2012 Hyundai Veloster: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
296 NHTSA owner complaints · 6 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Editor's note
Avoid the 2012 and 2013 Hyundai Veloster, which have 295 and 421 complaints and scores of 43 and 39, and treat the 2016 car (221 complaints, score 54) with caution. Buy a 2014 or 2015 car, which score 86 and 76, or a 2017, 2019 or 2020 car, scoring 94, 91 and 94 on small counts. Read the full note on the model page. 2012 specifically: this is one of the years the note above says to approach with care — 296 complaints on record, verdict AVOID.
Read the guide
Used Kia Forte and Hyundai Veloster: the years to avoid, including 2012 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-16.
Owner complaints: 296 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 21.14
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated that while driving 37 - 40 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle made knocking sounds. Additionally, while parking the vehicle, there was a fuel odor and smoke coming from the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed by a mobile independent mechanic, who determined that the vehicle needed an oil …
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 th…
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the local dealer for an unknown recall repair. Upon retrieving the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The reverse and drive gears were inoperable. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where an unknown diagnosis was provided. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact stated that the …
Recalls: 6 campaigns (4 severe)
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 20V393000 | Equipment:Electrical | Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Hyundai Elantra and Sonata Hybrid, 2012 Accent and Veloster vehicles. The 12V accessory socket outlet may have been over-tightened during installation, possibly disabling the thermal fuse and allowing the outlet to overheat with prolonged use, such as by using the Tire Mobility Kit air… |
| 12V568000 | Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly | Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2012 Veloster vehicles manufactured from November 1, 2011, through April 17, 2012 and equipped with panoramic sunroofs. The panoramic sunroof assembly may been weakened during installation at the factory. |
| 12V567000 | Parking Brake:Conventional:Mechanical:Linkage And Cable | Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2012 Veloster vehicles manufactured from July 2, 2011, through February 27, 2012 and equipped with manual transmissions. Moisture and road grime may cause the parking brake components to bind. |
| 13V051000 | Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly | Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2012 Veloster vehicles manufactured from July 4, 2011, through October 31, 2011 and equipped with panoramic sunroofs. The panoramic sunroof assembly may have been weakened during installation at the factory. |
| 23V651000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module | 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… |
| 23V132000 | Electrical System | Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Veloster vehicles. High conductive liquid may leak into the Reverse Park Aid Sensor (RPAS), which can result in an electrical short circuit. |
What it costs to buy — and what owning it really takes
Class-level estimates, priced as a compact car of its model year, re-priced to your country. Not a quote, not a valuation of one specific car — condition, mileage and options move it. How these are computed.
What it costs to run
EPA combined 30 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $2,150
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
What this car's problems cost to fix
Ranked by the components owners of this exact model year actually complain about. Each figure is flat-rate labour hours x the local shop rate plus a parts band — an estimate of what this kind of failure costs, not a quote, and not a prediction that this car will need it. Formula.
- Engine61 complaints · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,040–$2,220
- Visibility55 complaints · typical job: Glass, wiper or defogger repair (2.5 h labour + parts)$490–$1,200
- Steering42 complaints · typical job: Electric power-steering rack or column motor replacement (5.0 h labour + parts)$1,020–$2,500
- Unknown Or Other39 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
- Electrical System38 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
- Power Train31 complaints · typical job: Transmission service or clutch-pack repair (7.0 h labour + parts)$1,290–$4,040
Other Hyundai Veloster years
Hyundai Veloster years to avoid, and the best years to buy →
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2012 Hyundai Veloster?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Engine (61 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2012 Hyundai Veloster a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is AVOID with a reliability score of 43/100, computed from 296 NHTSA complaints and 6 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2012 Hyundai Veloster's most common problem?
61 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2012 Hyundai Veloster sit in the Engine group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is cooling-system or timing-drive repair: about 6.0 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $1,040–$2,220 at a US independent shop and re-priced to your country at the top of the page. It is an estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote for this car.
What does a 2012 Hyundai Veloster cost to run per year?
About $4,971 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $24,855 over five years, before purchase price, insurance and depreciation. Figures come from available EPA fuel-economy data and industry maintenance averages, and are re-priced to your country.
Does the 2012 Hyundai Veloster have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for the 2012 Hyundai Veloster, 4 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 02/07/2020. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Compare with
Other compacts of about the same age.
What will a 2012 Hyundai Veloster really cost YOU per year?
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorData sources
Complaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-10-04.
Strong evidence — 296 complaints, 6 recalls on record
- 296 NHTSA complaints on record (21.1/yr of exposure) — worse than a typical year of this model (9.8/yr)
- 6 recall campaigns, 4 touching safety-critical systems