Home · 2012 Hyundai Veloster · Complaints

What 295 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Hyundai Veloster

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (295)Crash / fire / injury (39)Visibility & wipers (67)Engine (61)Steering (42)Electrical system (38)Transmission & drivetrain (31)Brakes (27)Body & structure (25)Speed control (15)Airbags (12)Wheels (12)

39 of 295 complaints match · crash/fire/injury only · clear filters · page 1 of 2

Jun 26, 20261 injury

While driving on the interstate, at approximately 70mph, the sunroof glass shattered causing glass to fall into the vehicle and into the face of the driver. This was not caused by any outside object or force, but simply shattered. Upon searching the web, I discovered NHSTA campaign #12V592000 and 12V56800 and Hyundai recall #108. While I was notified by Hyundai about other vehicle recalls, I was not notified about this one.

NHTSA ODI 11746771

Jan 23, 2026AirbagsSeat beltsCrash1 injury

On January 15, 2026, at approximately 7:51 a.m., my son was involved in a motor vehicle collision that disabled three vehicles. His vehicle sustained significant damage and was declared a total loss. During the collision, the driver-side airbag did not deploy, and the seat belt failed to engage. As a result of the restraint system failures, my son sustained head trauma and required medical evaluation. There were no prior warnings or indicator lights suggesting a malfunction of the airbag or seat belt systems prior to the crash. The failure of these safety systems raises concern about a potential defect that could pose a risk to other drivers. This complaint is submitted to document the incident and to request that it be reviewed for potential investigation or recall action in the interest of public safety.

NHTSA ODI 11712926

Aug 13, 2025Electrical systemEngineCrash1 injury

I stood my [XXX] nephew up in the front passengers side floorboard of the 2012 hyundia voloster manual transmission with push start . I stepped out of the car on the passage side of the car the car was parked in first gear no one was on the driver's side . I bent over to get my shoes on and baby reached over and pushed the start button on the car the car should not have started since the clutch was not pressed in but unfortunately the car started and lunged forward being on a incline it was as if someone smashed on the gas pedal I ran with the car as far as I could but it was going so fast I could not get into the car to stop it I was drug trying to stop the car the car flew thru a fence , into the woods, down a steep hill then crossed a one lane road traveled up a hill thru another patch of woods before going up hill and hitting a tree all the while our nephew was not in a car seat the car was bouncing side to side when it went off road to cross a creek so I know the baby was thrown around in the car he had to of been that car was going so fast I was screaming in fear that he would not be alive when I made it to the car now the key was in my purse located in the passenger side floorboard where I stood the baby up at so when I reached the car the doors had automatically locked the car was still running and the baby was screaming I could not leave the baby to go get help so I tried to tell him to open the door but like I said he is [XXX] old he didn't know what I was telling him to do and since the car went thru the fence it knocked the wiper blades off and the metal was going back and forth on the glass and it was so loud screeching back and forth and baby is screaming and I could not get to him and I know the screeching is scaring him even more so I reached up the pull the wipers away from the windshield and when I did baby leans on the door to see what I was doing and he hits the windows button and the windows came down just far enough to get it unlock INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11680446

Nov 29, 2024SteeringElectrical systemFire

Over the last year, I’ve had to purchase three air conditioner switches after driving for several years with it being out the first one we replaced caused a small electrical fire as did all of the others. This has been an ongoing issue not just with my car, but my sister‘s in-laws who is a 2014 model I looked online. It has been reported over the years basically since the cars come out of this same issue can you please Issue a safety recall before somebody’s house or vehicle or both catches fire completely. This is not safe at all. I have already put in a request for the safety recall on several other occasions this is unacceptable unsafe and a very large problem across the United States since this vehicle has come out please do something.

