Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Hyundai Veloster owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
In Dec of last year my cars dash lights started flashing no matter which gear I tried the gear would flash on the dash,when I called my extended warranty "car shield ",they recommended that I take it to a repair shop in nearby city and have a diagnostic test performed. I did so,in which after testing they said it was something on side of transmission and they weren't equipped to perform the repairs and needed to be taken to dealership instead. I picked up the vehicle and same issue was present of course, so I had it towed to a dealership and then was contacted by them that they could not do a diagnostic test until the battery was replaced because it was not starting, so I brought a battery and put it on in the place of my old one.I made sure that the vehicle was going to start before leaving and it did with no problem, so I turned it off and was contacted by the dealership saying that …
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated that while shifting into gear, the vehicle failed to move. Upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle was fluttering. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the repair parts were on backorder. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V132000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
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 transmission was inoperable, the starter, the engine light were blinking, and the vehicle was slow to move. There was smoke coming from the vehicle. There was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to AutoZone, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure, glow relay short circuit, and ABS failure. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 128,220.
The car was in Hyundai dealership for 35 days to have a recalls fixed - still showing as no remedy for ABS systems and they said they fixed it ? they had me pick up the car? And but the recall still shows no remedy ? I'm not sure it's fixed ? and 2 weeks later the transmission goes out while I'm driving again and lose control over the vehicle and stuck on side of road had And Hyundai dealership proceeded to only be concerned on who's paying for the diagnosis who has been the one fixing the vehicle and I have an extended warranty with Car Max. Car max sold me a car that had rusted brakes and brake lines and several recalls and now the transmission went out . I have expressed to Hyundai and Carmax - The car is not safe .
I have issues with past recalls, but they are not showing up in this list. I had a Body Throttle recall and 5 minutes after it was fixed it broke down and then again a week after and a month after altogether until the body throttle had to be replaced. I had the knock sensor recall done and now it went off code P-1326 is showing with a check engine light and it only drives 62mph. I mean the engine is bad and may catch on fire, and need to be replaced. Yes, the dealer knows and is waiting for my car to be put on the engine replacement list, which has been over 4 months now. There is a lawsuit to change it but Hyundai is not doing it.
Car was taken to the dealership for two active recalls. The dealership began with 966 Engine Monitoring Logic Recall. An error code was received after the computer was updated during the Recall. The display panel now displays all gears as E, and now when the dealership drives it the car has a stall. The dealership states the transmission must be replaced. From my understanding it all is related to software. It is still with the dealership, Hyundai is refusing to cover this since the car is out of warranty. This defect is directly from the recall.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Veloster. While the vehicle was in park, the contact started the vehicle, but the gear did not shift into drive or reverse. Also, the check engine indicator illuminated. The contact turned the vehicle off and, while proceeding to exit, the vehicle moved and pinned the contact under the door. The vehicle then rolled back over the contact and stopped approximately twenty feet without impact. The contact sustained injuries that did not require medical attention. A police report was not filed. The contact called and took the vehicle to missoula Hyundai [phone], located at 2715 brooks st, missoula, mt 59801) where the technician kept the vehicle for ten days, but was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact picked up the vehicle and the failure recurred after three weeks. The contact recorded the failure and took the vehicle back to the same dealer. …
Complete car fire. I was driving on the free way going between 70 and 75mph and I went to change lanes and when I looked back in the rearview mirror all I see is smoke so I pull off the freeway onto the shoulder and I see a flame from under the hood. So I pop the hood latch and I open it and there was a fire coming from the engine compartment. So I shut the hood and go and grab necessities out from the vehicle and wait for the fire department to show up and put out the car. Well when they showed up, they were not able to salvage any usable part of the vehicle. Again I was on the freeway/highway traveling between 70mph and 75 MPH
Hyundai/NHTSA has a recall for 2015-2016 Veloster 1.6 engines for connecting rod bearing failures, an issue that has been ongoing and known for years. The recall needs to be extended to 2011-2018 1.6l gdi motors used in Hyundai and Kia vehicles, which all have issues with rod bearing failures. The rod bearing is going out on my Veloster that I recently purchased and Hyundai will not honor recall for the motor in the vehicle for the same issue going on on all model years. I do have a video of the running engine with the rod bearing noise but it exceeds the file limit size. The link is the youtube video I uploaded. Https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0mphrsogh8&feature=youtu.be&ab_channel=brianbundridge
Transmission complaints in other Veloster years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2012 Hyundai Veloster?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2012 Hyundai Veloster, 10% of the model year's 296 complaints. The component named most often is manual transmission (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Hyundai Veloster transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2012 Hyundai Veloster, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2012 Hyundai Veloster transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 39% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 2 fires and 2 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.