Research · Compact Cars

2015 Hyundai VelosterRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 137 owner complaints for the 2015 Hyundai Veloster. Most complaints involve engine (76) and electrical system (26). The EPA rates it 26–30 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
26–30mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Sep 2023
Owner complaints
137
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$2,100est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Service brakes

Park outsideFree remedy

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.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Sep 22, 2023NHTSA 23V651000

Engine

Free remedy

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Veloster, 2012 Santa Fe, 2011-2013 Sonata Hybrid, and 2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which over time can result in engine damage.

EngineReported Dec 1, 2020NHTSA 20V746000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

137 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2015 – Sep 2026
  1. Engine76
  2. Electrical system26
  3. Power train18
  4. Service brakes9
  5. Fuel/propulsion system6
  6. Vehicle speed control6
  7. Structure5
  8. Visibility5
  9. Engine and engine cooling3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Veloster model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2012296
2013427
201486
2015137
2016225
201750
201942
202025
202111
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
7
Injuries reported
4
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

76 reports4 fires
“2015 Hyundai Veloster Turbo (original owner). The vehicle has three severe safety defects: TRUNK/HATCH LATCH FAILURE: The hatchback lift support/latch fails, refusing to stay open. It unexpectedly fell, which has caused repeated, severe impacts to my head and neck, resulting in an injury requiring surgery. I must manually prop it open with a mini ball to load cargo. ENGINE & TURBO FAILURE / OIL CONSUMPTION: History of engine acceleration issues and turbo failures since 4,000 miles. At 44,000 miles, the turbo completely failed, the car started to whine, then rattle, and completely turned off. Dealer (Hyundai Escondido) forced a $2,200 out-of-pocket replacement despite being under warranty, citing a lack of at-home oil change receipts. The vehicle now has a documented, rapid oil leak and excessive consumption issue that the dealer refuses to repair, despite being reported prior to warranty expiration. SEAT BELTS: The front and rear seat belt latches are malfunctioning, intermittently releasing on their own, failing to release properly, or failing to latch securely, compromising the safety of a [XXX] passenger.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 3, 2026Seat belts, Structure, EngineODI 11748212

Electrical system

26 reports2 fires
“Climate control module burnt out (highly common problem). Replaced it along with new connection and it melted the control switch and fried the connector again. Hyundai has acknowledged this very common issue but still hasn't done a recall for the cheap wiring in the vehicle. Ive had smoke come out of my dash the 1st time. They dont sell the control know individually so you have to buy the whole console and they dont sell new connector so you have to buy the entire wiring harness and either take the dash off yourself to replace or take it in to be fixed and pay the hefty price for it. Please make them fix this because im very surprised someone's car hasn't caught fire yet.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 27, 2026Electrical systemODI 11767280

Power train

18 reports
“The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle and shifting into gear, the vehicle failed to respond and became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the rear axle was replaced, the transmission fluid was flushed and refilled, and a shift analyzer software update was performed; however, the failure recurred days later. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was determined that the wheel speed sensor had failed. Upon investigating the failure online, the contact advised the dealer to inspect the crankshaft position sensor; however, the dealer informed the contact that the failure was related to the transmission. The contact was informed that the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired, and the contact was advised to retrieve the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and covered the cost of the rear axle replacement under a goodwill assistance program. Several cases were filed, and the contact sent a video of the failure to the manufacturer. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 24, 2026Power trainODI 11746142
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
1.6L 4-cyl · 1.6L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (AM6) · Manual 6-spd · Automatic (S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Veloster
Auto (AM6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
273530$2,100292
Veloster
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
263429$2,150301
Veloster
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
243327$2,300321
Veloster
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
243126$2,400333
  • Veloster
    Auto (AM6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L
    27 city · 35 hwy · $2,100/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Veloster
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L
    26 city · 34 hwy · $2,150/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • Veloster
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo
    24 city · 33 hwy · $2,300/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • Veloster
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo
    24 city · 31 hwy · $2,400/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Hyundai VELOSTER 3 C FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
10.5%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 9152
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2015 Veloster questions

How many recalls does the 2015 Hyundai Veloster have?

2 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2015 Hyundai Veloster problems?

Owners filed 137 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (76), electrical system (26), power train (18). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2015 Hyundai Veloster get?

The EPA rates the 2015 Hyundai Veloster at 26–30 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

How safe is the 2015 Hyundai Veloster?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2015 Hyundai Veloster 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026