NHTSA ODI 11627898

May 15, 2024Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemFire

In Dec of last year my cars dash lights started flashing no matter which gear I tried the gear would flash on the dash,when I called my extended warranty "car shield ",they recommended that I take it to a repair shop in nearby city and have a diagnostic test performed. I did so,in which after testing they said it was something on side of transmission and they weren't equipped to perform the repairs and needed to be taken to dealership instead. I picked up the vehicle and same issue was present of course, so I had it towed to a dealership and then was contacted by them that they could not do a diagnostic test until the battery was replaced because it was not starting, so I brought a battery and put it on in the place of my old one.I made sure that the vehicle was going to start before leaving and it did with no problem, so I turned it off and was contacted by the dealership saying that it was extensive damage, and car shield had to send out their own personal investigator and they refused to fix any issues and would not pay for diagnostic services or the $10,000 to cover the repairs due to unknown circumstances causing the fuse box next to battery to melt as well as damage to my wiring harness and the wiring harness for the alternator somehow. Now I have a vehicle that I paid for less than a year ago and a no good extended warranty paid for as well and a vehicle with less than 100000 miles that's useless.

NHTSA ODI 11588811

Sep 10, 2021TiresCrash

The contact owned a 2012 Hyundai Veloster equipt with Lexani LXUHP207 tires size 215/40/18. The contact stated that after purchasing the new tires the daughter was driving approximately 65 mph when the rear passenger side tire experienced sidewall separation causing the daughter to lose control of the vehicle and crash into a guard rail. During the crash, the vehicle was destroyed. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. No injuries were reported. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet notified of the incident. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11432416

Apr 3, 2021Transmission & drivetrain1 injury

. WHEN I BOUGHT IT IT HAD 98,000 KM ON IT. STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND I HAD ALL THE RECALLS FROM A FEW YEARS AGO DONE TO BRING IT ALL UP TO DATE. I RELIGIOUSLY CHANGED THE OIL, ROTATED TIRES, FLUIDS UPDATED, NEW BATTERY, ETC. IN 6 YEARS I HAVE PUT 8000KM ON THE CAR SINCE I BOUGHT IT AND WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM MY DAUGHTERS A FEW WEEKS AGO IT KEPT POPPING OUT OF FOURTH GEAR? THIS HAPPENED THE ONE TIME AND NO LIGHTS CAME ON? THEN LAST THURSDAY I WENT TO MY DAUGHTERS HOUSE TO HELP OUT WITH THE UNPACKING AND ON THE DRIVE HOME MY CAR GOT STUCK IN 3RD GEAR! I COULDN'T GET IT OUT OF THIRD GEAR UNTIL I ONCE POPPED THE CLUTCH AND OUT IT CAME. SHIFTING WENT BACK TO NORMAL, FOR A WHILE THEN I COULD NOT GET IT TO GO INTO ANY GEAR! I AM ON MY WAY HOME IN RUSH OUR TRAFFIC AND THE CAR WILL NOT GO INTO ANY GEAR BUT SEEMS TO BE STUCK IN 5TH OR 6TH GEAR? BY REVING UP THE ENGINE TO ABOUT 4000 AND LETTING THE CLUTCH OUT SLOWLY WHILE REVING IT WOULD SLOWLY START GOING AND EVENTUALLY IT WOULD BE GOING OK STUCK IN WHATEVER GEAR BUT THERE WERE TRAFFIC LIGHTS!! I HAD TO PULL OVER ONCE AND HAD THE POLICE PULL IN BEHIND ME. WHEN I EXPLAINED TO HER WHAT WAS HAPPENING SHE SAID SHE UNDERSTOOD HER BROTHER HAD THE SAME PROBLEM? I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET IT HOME IN THE SCARIEST RIDE EVER (THROUGH 2 RED LIGHTS AND A STOP SIGN) AND IT WAS SMOKING AND STINKING! NOW I HAVE A CAR WITH INSURANCE ($1200 YR.) ON IT AND 1.5 YEARS LEFT ON THE LOAN ($288.00) A MONTH. 50% OF MY INCOME GOES TO RENT. I LIVE CHEQUE TO CHEQUE. MY MOST IMPORTANT LIFELINE IS MY CAR AND NOW I CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX IT AND IT WON'T DRIVE. IS THERE NOT ENOUGH PROBLEMS WITH THIS SAME THING ON THE SAME CAR AND SAME YEAR IT SHOULD BE A RECALL. 6,000KM OVER THE WARRANTY AND THE TRANSMISSION GOES? I DROVE IT 8000KM IN 6 YEARS AND THE TRANSMISSION GOES? WHAT KIND OF GRACE DO YOU GIVE ON KM OVER 100KM WARRANTIES.

