The Lemon Index
201920212nd generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 6,785 in the U.S. in 2020 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 15 complaints in its first 3 years.
15 owner complaints, first 3 years 25–30 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2020 Honda Civic 402020 Toyota Corolla 492020 Hyundai Elantra 119
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
When problems show up
Only 5 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 26V728000 (airbags), 24V528000 (fuel system, gasoline) and 21V301000 (engine) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Do all the headlights, taillights and turn signals work?
- Hyundai sent dealers 91 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a Check Engine light on and one or more of the…”?
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 15 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 9K to 25K miles (16K to 40K km) on the car (5 of all 15 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
Clear coat on the rims are fading and starting to dull... I only have 10k miles on the car and owned it for 3 months
2020 Hyundai Veloster owner · NHTSA complaint 11315508
Problems Hyundai told dealers about
Hyundai sent dealers 91 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a Check Engine light on and one or more of the…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 3
- Airbags · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
A software error in the air bag control unit (ACU) may improperly deactivate the air bag system and seat belt pretensioners.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2024
The fuel pump may fail, which can result in a loss of drive power.
- Engine · recall issued 2021 2.0L engines only
The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which could 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
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Veloster 3 HB FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Hyundai Veloster N 3 HB FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,000–$3,000 (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, 2.0L 4-cyl.
Every Hyundai Veloster year. 2020 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 2020 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/hyundai-veloster/?y=2020" 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/2020/">Lemon Index</a> (2020 Hyundai Veloster reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2020 Hyundai Veloster reliable?
We can't score it: only 6,785 were sold in the U.S. in 2020 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 15 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2020 Hyundai Veloster problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (33%), wheels (7%) and lights (7%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2020 Hyundai Veloster have?
3 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Hyundai Veloster get?
25 to 30 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2020 Hyundai Veloster have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2020 Hyundai Veloster cost in fuel a year?
About $2,000 to $3,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2020 Hyundai Veloster have?
1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
What Hyundai Veloster year is better than the 2020?
Nearby, the 2019 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about three-quarters as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2014 drew the fewest.
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