2016 Hyundai Veloster Safety Report

2016 Hyundai Veloster Safety Report

213Complaints
1Recalls
★★★★★Safety Rating
55/100Reliability Score
14Crash Reports
4Fire Reports
10Injuries
Most reported components: Engine (89)Unknown Or Other (17)Power Train (14)Power Train,Engine (10)Electrical System (8)Air Bags (7)Engine And Engine Cooling (6)Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System (5)Power Train,Vehicle Speed Control,Engine (4)Service Brakes (4)

Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2016 Hyundai Veloster

This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2016 Hyundai Veloster. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.

2016 Hyundai Veloster Safety Signal Summary
SignalValueWhat to inspect next
Recall burdenModerate (1)Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below.
Owner complaintsHigh (213)Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates.
Crash and fire reports18Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item.
Primary component hubEngineCompare engine issues across vehicles.
Cleaner nearby model year2022Compare against the 2022 Hyundai Veloster with 9 complaints and 0 recalls.
Riskier nearby model year2015Check the 2015 Hyundai Veloster before buying across this generation.

Hyundai Veloster Year-by-Year Comparison

The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Hyundai Veloster years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.

Nearby Hyundai Veloster Model Years
Model YearComplaintsRecallsUse case
2017 Hyundai Veloster 47 0 Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative.
2015 Hyundai Veloster 132 2 Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative.
2019 Hyundai Veloster 41 2 Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative.
2020 Hyundai Veloster 23 1 Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative.
2021 Hyundai Veloster 11 1 Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative.
2022 Hyundai Veloster 9 0 Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative.

2016 Hyundai Veloster Complaint Theme Map

Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2016 Hyundai Veloster, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.

Engine

89 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Engine issues Hyundai only

Unknown Or Other

17 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Unknown Or Other issues Hyundai only

Power Train

14 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Power Train issues Hyundai only

Power Train,Engine

10 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Power Train,Engine issues Hyundai only

Electrical System

8 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Electrical System issues Hyundai only

Air Bags

7 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Air Bags issues Hyundai only

AI Safety Analysis for the 2016 Hyundai Veloster

The 2016 HYUNDAI VELOSTER has accumulated 213 complaints and 1 recalls in the NHTSA database. It received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Among the complaints, 14 involved crashes and 4 involved fires. There have been 10 reported injuries and 0 reported deaths. The most frequently reported problem areas are engine (89 complaints), unknown or other (17 complaints), power train (14 complaints). Engine and power train issues are common, with reports of sudden loss of power and engine light flashing. There have been recalls related to engine and rod bearing defects. Electrical system failures, including climate control and airbag malfunctions, have been reported. These issues can lead to unsafe driving conditions. Key known issues to be aware of include Engine and Rod Bearing Defect, Electrical System Malfunctions. Be cautious of engine and electrical system issues, as they can lead to sudden loss of power and safety risks. Consider a thorough inspection before purchasing.

Reliability Score

The 2016 Hyundai Veloster receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.

NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2016 Hyundai Veloster

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.

Overall
★★★★★
5/5
Frontal Crash
★★★★☆
4/5
Side Crash
★★★★★
5/5
Rollover
★★★★☆
4/5

Known Issues for the 2016 Hyundai Veloster

The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2016 Hyundai Veloster:

IssueSeverityFrequencyTypical Mileage
Engine And Rod Bearing Defect
Hyundai has issued recalls for 2015-2016 Veloster models due to potential rod bearing and crankshaft damage, which can lead to sudden loss of power and engine failure.
High Common 30k-60k miles
Electrical System Malfunctions
Reports indicate that climate control and airbag systems can fail due to wiring defects, posing a risk to driver and passenger safety.
Medium Common 10k-30k miles

Common Problems Reported by Owners

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2016 Hyundai Veloster:

Engine 30% of complaints

Engine issues are the most common problem, with reports of sudden loss of power and engine light flashing.

Electrical System 20% of complaints

Issues with the climate control and airbag systems have been reported, affecting driver and passenger safety.

Power Train 15% of complaints

Power train issues, including engine and fuel/propulsion system problems, have been reported.

Air Bags 10% of complaints

Air bag malfunctions have been reported, which can be dangerous in the event of a collision.

Recall Details for the 2016 Hyundai Veloster

The following 1 recall has been issued for the 2016 Hyundai Veloster by NHTSA:

Engine
Campaign #20V746000 01/12/2020

Summary: 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.

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

Remedy: 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...

Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America

NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2016 Hyundai Veloster

Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2016 Hyundai Veloster with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1 complaint involved crashes. 1 involved fires. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.

Crash Reports: 1 Fire Reports: 1 Injury/Fatality Reports: 1
Engine
03/16/2026

I was driving on 8 east freeway when all of a sudden my car lost complete power. Engine light flashing, and couldn't pick up any speed. The truck in back of me almost hit me cause my car wouldn't go. Prior to this incident, my car was and has been working perfectly. . My mom had it towed back home and got a mechanic to check the code and it gave a P1326 code which is exact code for a previous re...

