Problems · NHTSA complaints

2015 Hyundai Veloster problems

Owners filed 137 complaints about the 2015 Hyundai Veloster with NHTSA between Mar 2015 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is engine (76).

Complaints
137
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
7
Reported by owners
Injuries
4
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  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
  10. Suspension2
  11. Service brakes, hydraulic2
  12. Exterior lighting2
  13. Steering2
  14. Visibility/wiper2

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20155
20162
20171
20186
20199
20209
202130
202219
202317
202423
202510
20266

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine

76 reports4 fires1 related recall
“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

Service brakes

9 reports
“ABS, EPS, check engine light appeared on dashboard then car’s steering wheel stiffed and car lost power. Vehicle’s hood smells burnt and has fumes come out after driving for 10-20minutes. My safety and my family’s was endangered as this happened while driving on the road. Not at a stop sign or a red traffic light but while driving. The dealer has refused to inspect/address the issue without having me paid close to $2,500.00 for other repairs.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 27, 2025Electrical system, Service brakes, EngineODI 11669788

Fuel/propulsion system

6 reports1 fire
“problem with car engine has been recall for several years, brakes have been recall for 2-3 years now my emissions are mess up from recall engine which now i do not have a car to drive, being a heart patient, veteran, it is hard without one and i can't afford a new one i have done all Maintenace and everything on my end to keep it going. engine eats oil, loses compression on road knocking had in shop twice still no fixing the problems my engine light is on i have been told by dealer my car can catch on fire from brakes and engine getting hot in the cabin jerks tried to cut out on me several times afraid to drive it anymore. hyundai is putting everything off until it blows us up i guess. can you help me? i wrote to hyundai corp and sent contacts through the computer no response back wiper doesnt work or gps all broke in it, never use the back wiper but once,also clogged catalytic converters confirm by hyundai dealership”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 7, 2024Service brakes, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11593038

Vehicle speed control

6 reports
“MY CAR IS CHANGING GEARS WHILE IM DRIVING- I WILL APPEAR TO LOSE IMMEDIATE POWER TO THE VEHICLE ONLY TO SEE THAT THE CAR THAT WAS IN DRIVE, GOING 65 MILES PER HOUR, DROPS DOWN TO 20 IN SECONDS AND IS NOW IN 2ND GEAR OR NEUTRAL ! OTHER ISSUES- PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE FROM PARK AND IT JUMPS TO NEUTRAL- PUT CAR IN DRIVE- STAYS IN DRIVE POSITION BUT SATYS IN NEUTRAL - PUT THE CAR IN PARK BUT CAR THINKS ITS IN REVERSE - BLEW A PISTON AT 65000 MILES - HYUNDAI REFUSED TO HELP ME FOR 5 MONTHS - TRIED TO SELL ME A NEW ENGINE -- THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENNG FOR 2 YEARS - I WILL LIST THE LATEST EVENT BELOW”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 3, 2021Vehicle speed control, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11439213
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026

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