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2020 Hyundai Veloster
Solid pick. The public record on this car is clean for its age. Inspect it, then negotiate with confidence.
23 owner complaints · 1 recalls · data verified July 15, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Why buy?
Very few owner complaints for its age and sales volume.
Complaints are overwhelmingly minor: almost none involve crashes, fires, or injuries.
The math, shown
Full methodology →Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
NHTSA crash-tested this model year but didn’t publish an overall star rating for it.
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 2020 Hyundai Veloster, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Engine (8)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint, a rough guide, not a schedule.
Engine
35%8 complaints · 3 in the last 2 years
“I have a 2020 Hyundai veloster 2.0L and their is a knocking noise coming for the engine for the piston haven’t been properly heated right and when I search the vin up …”
Fuel system
9%2 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“Gas was shooting out of my gas tank cap, strong gasoline smells in and out side the vehicle, popping noise coming from the back from the gas tank expanding so much it …”
Body & structure
9%2 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“During cold temperatures (sub 32F), the driver's side door will not open from the outside. Occasionally the passenger door is affected as well. This required crawling …”
Transmission & drivetrain
9%2 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“In the manual car to get in reverse there is a "lock out" sling that only allows you to go in reverse when you pull up on it. When the manual stick shift goes back to …”
Recalls (1)
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.
Engine · 21V301000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Elantra, 2019-2021 Kona and Veloster vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which could result in engine damage.
Risk: A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Hyundai will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. Owner notification letters were mailed August 24, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.
Before you hand over money
Check the VIN for open recalls
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 2020 Hyundai VELOSTER beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2020? See how every Veloster model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2020 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.