NHTSA ODI 11406247

Feb 9, 2021EngineFire

I HEARD SOMETHING DROP AND THEN THE CAR STARTED SMOKING. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, TURNED OFF THE CAR, AND WENT TO OPEN THE HOOD, BUT SAW FLAMES. THE ENTIRE FRONT HALF WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. A COUPLE YEARS AGO I HAD TO GET AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT DUE TO OIL OVER CONSUMPTION. THE SAME ISSUES STARTED HAPPENING AGAIN AND THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT HELPFUL WITH GETTING THE SITUATION FIGURED OUT.

NHTSA ODI 11395448

Oct 9, 2020Crash1 injury

THIS CARS ENGINE JUST SHUTS OFF WHEN DRIVING, IT WILL NOT GO INTO GEAR EVEN THOUGH IT SAYS IT'S IN DRIVE ETC. MY HUSBAND PARKED THE CAR IN OUR FLAT DRIVEWAY AND THE CAR WENT FORWARD CRUSHING HIM AGAINST THE HOUSE. I PULLED THE CAR BACKWARDS EVEN THOUGH IT WAS IT SAID IT WAS IN PARK TO FREE HIM. CONTACTED HYUNDAI CORPORATE AND THEY SAID THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE. WILL BE CONTACTED A LAWYER BECAUSE THIS WAS CAUGHT ON VIDEO FROM MY RING DOORBELL. THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME WHERE IT WILL NOT GO INTO GEAR AND YOU HAVE TO SHUT THE CAR OFF AND ON 3XS BEFORE IT WILL GO INTO GEAR. HYUNDAI DEALER SAYS THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 11363643

Jun 11, 2020Electrical systemFire

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT ISSUES WITH AC FUNCTION BEFORE STOPPING ALTOGETHER ALONG WITH THE AC CONTROL KNOB MAKING A GRINDING NOISE. AFTER A FEW DAYS I NOTICED A BURNING PLASTIC SMELL AND INVESTIGATED BEHIND THE REMOVABLE CENTER PANEL OF THE DASH AND DISCOVERED THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTED TO THE BACKSIDE OF THE CONTROL KNOB HAD EXPERIENCED MELTING ENOUGH TO DEFORM AND CHAR THE WIRING HARNESS END ALONG WITH THE BACKSIDE OF THE AC CONTROL KNOB. NO SAFETY RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS ISSUE AND A GOOGLE SEARCH NOT ONLY WILL SHOW MANY OTHERS WITH IDENTICAL PROBLEMS BUT ANY PHOTOS APPEAR TO MIRROR THE DAMAGE MINE RECEIVED. HYUNDAI OF AMERICA REACHED OUT AND STATED THAT THEY HAVE NO INTENTION TO LOOK INTO OR COVER THE DAMAGE. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT COULD HAVE NOT ONLY BURNED MY CAR DOWN BUT ALSO POSE A RISK FOR LIFE AND PROPERTY AROUND ME. THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR BUT A FAULT THAT SEEMINGLY IS GOING UNADDRESSED. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11328366