ODI #11724579
Engine
Crash 1 Injured 03/16/2026

TRAUMATIC CRITICAL FAILURE At [XXX] (XXX), in p/u spot, put car in P, got out, reached in to grab wallet when car lunged into R, as if being driven. Ran over & drug me until it hit another car to stop it. serious pain in L ribs (previously broken & healed 5 yrs prior), felt like sternum re-broken from accident prior year, broken & healed. Back pain. Onlookers horrified & called 911. Taken by amb...

ODI #11724524
Engine
03/12/2026

When changing vehicle oil it has been noticed that there is contaminants appearing to be metal bits/glittery could possibly be rod bearing material. Also have noticed fluctuating idle

ODI #11723898
Engine
03/02/2026

I was instructed by Hyundai USA to tow my Veloster to West Palm Beach Hyundai dealership specifically for the rod bearing diagnostic after I reported huge amount of smoke coming from the engine, engine oil leak, failed thermostat, and failed water pump, all while I was driving to work. I have repeatedly asked for Hyundai USA to send me a copy of the technician's notes, oil pressure test results...

ODI #11721436
Engine
01/12/2026

As I was driving to work one day my 2016 Veloster suddenly lost power on the expressway at expressway speeds. Now that in itself is very dangerous seeing as how there were big rigs around me. Luckily I managed to make it off of the expressway traveling slower than I turtle.i was almost rear ended on various occasions. I parked right away and left to work. I came back later that day and cranked her...

ODI #11710343
Electrical System
01/07/2026

The climate control knob and AC system failed due to an apparent wiring defect. This is a known issue affecting hundreds or thousands of Hyundai Veloster owners. The failure causes loss of climate control and creates a safety issue due to a lack of defrosting and cabin airflow, as well as electrical fires. I have spent thousands of dollars trying to get this fixed, and mechanics are turning me aw...

ODI #11709321
Engine
12/10/2025

On March 2024, I had my veloster towed to a certified Hyundai service dealer because it suddenly began losing power, the oil light came on, the engine light flickered, and it began making a whining noise, and then the engine died and wouldn’t crank again. It took them weeks to diagnose it, and they told me the turbo was out in it, and quoted me an absurd amount to replace it. I had the turbo rep...

ODI #11704302
Engine And Engine Cooling
12/09/2025

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Veloster. While the contact’s wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly lost power, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle then stalled at a stoplight. The vehicle was restarted and immediately driven to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the engine compression was abnorm...

ODI #11703931
Power Train,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System
12/09/2025

While driving my 2016 Hyundai Veloster (VIN: [XXX] ) on the highway, the vehicle suddenly lost acceleration. I went from 60 mph down to 20 mph with no throttle response, and the car only continued moving briefly from momentum. I was forced to stop in unsafe highway conditions and had the vehicle towed home. Prior to this complete failure, the car had recurring transmission/drive issues: it would s...

ODI #11703913
Power Train
11/25/2025

King Hyundai hung up/refused free Recall 198 inspection despite confirmed defect (rod bearing/crank damage). VIN [XXX] . Case #1824300. Safety risk—stall/fire. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

ODI #11701492
Engine
10/20/2025

My vehicle has been burning through oil for 2 years now. It started with me having to get oil changes every 3 months, then 2, then 1, now I am forced to go get oil top offs every 2-3 weeks or the check oil light comes on and car drives very rough. I have been reaching out and opening cases with Hyundai and working with my local dealer for a year now and still nothing is being resolved. I need my e...

ODI #11694568
Air Bags
10/14/2025

Greetings, I went in for an oil change and was notified that my car airbags did not work and/or have not worked for an indeterminant time. The dealership ordered a part which still has not arrived. It’s been nearly 3 weeks, and I am unable to collect my car unless I pay $2,000. I’ve been paying out of pocket for a rental during that time, and as a college student have missed some classes. Currentl...

ODI #11693489
Engine
10/08/2025

I am going to answer each point one by one for clarity. 1.) Mass oil consumption from bad piston rings, and yes it is available. 2.) I was driving after work one night and my oil pressure light was blinking red. Needed to immedelty pull to the side and have someone get me oil to top off. This was when I first found out about this issue. 3.) Yes as it is a constant problem and I've had two diffe...

ODI #11692198
Engine
09/15/2025

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated that after completing a routine oil change, the contact discovered that while starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V746000 (Engine). The contact had an independent mechanic i...

ODI #11687300
Engine
09/11/2025

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment, and the vehicle failed to exceed 40 MPH, prompting the contact to discontinue driving the vehicle. The check engine and low oil pressure warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed t...

ODI #11686722
Engine
08/28/2025

While driving home one late night, the engine completely locked up while driving causing the vehicle to come to a halt and left me stranded in the road. Got it off the road and eventually towed home where it was later inspected and found the engine bone dry of oil. There were no signs or indications there were any issues with oil leaking, etc. After much research, it's a commonly known issue with ...

