Home · 2015 · Hyundai

2015 Hyundai Veloster

Buyable, but go in with open eyes: this car has specific known issues to check before money changes hands.

Recalls, complaint breakdown & inspection checklist, all in a shareable PDF

136 owner complaints · 2 recalls · data verified July 15, 2026 · source: NHTSA

Cautionwillitcar.com

Why caution?

Has a "park it / park outside" recall, the most serious kind. Verify the fix was done before buying.

Engine problems dominate (56% of complaints, typically reported near 39k miles).

Very few owner complaints for its age and sales volume.

The math, shown

Full methodology →
Complaint volume (40%)90
Severity (30%)82
Recall load (20%)82
Trend (10%)64

Complaints filed per year

Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.

20152026 YTD

How it crashes

NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.

5/5 overall

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating · 2015 Hyundai VELOSTER 3 C FWD

Front crash
Side crash
Rollover

Rollover risk in a single-vehicle crash: 11%

Stability control: StandardForward collision warning: NoLane departure warning: No

2 open NHTSA defect investigations on file, separate from the recalls above.

NHTSA crash-test photo, 2015 Hyundai VELOSTER 3 C FWD

Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.

The road ahead

What breaks on a 2015 Hyundai Veloster, plotted where owners report it happening.

030k mi60k mi90k mi120k miEngine~39k mi · 76 reports

Also reported (mileage varies): Electrical system (25) · Transmission & drivetrain (18) · Brakes (11) · Visibility & wipers (7)

Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint, a rough guide, not a schedule.

Engine

56%

76 complaints · typically near 39k mi · 13 in the last 2 years

I took my car to Gilroy Hyundai November 11, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. because my engine was not running normal, it shook lightly while driving at an incline and the engine l…

Electrical system

18%

25 complaints · 5 in the last 2 years

The climate control switch melted. Available for inspection I was getting smoked out by plastic fumes. Researched this issues with all data No No lights.

Transmission & drivetrain

13%

18 complaints · 3 in the last 2 years

I HAVE A RECALL ON THE HYUNDAI 2015 VELOSTER FOR FOUR YEARS SINCE THE LAWSUIT THAT YOU TOLD HYUNDAI CORP TO PUT LIFETIME WARRANTY ON DEFECTIVE CARS THGEY HAVE DONE NOT…

Brakes

8%

11 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years

ABS, EPS, check engine light appeared on dashboard then car’s steering wheel stiffed and car lost power. Vehicle’s hood smells burnt and has fumes come out after drivi…

Recalls (2)

Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.

Park itService Brakes, Hydraulic · 23V651000

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. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

Risk: 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.

Engine · 20V746000

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Veloster, 2012 Santa Fe, 2011-2013 Sonata Hybrid, and 2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which over time can result in engine damage.

Risk: A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine. If bearing damage is found, the engine will be replaced. Dealers will also install a software update containing a new Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS). Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 198.

Before you hand over money

Verify the recall work was done

NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.

Free NHTSA VIN check

Get a pre-purchase inspection

A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2015 Hyundai VELOSTER beats every score on the internet, including ours.

What to ask for

Not set on the 2015? See how every Veloster model year scores →

Cross-shopping? Compare the 2015 Hyundai Veloster against another car →

What owners say

Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.

The fine print: this verdict is computed from public NHTSA complaint and recall records for the 2015 Hyundai Veloster as a model, not for any individual car. A well-maintained example of an “Avoid” can outlast a neglected “Buy”. Informational only, so always get a professional pre-purchase inspection.