Feb 15, 2020EngineFire

ON FRIDAY, 1/31/19, MY SON AS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND HIS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND OIL INDICATOR LIGHT WENT ON. HE TOOK THE CAR (MY12 HYUNDAI VELOSTER) TO PEP BOYS FOR SERVICE THE FOLLOWING MORNING, SAT. 2/1/20, AND DESCRIBED WHAT HAPPENED. THEY INSPECTED THE CAR AND ADVISED THE OIL SEEMED TO BE BURNING FASTER THAN NORMAL, BUT DID AN OIL CHANGE. THEY ADVISED IF THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN, TO TAKE IT TO HYUNDAI. THEY ALSO ADVISED WE WOULD NEED TO BRING THE CAR IN FOR OIL CHANGES APPROX. EVERY 3K MILES, RATHER THAN 5-7K MILES. NO CONCERN WAS COMMUNICATED TO KEEP DRIVING THE CAR. THE NEXT DAY, SUNDAY, 2/2/20, HE WAS ENTERING THE 605 FWY (SOUTH) AT FIRESTONE BLVD IN NORWALK, CA AND HE HEARD A RATTLING IN THE ENGINE, THEN SAW BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. HE PULLED THE CAR OVER ON THE SHOULDER, THEN SAW FLAMES COMING FROM THE ENGINE. HE EXITED THE VEHICLE SAFELY AND CALLED 911. THE CAR BECAME ENGULFED IN BLAMES AND WAS TOTALED. THE FIRE DEPT PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE CHP OFFICER POINTED OUT THE TRAIL OF OIL ON THE SHOULDER WHERE MY SON HAD DRIVEN AND PULLED OVER. UPON DOING SOME INTERNET RESEARCH AFTER THE FIRE, WE SAW THAT MY13 HYUNDAI VELOSTERS HAD A RECALL FOR AN ISSUE THAT COULD LEAD TO ENGINE FIRES. WE HAVE HAD ALL REGULAR SERVICE DONE ON THE CAR AT PEP BOYS AND HAD NOT HAD ANY PRIOR ENGINE ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI 11309422

Jun 14, 2019Electrical systemBody & structureEngineFire

THE CAR STARTED TO RATTLE AND STARTED TO NOT BE ABLE TO ACCELERATE. I PULLED THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF A SEMI BUSY ROAD AND LET IT SIT FOR A MOMENT WHILE TURNED OFF AND THEN AFTER 30 SECONDS TURNED THE CAR BACK ON. I STARTED TO DRIVE THE CAR AND TURNED DOWN A RESIDENTIAL ROAD (ROTHROCK CIRCLE COPLEY, OH) AND THAT IS WHEN THINGS GOT REALLY BAD.THE CAR WAS IN MOTION AND STARTED TO ACT EVEN STRANGER. IT HAD ISSUES ACCELERATING AGAIN AND THEN WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE LUNGED FORWARD AND THEN WHITE SMOKE AND FLAMES CAME FROM UNDER THE CARS FRONT END. I JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR AFTER TURNING IT OFF, GRABBED MY PERSONAL ITEMS AND RAN OFF INCASE OF AN EXPLOSION. I CALLED 911INSTANTLY AND WHILE ON THE PHONE WITH COPLEY POLICE MY CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. FIREFIGHTERS CAME OUT AND STARTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES BUT IT WAS TOO LATE AND THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS MELTED, BURNED, AND DESTROYED.

NHTSA ODI 11219948

May 24, 20191 injury

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING WHEN THE PANORAMIC SUN/MOON ROOF EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY ON A HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 55 MPH.

NHTSA ODI 11209776

Apr 12, 2019Transmission & drivetrainEngineFire

COMPLETE CAR FIRE. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREE WAY GOING BETWEEN 70 AND 75MPH AND I WENT TO CHANGE LANES AND WHEN I LOOKED BACK IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR ALL I SEE IS SMOKE SO I PULL OFF THE FREEWAY ONTO THE SHOULDER AND I SEE A FLAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SO I POP THE HOOD LATCH AND I OPEN IT AND THERE WAS A FIRE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. SO I SHUT THE HOOD AND GO AND GRAB NECESSITIES OUT FROM THE VEHICLE AND WAIT FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO SHOW UP AND PUT OUT THE CAR. WELL WHEN THEY SHOWED UP, THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO SALVAGE ANY USABLE PART OF THE VEHICLE. AGAIN I WAS ON THE FREEWAY/HIGHWAY TRAVELING BETWEEN 70MPH AND 75 MPH

