2020 Hyundai Venue Safety Report

The 2020 Hyundai Venue presents a mixed safety picture based on NHTSA data. While it achieved respectable crash test ratings with an Overall 4-star rating, including 5 stars for side impact and 4 stars for frontal and rollover, the vehicle has a notable recall and several concerning complaint patterns. There is one recall (NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V458000) concerning the front seat belt pretensioners, which may explode upon deployment in a crash, projecting metal fragments and potentially causing injury. This recall is particularly critical as several complaints indicate parts for the remedy are unavailable, leaving owners at risk. Complaint data, totaling 40 reports, highlights significant issues beyond the recall. The 'POWER TRAIN' component, including 'ENGINE' and 'ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING', accounts for a substantial portion of complaints, with multiple reports of the vehicle failing to accelerate, lurching, RPM fluctuations, and even crankshaft pulley detachment. One severe incident involved a passenger-side front collision where no collision warning was given, automatic braking failed, and a fire broke out near the floorboard, resulting in 1 fire and 2 injuries out of 4 reported crashes. 'SEAT BELTS' also feature prominently in complaints, not only due to the recall but also reports of seatbelts sliding across the neck for shorter drivers and sensor malfunctions. Other recurring issues include 'UNKNOWN OR OTHER' complaints (6 total) which often describe general vehicle malfunctions, and 'SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC' issues, with reports of spongy pedals and unintended ABS activation. The 'FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE' system is implicated in at least one crash where it failed to engage. The combination of a critical safety recall with unavailable parts, coupled with numerous complaints about powertrain reliability and potential failures in active safety systems, suggests that while the crash structure performs adequately, the vehicle's overall operational safety and component reliability are areas of concern.

Our recommendation: Given the critical seat belt recall with unavailable parts and numerous powertrain reliability complaints, exercise extreme caution; thoroughly investigate recall status and consider an independent pre-purchase inspection focusing on engine and transmission health.