The Lemon Index
202020222nd generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 2,112 in the U.S. in 2021 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 23 complaints in its first 3 years.
23 owner complaints, first 3 years 22–30 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2021 Honda Civic 322021 Toyota Corolla 422021 Hyundai Elantra 105
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 26V728000 (airbags), 24V528000 (fuel system, gasoline) and 22V746000 (transmission & drivetrain) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the lane-keeping warnings work without false alerts?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Hyundai sent dealers 76 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “One or more misfire DTCs due”?
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 23 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 →
In owners' words
Constant False positives, already took to dealership and issue still persists
2021 Hyundai Veloster owner · NHTSA complaint 11470596
More owner reports
high pressure fuel pump needed to be replaced twice before 1k miles the car just stalled out of no where .. now the car needs a new wheel berrings at 10k miles .
NHTSA complaint 11478090
Problems Hyundai told dealers about
Hyundai sent dealers 76 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- One or more misfire DTCs due
- N Vehicles are designed to maximize dynamic steering performance
- DTC P1326 set due to water
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- 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.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2022
The vehicle's "fail-safe" limited-mobility drive mode may be impaired, when prompted by a transmission oil pump malfunction, which can result in a complete loss of drive power.
Show all 4 recalls
- 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–$3,400 (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. 2021 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 2021 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/hyundai-veloster/?y=2021" 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/2021/">Lemon Index</a> (2021 Hyundai Veloster reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2021 Hyundai Veloster reliable?
We can't score it: only 2,112 were sold in the U.S. in 2021 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 23 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2021 Hyundai Veloster problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are lane assist (65%), engine (13%) and steering (9%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2021 Hyundai Veloster have?
4 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 2021 Hyundai Veloster get?
22 to 30 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2021 Hyundai Veloster have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 9% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2021 Hyundai Veloster cost in fuel a year?
About $2,000 to $3,400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2021 Hyundai Veloster have?
1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
What Hyundai Veloster year is better than the 2021?
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