fe, and 2012 – 2017 model year Veloster vehicles may exhibit an intermittent airbag warning light and diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) may be set. In an effort to… (Z01, May 2026)
- Repair program Road salt and water can corrode the bracket holding the canister in place; as well as the seal within the canister. (5NPH9L4R02, Jan 2017)
- Repair program Hyundai is conducting a service campaign to enhance the knock sensor software to detect abnormal engine bearing noise before potentially severe engine damage occurs. (DBP966, Oct 2021)
- Repair program Certain vehicles that have completed Service Campaign 966 may experience the Check Engine warning lamp illuminated with DTC P1326 and/or an engine concern/noise related to connecting rod bearing wear or damage. (DBPT6G, Apr 2022)
From the manufacturer's bulletins filed with NHTSA. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
296 owner complaints · 6 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 30–31 mpg · NHTSA: Not rated · 2012 trims and features
Every Veloster year's verdict →
Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. NHTSA doesn't publish sales, so only big differences count. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-06.
Trims and features
What changed for 2012
First year we have trim data for.
2012 Veloster trims
| Base | |
|---|---|
| Price | |
| Starting MSRP | from $17,300 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | Gamma |
| Horsepower | 138 hp |
| Transmission | DCT: EcoShift DCT Manual: 6-Speed Manual |
| Gears | 6 |
| Drivetrain | DCT / Manual |
| Fuel economy (combined) | 32 mpg |
| Size and capability | |
| Seats | 4 |
| Curb weight | DCT: — Manual: 2,584 lb |
| Tech | |
| Touchscreen | 7 in |
| Apple CarPlay | Optional |
| Android Auto | Optional |
| Speakers | 6 + option |
| Driver assistance | |
| Parking sensors | Optional |
| Comfort | |
| Seats | Cloth |
| Exterior | |
| Sunroof | Optional |
| Wheels | 17 in + option |
Packages and options (17)
| Base | |
|---|---|
| Style Package $2,000 | Optional |
| Technology Package $2,000 | Optional |
| 6-Speed Ecoshift Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) with Manual Shift Mode and Paddle Shifters $1,250 | Optional |
| 26.2 Yellow | Optional |
| Boston Red | Optional |
| Century White | Optional |
| Electrolyte Green | Optional |
| Ironman Silver | Optional |
| Marathon Blue | Optional |
| Triathlon Gray | Optional |
| Ultra Black | Optional |
| Vitamin C | Optional |
| Black Cloth | Optional |
| Black Cloth / Leatherette | Optional |
| Gray Cloth | Optional |
| Gray Cloth / Leatherette | Optional |
| Red Cloth / Leatherette | Optional |
Trim data from OpenSpec (ODbL 1.0), built from Oem brochure, Oem press release, Nhtsa vin decode. Still partial for this year: model, trims, powertrain, fuel economy, chassis, dimensions, exterior, interior, infotainment, safety, warranty, options, option rules, vin decode. "Optional" means a package or option adds it; hover for which.
Year by year
| Year | Engines | Drive | Fuel economy | Crash rating | Recalls | Owner complaints | Most-reported problem | CarPlay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 275 hp manual available | FWD | 22–25 mpg | Not rated | 2 | 37 | Lane departure (29) | Yes |
| 2021 | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 201 hp 2.0L 4-cyl, 147–275 hp 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 147–275 hp manual available | FWD | 22–30 mpg | Not rated | 3 | 29 | Lane departure (16) | Yes |
| 2020 | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 201 hp 2.0L 4-cyl, 147–250 hp 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 147–250 hp manual available | FWD | 25–30 mpg | Not rated | 2 | 27 | Engine (9) | Yes |
| 2019 | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 201 hp 2.0L 4-cyl, 147–250 hp 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 147–250 hp manual available | FWD | 25–30 mpg | Not rated | 3 | 46 | Engine (18) | Yes |
| 2017 | 1.6L 4-cyl, 132–201 hp 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 132–201 hp manual available | FWD | 28–31 mpg | 5 of 5 | 0 | 50 | Engine (26) | Yes |
| 2016 | 1.6L 4-cyl 1.6L 4-cyl turbo manual available | FWD | 28–31 mpg | 5 of 5 | 1 | 222 | Engine (132) | Yes |
| 2015 | 1.6L 4-cyl 1.6L 4-cyl turbo manual available | FWD | 26–30 mpg | 5 of 5 | 2 | 137 | Engine (76) | No |
| 2014 | 1.6L 4-cyl 1.6L 4-cyl turbo manual available | FWD | 26–30 mpg | 5 of 5 | 2 | 86 | Engine (34) | No |
| 2013 | 1.6L 4-cyl 1.6L 4-cyl turbo manual available | FWD | 27–31 mpg | Not rated | 3 | 424 | Engine (171) | No |
| 2012 | 1.6L 4-cyl manual available | FWD | 30–31 mpg | Not rated | 6 | 296 | Engine (61) | No |
Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA, counted as filed: older years have had longer to collect them and sales aren't adjusted for, so see Which year to buy for a fair comparison. Most-reported problem: the component named in the most complaints that year. Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.
Which years have…
Apple lists CarPlay for: Veloster 2016–2022 (Apple).
Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints
| Year | Version | Stars | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Hyundai Veloster N 3 HB FWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 2 | 37 |
| 2021 | Hyundai Veloster 3 HB FWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 1 | 11 |
| 2021 | Hyundai Veloster N 3 HB FWD | Not Rated | No | Standard | 2 | 18 |
| 2020 | Hyundai Veloster 3 HB FWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 1 | 24 |
| 2020 | Hyundai Veloster N 3 HB FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 1 | 3 |
| 2019 | Hyundai Veloster 3 HB FWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 2 | 42 |
| 2019 | Hyundai Veloster N 3 HB FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 3 | 40 |
| 2017 | Hyundai VELOSTER 3 C FWD | 5 | No | No | 0 | 50 |
| 2016 | Hyundai VELOSTER 3 C FWD | 5 | No | No | 1 | 222 |
| 2015 | Hyundai VELOSTER 3 C FWD | 5 | No | No | 2 | 137 |
| 2014 | Hyundai VELOSTER 3 C FWD | 5 | No | No | 2 | 86 |
| 2013 | Hyundai Veloster 2 DR FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 3 | 424 |
| 2012 | Hyundai Veloster 2 DR FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 6 | 296 |
Source: NHTSA.
Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg
| Year | EPA model | Engines | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Veloster N | Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (AM-S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo |
22–25 |
| 2021 | Veloster | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L |
28–30 |
| 2021 | Veloster N | Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (AM-S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo |
22–25 |
| 2020 | Veloster | Auto (AM7), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L |
28–30 |
| 2020 | Veloster N | Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 25 |
| 2019 | Veloster | Auto (AM7), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L |
28–30 |
| 2019 | Veloster N | Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 25 |
| 2017 | Veloster | Auto (AM6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L Auto (AM7), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo |
28–31 |
| 2016 | Veloster | Auto (AM6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L Auto (AM6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo |
28–31 |
| 2015 | Veloster | Auto (AM6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo |
26–30 |
| 2014 | Veloster | Auto (AM6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo |
26–30 |
| 2013 | Veloster | Auto (AM6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo |
27–31 |
| 2012 | Veloster | Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L Auto (AM6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L |
30–31 |
Source: fueleconomy.gov.