NHTSA ODI 11195743

Oct 2, 2018Transmission & drivetrainCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI VELOSTER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, BUT THE GEAR DID NOT SHIFT INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND, WHILE PROCEEDING TO EXIT, THE VEHICLE MOVED AND PINNED THE CONTACT UNDER THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE THEN ROLLED BACK OVER THE CONTACT AND STOPPED APPROXIMATELY TWENTY FEET WITHOUT IMPACT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT CALLED AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MISSOULA HYUNDAI (406-549-5178, LOCATED AT 2715 BROOKS ST, MISSOULA, MT 59801) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR TEN DAYS, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT PICKED UP THE VEHICLE AND THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER THREE WEEKS. THE CONTACT RECORDED THE FAILURE AND TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SAME DEALER. A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A GEAR ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO SIGN AN AUTHORIZATION FOR A CASE MANAGER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE EVALUATED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT CALLED BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 32,276.

NHTSA ODI 11132963

Jan 14, 20181 injury

WHILE DRIVING IN THE CENTER LANE ON INTERSTATE DURNING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AT ABOUT 45MPH MY RADIO WAS OFF WINDOWS WERE UP, MY SUNROOF WAS CLOSED AND THE SKYLIGHT COVER WAS IN THE BACK POSITION WHICH I NEVER CLOSE BECAUSE IT GIVES ME MORE HEAD ROOM. I HEAR WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A BOMB GOING OFF AND SHARDS OF GLASS FLYING ALL THROUGHOUT THE CAR, NOTHING HIT THE ROOF, THE SOUND WAS A SOUND OF EXPLOSION. IN A STATE OF SHOCK THINKING I WAS SHOT OR A ROAD SIDE BOMB WENT OFF I PULLED OVER TO GET THE THE GLASS OUT OF MY HAIR, FACE, AND CLEAN MYSELF UP THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE AT THAT POINT DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF GLASS INSIDE THE SEATS AND EXPOSED TO WEATHER. THE EXPLOSION OF THE SUNROOF HAS CAUSE CUTS TO MY FACE BACK AND HANDS. THIS IS UNSAFE AND IS A HUGE RISK TO OTHER MOTORIST AND THE DRIVER AND IT'S PASSENGERS.

NHTSA ODI 11062679

Dec 18, 2017AirbagsCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 HYUNDAI VELOSTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MERGE INTO A LANE AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BLEEDING ON THE FINGERS AND THE FOREHEAD, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,600.

NHTSA ODI 11055235

Oct 14, 2017Fire

MY AC/ HEATER STOPPED BLOWING OUT AIR. I DID MY RESEARCH AFTER DISCOVERING IT WOULD COST UPWARDS OF $1,000 TO REPAIR. I FOUND TONS OF VIDEOS ON YOU TUBE ADDRESSING THIS EXACT PROBLEM. THAT IS HOW I KNEW WHERE TO LOOK. AS YOU CAN SEE THERE IS A MAJOR FLAW IN THE DESIGN OF THIS UNIT THAT POSES IN MY OPINION A MAJOR SAFETY RISK. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE AND NOT SOMETHING OWNERS OF THESE CARS NEED TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR. PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED PICTURES SHOWING THE MELTED PARTS AND FIRE DAMAGE THAT TOOK PLACE IN MY CAR. I DO NOT THINK IT RIGHT OR JUSTIFIED THAT OWNERS OF THESE CARS ARE NOT MADE AWARE OR HAVING IT FIXED BY THE COMPANY.

NHTSA ODI 11033366

Jun 6, 2017Body & structure1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI VELOSTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE LOADING THE GROCERIES INTO THE VEHICLE, THE HATCH-BACK FELL ON THE CONTACT'S BACK. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED AN INJURY THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AT: THE HYUNDAI OF WESTLEY CHAPEL, WESTLEY CHAPEL, FL, WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND THE CONTACT WAS PUT ON HOLD BUT A REPRESENTATIVE DID NOT RETURN TO THE LINE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS ABOUT 55,000.

