At $17,300, the Hyundai Veloster definitely is an expensive buy for a midsize hatchback but the car is very promising in terms of styling, drive, and quality. Hyundai has positioned the Veloster to be a niche product and hence has been able to sell just over 38,000 units of the car. Users have found the Veloster to carry some issues and NHTSA reveals a total of 245 registered complaints with 4 recalls. The majority of those complaints were regarding electrical glitches and engine-related issues. However, the support and service of Hyundai make it an easy car to maintain, and the team gets the work done as efficiently as possible. The 2012 Hyundai Veloster is up against cars like the Scion tC, the Volkswagen Beetle, and the Mini Cooper.
User complaints and problems
Electrical Problems
- Odometer – The users found the odometer to be showing the wrong speed and when the dealers were contacted, they claimed that a discrepancy of 5% is acceptable and normal. However, users stated that the difference was way more than that.
- Fuse – The car was said to not start even after multiple efforts and the vehicle had to be towed to the dealer. The mechanics inspected the issue and it was found that the fuse box had completely burnt and the wiring harness showed signs of a short circuit. The dealers replaced the entire fuse box along with a new wiring harness.
Mechanical Problems
- Engine – It was said that the engine started knocking aggressively while driving without any warning message or lights flashing. The car completely stalled and failed to restart after multiple tries. The car had to be towed and inspected by the dealers who confirmed it to be a complete engine failure and that the only solution was to replace the engine.
- Fuel system – The car was said to run rough with hesitation in its acceleration. The dealers had to diagnose the issue and it was noticed that the fuel pump had failed and needed a replacement.
- Transmission – The User was traveling on the high when they noticed the transmission slip multiple gears. It was found that the reverse gear failed to engage and when the vehicle was diagnosed, the dealers stated that it was a glitch with the transmission control module and dealers fixed it through an update.
- Brakes –The vehicle was performing normally but when the driver applied the brakes, one of the rear wheels locked up and cause the car to slide toward one side. The car was diagnosed and found that the brake booster piston had failed and caused the brakes to stay engaged even after letting go of the brakes.
Safety Problems
- Seatbelt – Seatbelt mounting assembly dislodged from the wall. This caused it to tangle and hang while it was also non-functional. The seatbelt assembly needed a replacement.
- Airbags – Multiple users reported the airbags failed to deploy during a crash, resulting in injuries and bruises. The inspection showed that the poorly placed airbag sensors failed to trigger the module to deploy.
2012 Hyundai Veloster recalls
|
S. No. |
Date |
NHTSA ID |
Issues Noticed |
Additional Remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. |
2nd July 2020 |
20V393000 |
Accessory power outlet may overheat. |
The accessory 12V socket may have been over-tightened, possibly disabling the thermal fuse and allowing the outlet to overheat with prolonged usage, increasing the risk of a fire. |
Hyundai is developing the remedy and will notify owners once ready. |
|
2. |
19th February 2013 |
13V051000 |
Sunroof may shatter due to installation error. |
If the panoramic sunroof was weakened at the factory, the glass panel may break while moving. |
Dealers will replace the sunroof glass. |
|
3. |
7th December 2012 |
12V567000 |
Parking brake components may bind. |
If the parking brake is not fully engaged, it may lead to the vehicle rolling away. |
Dealers will replace the rear brake caliper assembly. |
|
4. |
7th December 2012 |
12V568000 |
Sunroof may shatter due to installation error. |
The sunroof may have been weakened during the installation, causing it to shatter while moving. |
The sunroof integrity will be inspected and replaced if necessary. |
Should you buy the 2012 Hyundai Veloster?
The 2012 Hyundai Veloster sure is a performance-oriented hatchback but the fact that Hyundai hasn’t diverted much from their manufacturing style, the car has turned out to be a reliable commuter. There definitely has been a few engine failure occurrences that were reported but the numbers weren’t massive enough for Hyundai to roll out a recall and they were able to get the affected cars fixed under the engine and powertrain warranty. The car has also been recalled 4 times out of which, the power socket issue still hasn’t been fixed as the team at Hyundai has been closely monitoring the problem in order to provide the absolute root cause and the best solution. All these reasons and support that Hyundai as a brand offers make the Veloster a good deal and we highly recommend picking this car over its rivals.
