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ProblemsByVinFile / 2012-HYUNDAI-VELOSTERNHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Hyundai
2012 Hyundai Veloster problems
The 2012 Hyundai Veloster has 295 NHTSA owner complaints and 6 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2012 Hyundai Veloster has 295 NHTSA owner complaints and 6 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is visibility at 64 complaints, typically surfacing around 34,741 miles (~$350 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
0
Critical
6
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2012 Veloster?
High-risk ownership
Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open.
Visibility: 64 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 7,200–58,000 mi
Electrical system: 32 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 52,000–99,000 mi
Reliability score 6.0/10 — around the segment average
6 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2012 Hyundai Veloster? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
visibility — 64 owner reports
· tends to show around 34,741 mi · ~$350 to fix
steering — 42 owner reports
· tends to show around 71,837 mi · ~$700 to fix
electrical — 32 owner reports
· tends to show around 76,844 mi · ~$850 to fix
engine — 31 owner reports
· tends to show around 107,916 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: visibility is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 34,741 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 6 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 6.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2012 Veloster· steering
When driving under any road conditions and at speeds from 15 to 65, the car seems to track to the left or right of center but does not want to track straight ahead. When trying to turn the wheel to correct this, there is a lot of resistance, which forces the driver to…
Driving at 70mph southbound on I-5 near albany or the sunroof suddenly imploded, showering the inside of the car with glass. The sunroof was closed as were all of the windows and the shade was open. Despite the traffic I was able to pull over to the side of the road and my…
The car has a failing steering coupler just as other models of Hyundai have and they claim the problem is known but nothing can be done to to no recall. It is no different than other models that were recalled.
On september 16th 2012, approximately 4 months after purchasing the vehicle, I was driving east on I-90 at about 70 MPH when my sunroof exploded. There were no vehicles in my immediate vicinity and no foreign object made contact or entered my vehicle. The sunroof was closed when…
Had a problem with your 2012 Hyundai Veloster?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Veloster vehicles
An electrical short circuit increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the RPAS fuse and sensor, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 28, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 242.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Hyundai Elantra and Sonata Hybrid, 2012 Accent and Veloster vehicles
An overheated accessory outlet increases the risk of fire.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the Tire Mobility Kit accessory outlet plug with a direct-to-battery connection wire harness kit, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 193.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.0 out of 10 based on 295 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Hyundai Veloster has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2012 Hyundai Veloster?
The 2012 Hyundai Veloster is a higher-risk ownership prospect. Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open. The record behind that call: Visibility: 64 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 7,200–58,000 mi; Electrical system: 32 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 52,000–99,000 mi; Reliability score 6.0/10 — around the segment average; 6 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2012 Hyundai Veloster?
Inspect the visibility first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 64 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 34,741 miles. Average repair cost runs about $350 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2012 Hyundai Veloster a good used car to buy?
It scores 6.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 295 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is visibility. Typical failure occurs around 34,741 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2012 Hyundai Veloster?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is visibility, with 64 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 34,741 miles. Average repair cost runs about $350 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The visibility is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $350 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 34,741 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Hyundai Veloster has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2012 Hyundai Veloster?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 295 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $350, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Hyundai/Veloster.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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