ODI #11683783
Engine
08/17/2025

The reason I am submitting this form is because my 2016 Veloster Turbo has an open recall out for premature wear in the bottom end (bearings and rods) and my car has been experiencing the same problems. I have had the highest rated shop in my area to look at the wear directly and it is clear this is the problem with the engine. Despite this all attempts to contact dealers and the manufacture have ...

ODI #11681190
Engine
07/11/2025

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle hesitated to respond while depressing the accelerator pedal, failed to exceed 45 MPH and made an abnormal knocking sound. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who referred the contact to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where ...

ODI #11672728
Visibility
06/24/2025

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the sunroof glass shattered. The contact was unaware of what caused the glass to shatter. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,900.

ODI #11669039
Power Train,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System
06/04/2025

I am the second owner of a 2016 Hyundai Veloster Base, purchased used at approximately 19,976 miles. Since then, the vehicle has experienced multiple major powertrain-related failures. At 49,196 miles, the first catalytic converter failed and was replaced. Later, both the engine and second catalytic converter were replaced by Kearny Mesa Hyundai, a certified Hyundai dealership in San Diego, CA. W...

ODI #11664980

Showing 20 of 213 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.

NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2016 Hyundai Veloster

NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.

Engine Fires
NHTSA EA21003 Closed Recall 23V877

Component: Engine

Opened 2021-12-22 · Closed 2024-02-05

On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles.  During the PE investigations, Hyundai and Kia issued several recalls to address vehicle fires, including those due to engine failures involving various engine types.  The remedies for the engine failur...

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2016 Hyundai Veloster

Has the 2016 HYUNDAI VELOSTER been recalled?

Yes, the 2016 HYUNDAI VELOSTER has 1 recall on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.

How many complaints does the 2016 HYUNDAI VELOSTER have?

The 2016 HYUNDAI VELOSTER has 213 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 14 involved crashes. 10 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.

What is the safety rating for the 2016 HYUNDAI VELOSTER?

The 2016 HYUNDAI VELOSTER received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.

What are the most common problems with the 2016 HYUNDAI VELOSTER?

The most commonly reported problems with the 2016 HYUNDAI VELOSTER involve engine (89 complaints), unknown or other (17 complaints), power train (14 complaints). Other affected components include power train,engine, electrical system, air bags.

How many crash reports does the 2016 HYUNDAI VELOSTER have?

There are 14 crash reports associated with the 2016 HYUNDAI VELOSTER out of 213 total complaints (6.6% of complaints involved crashes).

How many fire reports does the 2016 HYUNDAI VELOSTER have?

There are 4 fire reports for the 2016 HYUNDAI VELOSTER out of 213 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.

Are there any deaths reported for the 2016 HYUNDAI VELOSTER?

No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 HYUNDAI VELOSTER.

How many injuries are reported for the 2016 HYUNDAI VELOSTER?

10 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 HYUNDAI VELOSTER. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.

Should I buy a 2016 HYUNDAI VELOSTER?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2016 HYUNDAI VELOSTER is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 213 complaints, 1 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.

What components fail most on the 2016 HYUNDAI VELOSTER?

The components with the most failures on the 2016 HYUNDAI VELOSTER are: 1. ENGINE (89 complaints), 2. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (17 complaints), 3. POWER TRAIN (14 complaints), 4. POWER TRAIN,ENGINE (10 complaints), 5. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (8 complaints). ENGINE is the single most-reported problem area with 89 complaints.

What should I know before buying a 2016 HYUNDAI VELOSTER?

Be cautious of engine and electrical system issues, as they can lead to sudden loss of power and safety risks. Consider a thorough inspection before purchasing. The 2016 HYUNDAI VELOSTER has 213 NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).

How reliable is the 2016 HYUNDAI VELOSTER?

The 2016 HYUNDAI VELOSTER receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 213 owner complaints, 1 recalls, and 18 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Engine and Rod Bearing Defect and Electrical System Malfunctions.

What are the known issues with the 2016 HYUNDAI VELOSTER?

Known issues with the 2016 HYUNDAI VELOSTER include: Engine and Rod Bearing Defect, Electrical System Malfunctions. These are based on patterns found across 213 NHTSA complaints. 1 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.

Are there any recalls for the 2016 Hyundai Veloster?

Yes, Hyundai has issued recalls for 2015-2016 Veloster models due to potential rod bearing and crankshaft damage.

What are the common electrical system issues in the 2016 Hyundai Veloster?

Climate control and airbag system failures have been reported, which can lead to unsafe driving conditions.

Can engine issues in the 2016 Hyundai Veloster lead to sudden loss of power?

Yes, there have been reports of sudden loss of power and engine light flashing due to engine and power train issues.

Buyer Advice

Our recommendation: Be cautious of engine and electrical system issues, as they can lead to sudden loss of power and safety risks. Consider a thorough inspection before purchasing.

NHTSA Data Summary for 2016 Hyundai Veloster

This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2016 Hyundai Veloster. The data includes 213 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 1 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 14 reported crashes, 4 fire incidents, 10 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.

The NHTSA has assigned the 2016 Hyundai Veloster an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.

All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.

Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.

Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.

Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16