NHTSA ODI 10993427

May 23, 2016AirbagsCrash1 injury

HYUNDAI VELOSTER 2012 - TRAVELLING IN LEFT LANE OF DIVIDED 4 LANE HIGHWAY AT 65MPH, BRAKED AND SLIGHTLY VEERED TO LEFT SUDDENLY AS VEHICLE IN RIGHT LANE MOVED INTO LEFT LANE IN FRONT AT SLOWER RATE OF SPEED. WITH VERY LITTLE LEFT SHOULDER, VEHICLE WENT OFF THE ROAD INTO THE GRASSY DAMP MEDIAN. DUE TO LOSS OF TRACTION, WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL VEHICLE, HAD CHOICE OF HITTING TREES/CREEK OR CONCRETE BRIDGE SUPPORT. VEHICLE HIT BRIDGE SUPPORT STILL TRAVELING AT 45-65MPH HEAD ON, THEN SWUNG AROUND SO LEFT SIDE OF PASSENGER VEHICLE SCRAPED ON THE BRIDGE SUPPORT FROM FRONT BUMPER TO REAR SEAT. VEHICLE SUFFERED MAJOR DAMAGE TO FRONT END, TORE OFF MIRROR, DOOR HANDLE AND BROKE ALL GLASS ON LEFT SIDE. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ANYWHERE IN THE VEHICLE. DRIVER WAS STRUCK BY AN OBJECT IN VEHICLE CAUSING A SEVERE LACERATION ACROSS EYELID FROM NOSE, UP ACROSS EYEBROW. ABOUT 1.5" LONG, CUT TO BONE. SIDE WINDOW GLASS SHATTERED RESULTING IN SEVERAL PIECES EMBEDDING IN VARIOUS BODY PARTS AND MANY SHARP SLIVERS OF GLASS ALL OVER. HAD AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, PARTICULARLY THE STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG, WE FEEL THAT THE DRIVER MAY HAVE AVOIDED THE INJURY TO THE EYE WHICH WILL REQUIRE RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY TO REPAIR. WIPER WASHER STALK BROKE OFF FROM STEERING WHEEL WITH THE OUTER PORTION COMPLETELY COMING APART WITH A 2-3" PROTRUDING PLASTIC CORE WHICH WE BELIEVE CAUSED THE EYE INJURY DUE TO BLOOD ON THE ITEM. OTHER POSSIBILITY WOULD BE THE REARVIEW MIRROR. IN EITHER CASE WE FEEL THAT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT WOULD HAVE PREVENT FACE FROM CONTACTING EITHER OF THOSE ITEMS.

NHTSA ODI 10870407

Oct 27, 2015AirbagsCrash

ON FRIDAY OCTOBER 23 A DRUNK DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF HIS 2011 CAMARO CROSSED THE MEDIAN ON A CITY STREET AND BARRELED INTO MY SONS 2012 HYUNDAI VELOSTER. WHILE THE CAMARO AIR BAGS INFLATED, OUR VELOSTER DID NOT. ACCORDING TO HYUNDAI DIAGRAM THERE ARE TWO SENSORS IN THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE, NEITHER WORKED. THOUGH MY SON AND HIS PASSENGER WALKED AWAY, I AM CONCERNED THAT THESE SENSORS/AIR BAGS ARE DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO. OUR VEHICLE WAS PUSHED BACK SEVERAL FEET AFTER THE IMPACT AND THEY DID NOT DEPLOY. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THESE VEHICLES PROTECTING LIVES. ONE OF THE REASONS I BOUGHT THIS CAR WAS DUE THE MANY AIRBAGS. I AM DISAPPOINTED AND CONCERNED ABOUT THIS POSSIBLE DEFECT...UPDATED 12/11/15 *BF

