What's Wrong with the 1st Generation (2012–2018) Veloster?

Veloster owners have made 118 complaints about the 2012–2018 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 38th out of 50 Hyundai generations in overall reliability, with real engine and transmission concerns.

Compare With Other Veloster Generations

Common 2012-2018 Hyundai Veloster Problems

Some of the worst issues 1st generation Veloster owners have to deal with.

  1. Blue Link Standard Feature?

    Messages that self-destruct and dastardly extortion – it all sounds like the plot to Mission Impossible, right? But it’s actually the story of Hyundai’s Blue Link systems. Pay up, or it’ll blow up ... or at least shut off.

    Continue reading article "Blue Link Standard Feature?" Superimposed red radiation sign over a Blue Link infotainment screen.

  2. Panoramic Sunroof Explodes

    Hyundai refuses to acknowledge that their sunroofs have been exploding under normal driving conditions, but they’re offering plenty of coverage to owners if (or when) it happens thanks to a 2019 lawsuit settlement.

    Continue reading article "Panoramic Sunroof Explodes" An illustrated interior view of the panoramic sunroof.

What Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

1st Generation (2012–2018) Veloster Key Numbers

  1. 7 model years

    Grouping all models by their year can reveal some baddies.

  2. 118 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  3. 38th in reliability

    Overall reliability rank out of 50 eligible generations.

Recent Lawsuits for 1st Generation Veloster Owners

  • Settlement

    Nicholas Wylie et al, v. Hyundai Motor America

    1. Settlement

      A proposed class of roughly 135,000 Hyundai owners suing over alleged transmission defects got the green light on Monday to settle their claims with the carmaker in a deal that could be worth roughly between $11 million and $22 million.

    2. Case Filed

      A Hyundai dual-clutch transmission (DCT) lawsuit alleges the 7-speed automatic transmissions have defects in the transmission control modules that cause vehicles to stop moving.

  • Guy Coss v. Hyundai Motor America.

    1. Case Filed

      A Hyundai Blue Link lawsuit alleges the automaker failed to inform owners the telematics system will be disabled if inactive for more than one year, and to reactivate the system an owner will allegedly be forced to change hardware at a minimum cost of $500.

Recent 1st Generation (2012–2018) Veloster News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. Knock, knock – there’s a major defect in the 2013 Velostar’s engine management software.

    A defect that manages to find a way to prematurely ignite the air/fuel mixture in 1.6-liter turbo engines. This puts way too much pressure on the cylinders resulting in knocking noises, stalling incidents, and engine fires. The 16,500 recalled vehicles will get the same software update given to 2014 owners, which Hyundai says improved these conditions.

    keep reading article "2013 Veloster Recalled for Engine Management Defect That Can Cause Fires"

  2. Hyundai has proposed a settlement that would offer owners extended coverage in case their sunroofs explode.

    If approved, the settlement would double the existing sunroof warranty, reimburse certain previously-paid expenses, and even offer cash to those that decide to sell their car within the next 90 days.

    Hyundai still won’t admit the sunroof is defective, but they’re sure acting like it is.

    keep reading article "Hyundai Has Offered to Settle an Expoding Sunroof Lawsuit Settlement And It’s Good News for Owners"

  3. Hyundai motion to dismiss a panoramic sunroof lawsuit has been denied.

    The 2015 lawsuit says the sunroof glass can explode without warning. The judge previously threw out some claims concerning unfair profit but allowed fraud claims to continue. Hyundai then asked the judge to whittle down the lawsuit even more by throwing out claims based on unjust enrichment, a request denied by the court.

    Hyundai also argued claims of an owner who said the vehicle was unmerchantable within the warranty period should be tossed, but the judge denied the request.

    Hyundai has had problems with sunroofs dating back to a 2012 investigation for the Veloster.

    keep reading article "Hyundai's Defective Panoramic Sunroof Lawsuit Will Continue in Court"

  5. Hyundai’s motion to dismiss panoramic sunroof lawsuit was denied, at least partially.

    Hyundai filed to dismiss the shattering sunroof lawsuit and the judge agreed to dismiss almost all the lawsuit except claims based on fraud…

    The judge said the plaintiffs can move forward based on claims of fraud and can amend the complaint if they want the judge to reconsider violations of consumer protection laws and unjust enrichment.

    The lawsuit Billy Glenn v. Hyundai Motor America et al. still has life, but it’s up to the plaintiffs now if they want class-action certification.

    keep reading article "Panoramic Sunroof Class-Action Squeaks Past Hyundai’s Motion to Dismiss"

  6. Hyundai is being sued for permanently disabling Blue Link systems if a subscription has been inactive for more than one year.

    The plaintiff claims on or about January 7, 2015, Hyundai notified owners of its Blue Link vehicles whose Blue Link subscriptions had been inactive for more than one year. Hyundai told owners, “If you do not reactivate your Blue Link services by January 28, 2015, your current Blue Link system in your vehicle will be permanently disabled.

    Except, permanent didn’t mean forever if you’re willing to pony up the cash. The Blue Link handbook mentioned that disconnected services could be easily restored for a “nominal reconnection fee.” They just didn’t say what it was.…

    keep reading article "Lawsuit Says Blue Link Decreases the Vehicle’s Value"

  7. **Hy

    ndai has been sued because their sunroofs can explode without being struck by an object. Plaintiff Billy Glenn filed the exploding sunroof lawsuit after the glass in his 2014 Santa Fe Sport exploded just months after purchasing the Hyundai. The sunroof was replaced, but Glenn claims the replacement sunroof also shattered and sent glass into the vehicle.

    This is a Hyundai-only lawsuit, but not a Hyundai-only problem. Glass is heavy, temperamental, and doesn’t bend when you go over potholes. So until automakers stop replacing their roofs with glass, I don't see this problem going away.

    keep reading article "Hyundai Sued Because Their Sunroofs Can Suddenly Make it Rain Glass"

  9. Well, that didn’t take long.

    Earlier this year the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation into shattering sunroofs in the 2012 Veloster. Now Hyundai has issued a recall for that exact problem.

    According to official documents, Hyundai believes the sunroof glass may have been damaged during mechanical installation at the factory.  Any damage to the glass can cause it to fracture and fail under pressure.…

    keep reading article "A Shattered Sunroof Recall Announced for 2012 Veloster Owners"

  10. 2012 Veloster owners should keep an eye out for a possible sunroof recall.

    Just keep that eye pointed down, or risk getting some glass in it. The Office of Defects Investigation, a part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, is taking a close look at the 2012 Hyundai Veloster after receiving 11 complaints that the sunroof exploded.…

    keep reading article "NHTSA Wants to Know Why Veloster Sunroofs Keep Shattering"