NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 25 owner complaints for the 2020 Hyundai Veloster. Most complaints involve engine (10) and power train (3). The EPA rates it 28–30 mpg combined.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Elantra, 2019-2021 Kona and Veloster vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which could result in engine damage.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“Vehicle was checked for Hyundai recall 203 in 2022. Engine suffered a catastrophic failure in March of 2024 at around 94,000 miles due to the improperly heat treated piston rings referenced in Hyundai recall 203. Dealership only replaced the short block after suffering an attempted thrown rod, resulting in debris left in the engine. A teardown of the engine was required this year to unstick the OCV 2 Valve which should have been replaced with a Long Block replacement after the catastrophic rod failure. No check engine light or oil pressure light appeared before the original catastrophic failure. Technician report confirmed there was no oil sludge sticking the valve. About 2 weeks ago I had received a P0016 and eventually a P0171 code. During this time I had a rough idle and my car would constantly try to pull itself forwards when braking or idling due to the engine constantly pulling more air and fuel through then it should. Doing my due diligence I replaced my 2 VVT Solenoids and a PCV Valve on my own before ultimately needing to bring it in.”
“The engine/engine management system malfunctioned. The vehicle began repeatedly stalling and shutting off while I was driving and while stopped in traffic. The vehicle is now no longer able to start and run and will need to be towed to a Hyundai dealer. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. My safety and the safety of others were put at risk because the engine shut off unexpectedly in active traffic. When the engine stalled, I lost the ability to continue accelerating and had to put the vehicle in Park and restart it. This occurred more than once and could have caused a collision, especially in intersections or congested traffic. An independent diagnostic scan was performed and showed engine misfire faults, although it did not identify a specific cylinder. The vehicle has not yet been fully inspected by Hyundai because it is currently inoperable and needs to be towed to the dealer. Hyundai has confirmed that there is an active software/campaign update associated with my VIN. I am also aware of Hyundai engine-related campaigns involving certain 2019–2021 Veloster vehicles with the 2.0L Nu engine, and my vehicle is experiencing similar symptoms,…”
“During cold temperatures (sub 32F), the driver's side door will not open from the outside. Occasionally the passenger door is affected as well. This required crawling through the hatch to open the doors from the inside. When the key fob is actuated you can hear and audible click in the area of the door lock, but it can't be opened. Once the weather warms and the car warms up the doors perform normally. This has never occurred during the warmer months.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veloster Auto (AM7), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 34 | 30 | $2,100 | 296 |
| Veloster Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 27 | 34 | 30 | $2,100 | 300 |
| Veloster Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 33 | 29 | $2,150 | 308 |
| Veloster Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 33 | 28 | $2,200 | 317 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
1 safety recall 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.
Owners filed 25 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (10), power train (3), electrical system (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2020 Hyundai Veloster at 28–30 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).