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2012 Hyundai Veloster

Hatchback · 2012–2022 · Veloster, Veloster N

2012–2022 Hyundai Veloster
2012–2022 pictured. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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

20122013201420152016201720182019202020212022

What changed for 2012

First year we have trim data for.

2012 Veloster trims

Base
Price
Starting MSRPfrom $17,300
Powertrain
EngineGamma
Horsepower138 hp
TransmissionDCT: EcoShift DCT
Manual: 6-Speed Manual
Gears6
DrivetrainDCT / Manual
Fuel economy (combined)32 mpg
Size and capability
Seats4
Curb weightDCT: —
Manual: 2,584 lb
Tech
Touchscreen7 in
Apple CarPlayOptional
Android AutoOptional
Speakers6 + option
Driver assistance
Parking sensorsOptional
Comfort
SeatsCloth
Exterior
SunroofOptional
Wheels17 in + option
Packages and options (17)
Base
Style Package $2,000Optional
Technology Package $2,000Optional
6-Speed Ecoshift Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) with Manual Shift Mode and Paddle Shifters $1,250Optional
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

YearEnginesDriveFuel economyCrash ratingRecalls Owner complaintsMost-reported problemCarPlay
2022 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 275 hp
manual available
FWD22–25 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
FWD22–30 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
FWD25–30 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
FWD25–30 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
FWD28–31 mpg 5 of 5 0 50 Engine (26) Yes
2016 1.6L 4-cyl
1.6L 4-cyl turbo
manual available
FWD28–31 mpg 5 of 5 1 222 Engine (132) Yes
2015 1.6L 4-cyl
1.6L 4-cyl turbo
manual available
FWD26–30 mpg 5 of 5 2 137 Engine (76) No
2014 1.6L 4-cyl
1.6L 4-cyl turbo
manual available
FWD26–30 mpg 5 of 5 2 86 Engine (34) No
2013 1.6L 4-cyl
1.6L 4-cyl turbo
manual available
FWD27–31 mpg Not rated 3 424 Engine (171) No
2012 1.6L 4-cyl
manual available
FWD30–31 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 CarPlay (wired or wireless)Wireless phone chargingHead-up displayLane centeringBlind-spot monitoringHeated front seatsHeated steering wheelLeather seatsRemote startSunroof or moonroofPanoramic roof

Apple lists CarPlay for: Veloster 2016–2022 (Apple).

Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints
YearVersionStarsForward collision warning Lane departure warningRecallsComplaints
2022 Hyundai Veloster N 3 HB FWDNot Rated StandardStandard 237
2021 Hyundai Veloster 3 HB FWDNot Rated StandardStandard 111
2021 Hyundai Veloster N 3 HB FWDNot Rated NoStandard 218
2020 Hyundai Veloster 3 HB FWDNot Rated StandardStandard 124
2020 Hyundai Veloster N 3 HB FWDNot Rated NoNo 13
2019 Hyundai Veloster 3 HB FWDNot Rated StandardStandard 242
2019 Hyundai Veloster N 3 HB FWDNot Rated NoNo 340
2017 Hyundai VELOSTER 3 C FWD5 NoNo 050
2016 Hyundai VELOSTER 3 C FWD5 NoNo 1222
2015 Hyundai VELOSTER 3 C FWD5 NoNo 2137
2014 Hyundai VELOSTER 3 C FWD5 NoNo 286
2013 Hyundai Veloster 2 DR FWDNot Rated NoNo 3424
2012 Hyundai Veloster 2 DR FWDNot Rated NoNo 6296

Source: NHTSA.

Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg
YearEPA modelEnginesCombined
2022Veloster NMan 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
Auto (AM-S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
22–25
2021VelosterAuto (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
2021Veloster NMan 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
Auto (AM-S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
22–25
2020VelosterAuto (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
2020Veloster NMan 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo 25
2019VelosterAuto (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
2019Veloster NMan 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo 25
2017VelosterAuto (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
2016VelosterAuto (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
2015VelosterAuto (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
2014VelosterAuto (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
2013VelosterAuto (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
2012VelosterMan 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L
Auto (AM6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L
30–31

Source: fueleconomy.gov.

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