NHTSA ODI 10786277

Dec 29, 2014Visibility & wipersBody & structure2 injuries

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 PASSENGER AND I COULD SHAKE OUT THE PIECES OF GLASS FROM OUR HAIR AND CLOTHES. APART FROM SOME SMALL CUTS THERE WERE NO SERIOUS INJURIES. THE ENTIRE INSIDE OF THE CAR IS COVERED IN BITS OF BROKEN GLASS- THANKFULLY WE DIDN'T HAVE ANYONE IN THE BACK SEATS. UPON HAVING THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE DEALER INSPECT THE ROOF, I WAS TOLD TO CONTACT MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND SEE IF I HAVE COVERAGE FOR THE GLASS. WHEN THE SUNROOF RECALL CAME OUT LAST YEAR I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE IN IMMEDIATELY AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS OKAY, SO THIS APPARENTLY ABSOLVES HYUNDAI FROM RESPONSIBILITY WHEN IT FAILS AS MINE DID. WHAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND IS WHY THIS ROOF IS NOT MADE OF LAMINATED GLASS OR SOMEHOW COATED SO THAT IF IT WERE TO SHATTER GLASS WOULDN'T ENTER THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10668719

Nov 26, 2014Visibility & wipersBody & structure1 injury

2012 HYUNDAI VELOSTER WAS RECALLED LAST YEAR FOR A SUNROOF DEFECT IN WHICH THE SUNROOF MAY EXPLODE WITHOUT WARNING. CAR WAS TAKEN TO A HYUNDAI DEALER, WHERE THEY ENDED UP REPLACING THE SUNROOF BECAUSE IT WAS DEFECTIVE. NOVEMBER 25,2014, WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, WHEN SUNROOF BLEW UP, SENDING GLASS FLYING THROUGHOUT THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF CAR. WIFE HAD SMALL CUTS TO FACE AND ARMS, WITH GLASS PIECES THROUGHOUT HER HAIR AND CLOTHES. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10661022

Nov 10, 2014Visibility & wipers1 injury

I WAS DRIVING MY 2012 HYUNDAI VELOSTER ON A PAVED ROAD AT 45 MPH. THE SCREEN FOR THE SUNROOF WAS OPEN BUT THE GLASS WAS CLOSED. ALL OF A SUDDEN GLASS JUST RAINS DOWN ON ME CAUSING SMALL CUTS TO MY ARMS AND FACE, SMALL SHARDS OF GLASS ARE STILL EMBEDDED IN MY CELL PHONE SCREEN PROTECTOR. LUCKILY I WASN'T MORE SERIOUSLY INJURED AND THERE WASN'T ANY VEHICLES AROUND ME BECAUSE THE SUDDEN RUSH OF AIR AND GLASS TO MY FACE CAUSED ME TO SWERVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10653935

Jul 6, 2014BrakesCrash

THE BRAKES ON THE 2012 HYUNDAI VELOSTER WILL WORK FINE ONE MINUTE AND THEN GO TO THE FLOOR SUDDENLY WITH NO BRAKING ACTION. YOU WILL HAVE TO PUMP THE BRAKES TO GET THEM TO WORK. AT ONE POINT, THE BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR AND PUMPING THE BRAKES FAILED TO WORK AND I WENT OVER A CURB IN A PARKING LOT. I TOOK THE CAR INTO REGIONAL HYUNDAI IN THE FIRST PART OF 2014 DUE TO THIS SITUATION BECOMING CONCERNING. THEY KEPT THE CAR FOR SEVERAL DAYS BUT SAID THEY DID NOT KNOW THE REASON FOR THE BRAKE PROBLEM. THEY STATED THEY WOULD CALL THE HYUNDAI ENGINEERS TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE BUT NEVER CALLED ME BACK. IT IS NOW JULY 2014. I STILL HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM HYUNDAI AND THE SITUATION WITH THE BRAKES IS WORSE. I AM TAKING THE CAR BACK INTO REGIONAL HYUNDAI ON THURSDAY, JULY 10, TO TRY, ONCE AGAIN, TO FIND AN ANSWER TO THIS PROBLEM. THE CAR IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WITH THE BRAKE SITUATION AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. *JS

NHTSA ODI 10608441

Older →

Working with the data? Download all 295 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 15, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2012 Hyundai Veloster verdict →