2020 Hyundai Veloster problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (8) · Steering (2) · Power Train (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Hyundai Veloster model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (1)
Engine 2021-04-28 · campaign 21V301000 · 158,493 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Hyundai will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. Owner notification letters were mailed August 24, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.
Service bulletins (87)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-10-08 · 26-EM-016H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. this bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning procedure for vehicles diagnosed with this condition. all internal combustion engines consume some engine oil during normal operatio
Engine 2026-10-07 · 26-EM-015H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. this bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures for vehicles exhibiting this condition. all internal combustion engines consume engine oil as part of normal engine operatio
Engine 2026-04-18 · 26-EE-003H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some vehicles may exhibit difficulty starting in cold weather. this bulletin provides the procedure to perform an inspection on the starter magnetic switch for potential freezing and, if necessary, replace the starter magnetic switch (solenoid) assembly.
Air Bags 2026-04-10 · DTN DL · Other
the national highway traffic safety administration (nhtsa) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by jilin province detiannuo automobile safety system co., ltd. (dtn). these inflators were not supplied, approved, or authorized by the vehi
Air Bags 2026-04-10 · DTN DCS · Other
the national highway traffic safety administration (nhtsa) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured by jilin province detiannuo automobile safety system co., ltd. (dtn), that have been identified in u.s. vehicles following prior
Air Bags 2025-12-19 · TRW Settlement DCS · Other
a class action settlement regarding the trw airbag was recently decided. based on the class action, customers are eligible for certain settlement benefits. please see attached for details. impacted vehicles are also noted below. for further information regarding settlement benefits and contacts, ple
Showing the 6 most recent of 87 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-19 · Engine“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 t…”
2026-09-14 · Power Train“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 p…”
2025-09-11 · Fuel/Propulsion System“gas was shooting out of my gas tank cap, strong gasoline smells in and out side the vehicle, popping noise coming from the back from the gas tank expanding so much it pushed up the rear seat. this puts me and others at risk of fire, explosion and toxic exposure. this problem has been reproduced. the vehicle has been inspected by the dealer. a check…”
2025-06-21 · Structure:body“glass roof spontaneously shattered. car was sitting in direct california sun. nothing touched the roof but heat, the entire panel shattered and the car is undriveable.thankfully my car was unoccupied at the time. i have heard there had been class action lawsuits in the past regarding this vehicle make and model involving years up to 2018 but models…”
2025-04-25 · Engine · 90,000 mi“the contact owns a 2020 hyundai veloster. the contact stated that while driving 40 mph, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. no warning lights were illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the piston oil rings, resulting in damages to the engine. the vehicle was not repaired.…”
2025-04-25 · Engine“i have a 2020 hyundai veloster 2.0l and their is a knocking noise coming for the engine for the piston haven’t been properly heated right and when i search the vin up on here it come up as a different car in the picture …”
2024-08-03 · Power Train“on 2/14/2024, my car started not to accelerate after the crash collision light came on. my car pulled off like it was a snail but picked up speed after i drove a bit. i had to put my hazard flasher lights on in order for other car not run over me, which was a major safety issues and put me and my grandson at risk of being hurt. there was no check…”
2024-06-20 · Steering“while driving my steering wheel will lock up and i’ll get an error message for lane keep assist on the dash. i never use lane keep assist so even when it’s off it does this. i have to keep turning my car off and back on for my steering wheel to unlock and the error will disappear. …”
2024-02-08 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 39,000 mi“the contact's son owns a 2020 hyundai veloster. the contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. the contact's son pulled over and restarted the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to the contact's family-owned auto repair shop, where the high-pressu…”
2023-06-02 · Unknown Or Other“when driving the car, it will intermittingly hesitate and as i press on the pedal the engine revs up but does not increase in speed. this has happened multiple times in the past month and is extremely dangerous. the other day i almost got hit by the car behind me and luckily there was an inlet i was able to pull into, stop and put into park, the…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.