Problems · NHTSA complaints

2020 Hyundai Venue problems

Owners filed 42 complaints about the 2020 Hyundai Venue with NHTSA between Sep 2020 and Aug 2026. The most-cited component is power train (8).

Complaints
42
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Power train8
  2. Seat belts8
  3. Electrical system5
  4. Forward collision avoidance3
  5. Engine3
  6. Steering3
  7. Vehicle speed control3
  8. Exterior lighting3
  9. Service brakes, hydraulic2
  10. Lane departure2
  11. Structure1
  12. Engine and engine cooling1
  13. Visibility/wiper1
  14. Suspension1

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
20202
20217
20229
202311
20246
20253
20264

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

Power train

8 reports
“I bought this Hyundai Venue because it came with a manual transmission, which I prefer driving, however the transmission has been the biggest issue with this vehicle. It has a tendency to get stuck in reverse, most often when changing gear on a slight incline or decline. This has left me frantically trying to force the transmission out of reverse and into first. It's really scary when this happens in traffic (ex: reversing out of a parallel park). Sometimes you have to "rock" the car by reversing further (if you have space), clutching in and jiggling the shifter, but that doesn't always work. This started happening so frequently that I took the car to Pohanka Hyundai of Fredericksburg and they diagnosed it as acorns getting stuck in the gear linkage, but after having it cleaned out and seeing no more squirrel/rodent activity, it still gets stuck in reverse on occasion. I have owned two manual transmission cars before this and never had this issue with those.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 6, 2026Power trainODI 11755301

Seat belts

8 reports1 related recall
“I have two serious complaints about this vehicle. I am 5 ft 2 in tall. The seatbelt consistently slides across my neck causing distraction while driving. One would think that manufacturers would have figured this out by now. Almost all vehicles do this to anyone under 5ft 3in tall. Can’t tell me that when they add expensive sensors the seatbelt adjustment would be all that expensive to fix. Also- I have three grandchildren two in car seats one rear facing. It is not safe for me to travel with all three in the backseat. If I’m sideswiped the older child will have broken hips there is simply not enough room. And when we put the rear facing in the back seat the passenger in front has to push up so far their knees are in the dash. Can we say”how about I eat that airbag?””
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 4, 2025Seat belts, Unknown or otherODI 11671257

Electrical system

5 reports1 crash1 fire
“In a passenger-side front collision at 25mph, no front collision warning was given, and the automatic braking system did not engage. Fire broke out inside the vehicle next to the floorboard beside the front passenger seat (bottom of B-post) almost immediately upon impact. Upon inspection of the vehicle on 1/16, I believe the wiring that powers the passenger side airbags shorted (see photos), resulting in a fire which quickly engulfed the interior of the vehicle. Investigation, police report, and insurance still pending.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 16, 2026Electrical system, Forward collision avoidanceCrash reportedFire reportedODI 11711460

Forward collision avoidance

3 reports1 crash1 fire
“Driving on freeway on way home and all the dash lights lite up. Abs, collision waring, traction and the triangle with and exlimation mark. Car slowed down and dash flickered. Engine started making a light thud noise. 2nd time happening. First time was every similar but was on an empty road alone at 6am. When happened. First time took to dealership. Didn't happen again. Plan on taking again tomorrow. Super scary. Had car for 4 years this June. 36000miles.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 18, 2024Unknown or other, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11615300

Engine

3 reports
“The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Venue. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The check engine warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under TSB #: 23-01-019H; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed back to the same local dealer where it was diagnosed with DTC code: P0301 (Transmission Failure) and the contact was informed that the failure was related to TSB #: 23-01-019H. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the local dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure by the local dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 24, 2024Power train, EngineODI 11621745

Steering

3 reports1 crash
“Wheel was slightly going back and forth and it felt like I was driving in a rut. The all of a sudden the wheel jumped over real fast and I hit my head hard on the driver window. I immediately jerk the wheel and pulled us back to our lane. The person with me asked if I went to sleep or something and I said, see the car is jumping in front of the truck, like before when just me driving. I had complained about the car and I could have a serious accident or worse, I could die after hitting the window hard enough that is took me a second to get us back in line because of my head hurting. The car usually feels like in a rut before It jumps me over and I have to come back to my lane. I was jumped into the big truck going the opposite way but was far enough away that I could get us back in our lane. It has happened to me a few days before when someone behind me was coming up just to the left and the wheel jumped over and I almost hit that car and had to fight the car back into my lane. People thought I was drinking to do the swerving like I had. The safety of others and myself is very dangerous. I don't like traveling anywhere with the car, When I drive it does this…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 14, 2023Steering, Unknown or other, Lane departureODI 11544600
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.