Hyundai Veloster Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Hyundai Veloster model year (2012–2022) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Hyundai Veloster Years to Avoid
1 recall · 282 complaints
6 reported injuries
Top issue: ENGINE
Problem score: 297
2 recalls · 187 complaints
18 reported injuries
Top issue: ENGINE
Problem score: 229
1 recall · 153 complaints
5 reported injuries
Top issue: ENGINE
Problem score: 166
Best Hyundai Veloster Years to Buy
1 recall · 12 complaints
Main area: ENGINE
Problem score: 15
1 recall · 15 complaints
Main area: ENGINE
Problem score: 18
2 recalls · 30 complaints
Main area: ENGINE
Problem score: 42
Found the right year? Verify that specific Veloster with a free VIN report.
Hyundai Veloster — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 2021 | 1 | 12 | — | — | 15 | Excellent |
| 2020 | 1 | 15 | — | — | 18 | Excellent |
| 2019 | 2 | 30 | 3 | — | 42 | Good |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 2017 | 0 | 44 | 3 | — | 50 | Good |
| 2016 | 1 | 153 | 5 | — | 166 | Caution |
| 2015 | 1 | 88 | 1 | — | 93 | Good |
| 2014 | 0 | 71 | — | — | 71 | Good |
| 2013 | 1 | 282 | 6 | — | 297 | Avoid |
| 2012 | 2 | 187 | 18 | — | 229 | Avoid |
All 11 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Hyundai Veloster Shopping Guide by Era
2018–Present
Best: 2022Recent Veloster models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. The 2022 stands out with just 0 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.
2013–2017
Best: 2017Mid-decade Veloster units are entering high-mileage territory. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and verify recall completion status. The 2017 shows the lowest problem count for this era.
Pre-2013
Proceed with CautionOlder Veloster models have more accumulated wear and a larger recall history. These are higher-risk purchases without documented maintenance records and a clean VIN history report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year Veloster should I avoid?+
Avoid the 2013 Hyundai Veloster if possible. It has 1 recall, 282 owner complaints. The overall problem score is 297 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year Veloster to buy?+
The 2021 Hyundai Veloster is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 15. It has only 1 recall and 12 complaints on record with NHTSA.
Which Veloster has the fewest problems?+
The 2021, 2020, 2019 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Hyundai Veloster Research
Check a Specific Hyundai Veloster VIN
Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.
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