2020 Hyundai Veloster: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 23 owner complaints on record; most reports concern engine; the 2021 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2021
1
recalls
23
owner complaints
0
fire reports
-
typical failure mileage, mi
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Among the quietest Veloster years (#8 of 9 by complaints, age-adjusted)No fire reports
Common problems
Computed from 23 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
Limited data: only 23 complaints on record for this model year - too few for percentage statistics. Bars show raw report counts; read them as individual owner reports, not reliability rates. For a fuller picture, check nearby model years.
Engine (engine mechanics)8 complaints
Structure (body, frame, doors, rust)2 complaints
Wheels (wheels, lug nuts, bearings)1 complaint
Forward Collision Avoidance (automatic emergency braking, sensors)1 complaint
Seats1 complaint
Exterior Lighting (headlights, taillights)1 complaint
“Gas was shooting out of my gas tank cap, strong gasoline smells in and out side the vehicle, popping noise coming from the back from the gas tank expanding so much it pushed up the rear seat. This puts me and others at risk of fire, explosion and toxic exposure. This problem has been reproduced. The vehicle has been inspected by the dealer. A check engine light came on for a evap sensor but the next day it was gone.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Aug 2025
“Glass roof spontaneously shattered. Car was sitting in direct California sun. Nothing touched the roof but heat, the entire panel shattered and the car is undriveable.Thankfully my car was unoccupied at the time. I have heard there had been class action lawsuits in the past regarding this vehicle make and model involving years up to 2018 but models including 2020 like mine have also had complaints reported. Just adding this to the list of complaints filed.”Owner report · Structure · Jun 2025
“The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the piston oil rings, resulting in damages to the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V301000 (Engine). The VIN was included in the recall, but the vehicle was already repaired under the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 90,000.”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2025
Show 7 more owner reports
“I have a 2020 Hyundai veloster 2.0L and their is a knocking noise coming for the engine for the piston haven't been properly heated right and when I search the vin up on here it come up as a different car in the picture”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2025
“While driving my steering wheel will lock up and I'll get an error message for lane keep assist on the dash. I never use lane keep assist so even when it's off it does this. I have to keep turning my car off and back on for my steering wheel to unlock and the error will disappear.”Owner report · Lane Departure · Jun 2024
“The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated while driving 15-20 MPH, the power steering warning light illuminated, and the power steering failed. The contact stated that he was able to drive to his residence by using physical strength to steer the vehicle. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not duplicate the failure unless the warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 17,990.”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2022
“The contact's son owns a 2020 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact's son pulled over and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the contact's family-owned auto repair shop, where the high-pressure fuel pump was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the high-pressure fuel pump needed to be replaced for the second time. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 39,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Sep 2022
“During cold temperatures (sub 32F), the driver's side door will not open from the outside. Occasionally the passenger door is affected as well. This required crawling through the hatch to open the doors from the inside. When the key fob is actuated you can hear and audible click in the area of the door lock, but it can't be opened. Once the weather warms and the car warms up the doors perform normally. This has never occurred during the warmer months.”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2022
“When I was driving and got up to to the front gates, my car stalled. I knew I didn't stall my car myself so I was curious what happened and didn't think much of it so I just turned my car back on. Then the check engine light came on. As I started my car again it would act weird and just start to hesitate kind of. I went to park and as I came back the car would not turn on. It would just keep trying to turn over at really low rpms then shut off. After that it would not turn on what so ever. Hyundai is currently in the process of looking at it.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Aug 2021
“- Lumbar support on driver seat cracked or snapped and no longer is functional what so ever - The seat itself feels sunken and nothing like the passenger seat which does not have lumbar support - Unknown - No inspection of vehicle yet - No prior notifications or signs of failure”Owner report · Seats · Jul 2021
Recalls - 1 campaign
ENGINE21V301000 · Apr 2021
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Elantra, 2019-2021 Kona and Veloster vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which could result in engine damage.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Hyundai will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. Owner notification letters were mailed August 24, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.
How other years compare
Check your exact Veloster by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2020 Hyundai Veloster reliable?
NHTSA has 23 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2020 Hyundai Veloster. The most complained-about area is engine.
Does the 2020 Hyundai Veloster have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning engine. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.