The Lemon Index
201520171st generation
Worse than average · most complaints: transmission & drivetrain
55 owner complaints, first 3 years 28–31 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2016 Honda Civic 1062016 Toyota Corolla 322016 Hyundai Elantra 38
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2016 Hyundai Veloster
- Engine stalling44 complaintsmostly at 55,000–114,000 miles (89,000–183,000 km)
- Engine failure27 complaintsmostly at 91,000–114,000 miles (146,000–183,000 km)
- Turbocharger16 complaints
Specific parts named in the 226 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2016 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 5,100 and 29,000 miles (8,200–47,000 km) (the middle half of the 44 complaints, of all 55 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 recall 20V746000 (engine) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Any fuel smell, stalling or hard starts? On a hybrid or EV, any reduced-power warning or battery work?
- Hyundai sent dealers 128 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 55 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 5K to 29K miles (8K to 47K km) on the car (44 of all 55 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
Driving at slow speeds and foot off of gas, engine screams but the car does not move even though it is in drive. Slowly going up a hill in drive echo, engine dies as I press down on gas pedal.
2016 Hyundai Veloster owner · NHTSA complaint 11000489
More owner reports
My car occasionally will not respond to throttle input and I'm unable to accelerate. Very dangerous if trying to merge into oncoming traffic.
NHTSA complaint 11015796
Experience shifting problems, hesitating acceleration, loss of power . Very on safe when driving trying to pull out into traffic the problems have been happening scince day one of buying the car new
NHTSA complaint 11035559
Problems Hyundai told dealers about
Hyundai sent dealers 128 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
- Check engine warning light
- Check engine warning light with the following
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 1
- Engine · recall issued 2020
The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which over time can result in engine damage.
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
- ClosedEngine fires2021–2024
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 3 C FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $1,950–$2,150 (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. 2016 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 2016 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/hyundai-veloster/?y=2016" 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/2016/">Lemon Index</a> (2016 Hyundai Veloster reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2016 Hyundai Veloster reliable?
No, it is worse than average 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 182; 100 is average, lower is better). The Hyundai Veloster year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2014.
What are the most common 2016 Hyundai Veloster problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (36%), engine (20%) and fuel system (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2016 Hyundai Veloster have?
1 safety recall (latest: engine). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Hyundai Veloster get?
28 to 31 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2016 Hyundai Veloster safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2016 Hyundai Veloster problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 5,100 and 29,000 miles (8,200–47,000 km) (the middle half of the 44 complaints, of all 55 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2016 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 2016 Hyundai Veloster have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 36% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2016 Hyundai Veloster cost in fuel a year?
About $1,950 to $2,150 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2016 Hyundai Veloster have?
1.6L 4-cyl.
What Hyundai Veloster year is better than the 2016?
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