YearToAvoid

2012 Hyundai Veloster Engine Problems

Engine problems account for 71 of 296 complaints (24%) filed on the 2012 Hyundai Veloster, with a median failure mileage of 83,560 miles. NHTSA lists no related recalls for this issue on the 2012 model, though owners report fires, oil consumption, and stalling.

Engine complaints
71
24% of 296
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
83,561 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners describe engine fires starting under the hood, sometimes while driving at highway speed, with smoke appearing in the rearview mirror before flames.
  • Some report the engine burning oil faster than normal, with the oil and check engine lights coming on before a later fire or replacement.
  • Several describe the car hesitating or failing to accelerate from a stop, with high RPMs but slow or delayed forward movement.
  • Others report the vehicle stalling or dropping into limp mode unexpectedly, sometimes near a highway entrance or during a lane change.
  • A few describe the transmission or drivetrain acting up alongside engine symptoms, including clunking noises and difficulty holding gear at low speeds.

When 2012 Hyundai Veloster engine complaints were filed

First complaint Jun 2, 2012, latest Sep 10, 2026.

2012 Hyundai Veloster engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter62012 Q22014 Q22016 Q42018 Q32020 Q22021 Q42023 Q32025 Q3
71 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2012 Q2 to 2026 Q3; peak 2019 Q2 (6).

Engine recalls for the 2012 Hyundai Veloster

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Veloster model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201271 (24%)
  2. 2013181 (43%)
  3. 201436 (42%)
  4. 201580 (59%)
  5. 2016143 (64%)
  6. 201727 (54%)
  7. 201921 (50%)
  8. 20209 (38%)
  9. 20213 (27%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems on the 2012 Hyundai Veloster?
NHTSA lists 71 engine-related complaints for the 2012 Veloster, which is 24% of the 296 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2012 Hyundai Veloster engine?
No. NHTSA shows no related recalls listed for this engine issue on the 2012 Veloster.
At what mileage do 2012 Veloster engine problems usually show up?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this engine issue is 83,560 miles.
Are the engine problems on the 2012 Veloster dangerous?
NHTSA data tied to this issue includes 4 fires, 2 crashes, and 1 injury among the reported complaints.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.