The Lemon Index
20131st generation
Avoid · most complaints: visibility
111 owner complaints, first 3 years 30–31 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2012 Honda Civic 572012 Toyota Corolla 202012 Hyundai Elantra 81
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2012 Hyundai Veloster
- Sunroof leak or shatter79 complaintsmostly at 7,500–63,000 miles (12,000–101,000 km)
- Engine stalling19 complaintsmostly at 12,000–90,000 miles (20,000–145,000 km)
- Engine failure10 complaintsmostly at 85,000–157,000 miles (137,000–253,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 296 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Hyundai Veloster (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 4,900 and 33,000 miles (7,800–54,000 km) (the middle half of the 105 complaints, of all 111 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 23V651000 (brakes), 23V132000 (electrical) and 20V393000 (equipment) done? It has 6 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- NHTSA has an open investigation into hyundai and kia abs module fires. Has this car had that problem?
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Hyundai sent dealers 125 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “The shift lever on some 6-speed vehicles may intermittently not shift out of park”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Hyundai's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 111 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 4K to 33K miles (8K to 54K km) on the car (105 of all 111 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
The car (Hyundai Veloster 2013, manual transmission, production date may 3, 2012) was parked on a small hill, with the hand brake pulled all the way. Apparently the hand brake failed, the car rolled downhill hitting a fence.
2012 Hyundai Veloster owner · NHTSA complaint 10493481
More owner reports
Sunroof shattered/exploded when parked. Glass flew up to two feet away. Outdoor temp was near 70 f.
NHTSA complaint 10548334
Problems Hyundai told dealers about
Hyundai sent dealers 125 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- The shift lever on some 6-speed vehicles may intermittently not shift out of park
- Certain Hyundai vehicles may not be equipped with an immobilizer
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 6
- Brakes · recall issued 2023
The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
- Electrical · recall issued 2023
High conductive liquid may leak into the Reverse Park Aid Sensor (RPAS), which can result in an electrical short circuit.
- Equipment · recall issued 2020
The 12V accessory socket outlet may have been over-tightened during installation, possibly disabling the thermal fuse and allowing the outlet to overheat with prolonged use, such as by using the Tire Mobility Kit air com…
Show all 6 recalls
- Visibility · recall issued 2013
The panoramic sunroof assembly may have been weakened during installation at the factory.
- Visibility · recall issued 2012
The panoramic sunroof assembly may been weakened during installation at the factory.
- Parking brake · recall issued 2012
Moisture and road grime may cause the parking brake components to bind.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Hyundai Veloster recall, all years · All Hyundai recalls
Government investigations
- OpenHyundai and kia abs module fires2023
- ClosedPanoramic sunroof breakage2012–2013
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Veloster 2 DR FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $1,950–$2,000 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 1.6L 4-cyl.
Every Hyundai Veloster year. 2012 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2012 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/hyundai-veloster/?y=2012" title="Hyundai Veloster reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="353" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/hyundai-veloster/2012/">Lemon Index</a> (2012 Hyundai Veloster reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2012 Hyundai Veloster reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew about twice the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 209; 100 is average, lower is better). The Hyundai Veloster year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2014.
What are the most common 2012 Hyundai Veloster problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are visibility (43%), body structure (14%) and transmission & drivetrain (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Hyundai Veloster have?
6 safety recalls (latest: brakes). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Hyundai Veloster get?
30 to 31 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2012 Hyundai Veloster problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 4,900 and 33,000 miles (7,800–54,000 km) (the middle half of the 105 complaints, of all 111 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2012 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2012 Hyundai Veloster have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 11% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2012 Hyundai Veloster cost in fuel a year?
About $1,950 to $2,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Hyundai Veloster have?
1.6L 4-cyl.
What Hyundai Veloster year is better than the 2012?
Nearby, the 2014 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a quarter as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works