The Hyundai Veloster is a 2-door hatchback sports coupe designed to offer you everything you’d expect from a Hyundai, but in a smaller form factor that can also be really fun to drive. The Veloster was first released back in 2011 and was in continuous production until 2022. The Veloster was discontinued because the SUV/Crossover era began.
When it comes to reliability, the Veloster seems to be a really dependable car as far as most reliability surveys and charts are concerned. In this article, we are going to discuss the common problems with Hyundai Veloster so we can offer you a broader understanding of what it takes to own the Veloster and how to take care of it.
The most common Veloster issues are associated with the engine, sudden loss of power, pinging/knocking noises, issues with the electricals, and issues with the equipment. It’s worth mentioning that some of these can indeed be really serious and cause an abundance of issues that can cost a lot of money to fix.
All in all, the Veloster is a really good car and it should be able to last a long time, but that is only possible if you take proper care of it. If you are interested in buying one used, be sure to do a pre-purchase inspection as that is going to save you a lot of trouble in the long run.
Hyundai Veloster – Engine issues
The most serious common engine issue with the Veloster is associated with the engine connecting rod that can fail and result in really expensive repair bills. The connecting rods are essential for proper engine performance without them an engine simply can’t produce any torque. This means that they need to be able to withstand all the forces associated with the pistons going up and down continuously.
It’s worth mentioning that most drivers that drive the Veloster in a normal manner are not going to experience these issues as these are mostly reserved for those who enjoy pushing their cars. Given the fact that the Veloster is a performance car and is used for spirited driving, it is a bit of a shame that the tinsel strength isn’t able to withstand the stresses associated with that.
Hyundai Veloster – Sudden loss of power
It seems like the Veloster is also prone to sudden loss of power in a wide variety of situations. Many owners have complained that the car lost all power without any apparent reason and that Hyundai wasn’t at all helpful with that. One owner said that Hyundai deems that to be normal and that the car was only misfiring.
To make matters worse, this issue is most prevalent with lower mileage cars and some owners said that there is absolutely no other way of fixing this without replacing the entire engine which can cost upwards of $3,500 without including labor costs.
Hyundai Veloster – Pinging/knocking sounds
The third problem on this list is rather similar to the previous ones in three different ways. For one, it is also associated with the car’s powertrain and is also prevalent on cars with not too many miles on the clock. Thirdly, Hyundai is also keeping quiet about this issue in most cases, even for cars that are still under warranty.
These pinging and knocking noises tend to be accompanied by black smoke coming out the exhaust and potentially even a check engine light. One owner stated that Hyundai told him a new transmission was necessary, but that didn’t solve these issues for good.
Hyundai Veloster – Electrical issues
Hyundai models are known to experience various electrical issues as well and the Veloster is no different. The most common electrical issues with the Hyundai Veloster are associated with the car’s lighting system and the Blue Link infotainment system.
It seems like many people absolutely hate Hyundai’s infotainment system and the way Hyundai requires you to pay additional fees in order to unlock certain functions. The system is so badly designed that you need to pay a few hundred dollars and replace a hardware component just to unlock certain features, and you need to do that every time you want something more.
Hyundai Veloster – Equipment issues
The Veloster experiences equipment-related issues as well, most of which are related to the car’s interior trim pieces falling off or suffering from discoloration. The sunroof is prone to exploding on many Hyundai models, and this even resulted in a huge class-action lawsuit against Hyundai where Hyundai was forced to compensate for any potential damages that arise from the sunroof.
FAQ Section
Should I buy a Hyundai Veloster?
If you are interested in a 2-door sporty hatchback that does not cost too much money, you should definitely consider buying the Veloster. The Veloster is a Hyundai which means that it is going to work all the time and that the car is not going to ask from you anything more than any other Hyundai.
However, if you are a performance car fan, chances are that you are going to deem the Veloster as lacking power. Moreover, the Veloster is a Hyundai which means that it isn’t luxurious at all. It does come with lots of equipment, but the bottom line is that the Veloster is just an economy-level car.
Why did Hyundai discontinue the Veloster?
With the introduction of the Hyundai Elantra and the Hyundai Kona, the Veloster was left in a bit of a stalemate. The sales were not increasing and similar Hyundai models like the Kona and the Elantra were becoming more and more popular.
If you combine that with the fact that SUVs and crossovers are now the most popular cars on the planet, it is rather obvious why the Veloster had to go.
Which cars rival the Hyundai Veloster?
Some owners believe that the Veloster is in a league of its own, but it does compete with other cars. The most well-known Hyundai Veloster rivals are the Toyota Corolla hatchback, Honda Civic hatchback, Mazda 3 hatchback, and the Mini Cooper.