Is the 2016 Hyundai VELOSTER reliable?

The 2016 Hyundai VELOSTER has 299 complaints filed with NHTSA (2.6x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Hyundai VELOSTER?

Top problems: ENGINE (140 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (43 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (31 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Hyundai VELOSTER?

Yes, there are 1 recall(s): ENGINE. Contact any Hyundai dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Hyundai VELOSTER?

The 2016 Hyundai VELOSTER gets 30 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1600. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2016 Hyundai VELOSTER?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 Hyundai VELOSTER is approximately $1,390/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2016 Hyundai VELOSTER

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Hyundai VELOSTER has 299 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.6x the segment average of 114. The most common issue is engine problems (47% of all complaints), specifically: this brand new car breaks down on my teenager. it has done so on me as well. had it into the dealer and auto shops and they cnt find anything wrong. this car lea ves my kid stranded in the middle of nowhere. not safe. goes into limp mode and stalls.. There is 1 recall issued for this model year. ⚠️ 5 fire reports filed.

5 fire reports 21 crash reports 12 injuries

299

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

2.6x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

140 complaints

47%

• THIS BRAND NEW CAR BREAKS DOWN ON MY TEENAGER. IT HAS DONE SO ON ME AS WELL. HAD IT INTO THE DEALER AND AUTO SHOPS AND THEY CNT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THIS CAR LEA VES MY KID STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. NOT SAFE. GOES INTO LIMP MODE AND STALLS.
• ACCELERATING BY ITSELF, LUNGING IN STOP/GO TRAFFIC.MOTOR REVS INTO PASSING GEAR ALL THE WAY TO 6500 RPM .BUT STAYS IN THE CURRENT SPEED, AND SOMETIMES WILL HOLD AT CERTAIN RPM EVEN IF NOT ON GAS , VERY LAGGY IN REV I FEEL I'M DRIVING OLDER CAR WITH MESSED UP TRANSMISSION
• CAR SOMETIMES ACCELERATES BY ITSELF EVEN WHEN OFF THE GAS AND ON THE BRAKES. LUNGES IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. PASSING GEAR SOMETIMES REVS UP TO 6500RPM'S BUT STAYS IN THE CURRENT SPEED. SOMETIMES CAR STAYS AT A CERTAIN RPM EVEN IF NOT ON THE GAS AND WONT SLOW DOWN. BAD LAG AND TERRIBLE DEAD SPOTS

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 3 fire reports💥 7 crashes

“THIS BRAND NEW CAR BREAKS DOWN ON MY TEENAGER. IT HAS DONE SO ON ME AS WELL. HAD IT INTO THE DEALER AND AUTO SHOPS AND THEY CNT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THIS CAR LEA VES MY KID STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. NOT SAFE. GOES INTO LIMP MODE AND STALLS.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Hyundai VELOSTER

Based on 144 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 32K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 18K mi · 28 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

In line with typicalmedian 18K mi · 11 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 52K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 12K mi · 9 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BODY/STRUCTURE

In line with typicalmedian 29K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

In line with typicalmedian 32K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (1)

ENGINE01/12/2020

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.

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

Fix: 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 198.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2016 Hyundai VELOSTER

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,600

Per month

$133

Per mile

13.3¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$1,920/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,372/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2016 Hyundai VELOSTER

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,390

Full coverage / month

$116

Liability only / year

$574

vs US avg

-17%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1390

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Hyundai VELOSTER Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

60K mi

Spark plugs

90K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

Turbo engines (1.6T, 2.0T) need premium fuel and more frequent oil (some owners service at 5,000 miles).

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Hyundai New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

5 yr / 60K mi

Powertrain

10 yr / 100K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

7 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / unlimited mi

10 years/100K powertrain warranty is transferable only to first purchaser after initial owner

These are the terms for a new Hyundai. If you're buying a used 2016 VELOSTER, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Hyundai dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 299 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: THIS BRAND NEW CAR BREAKS DOWN ON MY TEENAGER. IT HAS DONE SO ON ME AS WELL. HAD IT INTO THE DEALER AND AUTO SHOPS AND THEY CNT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THIS CAR LEA VES MY KID STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. NOT SAFE. GOES INTO LIMP MODE AND STALLS.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: ACCELERATING BY ITSELF, LUNGING IN STOP/GO TRAFFIC.MOTOR REVS INTO PASSING GEAR ALL THE WAY TO 6500 RPM .BUT STAYS IN THE CURRENT SPEED, AND SOMETIMES WILL HOLD AT CERTAIN RPM EVEN IF NOT ON GAS , VERY LAGGY IN REV I FEEL I'M DRIVING OLDER CAR WITH MESSED UP TRANSMISSION
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: CLAIM MY CAR HYUNDAI..."WORLDWIDE " LOUISIANA .. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED AT A LIGHT OR IN TRAFFIC WITH THE FOOT ON THE BREAK WHEN YOU RELEASE YOUR FOOT OFF THE BREAK THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD - MUST BE SOMETHING WITH THE NEW DUAL CLUTCH 7-SPEED TRANSMISSION. PLEASE HYUNDAI FIX THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Hyundai dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)