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2012 Hyundai

Veloster

Auto (AM6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L

Hyundai Veloster: best and worst years
2012 Hyundai Veloster

Photo may show a different model year; you're viewing the 2012.

PhotoBenespitCC BY-SA 4.0Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Body
Compact CarsEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel DriveEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Transmission
Automatic (AM6)EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Powertrain
GasEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Fuel
RegularEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026

Engine & performance

HP
138
Power to weight
0.052 hp/lb
Axle ratio
3.67
Cyl
4EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Aspiration
Naturally aspiratedEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026

Efficiency

MPG Hwy
35 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
MPG City
27 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
MPG Comb
30 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Fuel $/yr
$2,100EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Smog score
5/10
Elec. Range
0 miEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Real-world MPG
35 mpg, reported by 8 driversabout 5 mpg above the EPA combined estimate
SmartWay certified
Yes

Dimensions & capacity

Length
166 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Width
70 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Height
55 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Wheelbase
104 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Curb Weight
2,663 lbNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Pass. Vol
90 ft³EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Cargo Vol
16 ft³EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026

Safety NHTSA, model year

⚠ This model year has a recall advising owners to park outside or away from structures (fire risk). Check with the manufacturer.

Recalls
6
Owner complaints
294
Reported injuries
28
Theft rate
0.6 per 1,000 produced (CY 2012 federal data)

Reported problems NHTSA owner complaints, model year

  • ENGINE15%
  • VISIBILITY14%
  • STEERING10%
  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM9%
  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER9%
  • POWER TRAIN8%

Source: NHTSA owner complaints, 405 total.

Hyundai Veloster: best and worst years

Federal investigations NHTSA defect investigations, model year

  • AQ23002Openopened Nov 17, 2023SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

    Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

  • PE12027opened Oct 2, 2012VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

    Panoramic Sunroof Breakage

Known issues manufacturer service bulletins, model year

102 service bulletins filed with NHTSA for this model year

  • May 23, 2026ELECTRICAL SYSTEMZ01 Letter

    Certain 2012 – 2017 model year Accent, 2012 – 2017 model year Azera, 2013 – 2018 model year Santa Fe Sport, 2013 – 2019 model year Santa Fe, and 2012 – 2017 model year Veloster vehicles may exhibit an intermittent airbag warning light and diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) may be set. At Hyundai, we are committed to providing vehicles of outstanding quality and value. In an effort to meet this commitment, the warranty coverage for the Occupant Classification System (OCS)/Occupant Detection System (

  • Apr 25, 2026AIR BAGS26-BE-011H TSB

    Some vehicles listed below may exhibit an intermittent airbag warning light and DTC(s) B1763 (OCS ECU Defect), and/or B1764 (OCS Mat Defect) may be stored. Hyundai is extending the warranty coverage of the sensor for the Occupant Classification System (OCS) / Occupant Detection System (ODS) to 18 years/unlimited mileage from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use (whichever occurs first) and is valid for original and subsequent owners. Refer to the warranty and parts informati

  • Apr 25, 2026AIR BAGS26-BE-011H DN

    Some vehicles listed below may exhibit an intermittent airbag warning light and DTC(s) B1763 (OCS ECU Defect), and/or B1764 (OCS Mat Defect) may be stored. Hyundai is extending the warranty coverage of the sensor for the Occupant Classification System (OCS) / Occupant Detection System (ODS) to 18 years/unlimited mileage from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use (whichever occurs first) and is valid for original and subsequent owners. Refer to the warranty and parts informati

  • Apr 10, 2026AIR BAGSDTN DL

    The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN). These inflators were not supplied, approved, or authorized by the vehicle manufacturers and have primarily been found in vehicles that previously experienced a crash and underwent airbag replacement using non-genuine parts. These dangerous inflators have ruptured during

  • Apr 10, 2026AIR BAGSDTN DCS

    The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN), that have been identified in U.S. vehicles following prior crashes, theft, or non‑certified airbag replacements. These inflators are not approved for use, may rupture during deployment, and have caused serious injuries and fatalities. Please see attached anno

  • Mar 26, 2026ENGINE26-01-033H DN

    This TSB references the Op codes to use for claim submission and the Parts required based on the vehicle’s inspection results from TSB 22-01-023H (DTC P1326 – Engine Bearing Inspection/Engine Replacement) or the latest version.

  • Dec 19, 2025ELECTRICAL SYSTEMP33 OL

    In response to this trend, we engineered a software upgrade that addresses the social media theft method and made it available to owners of eligible models free of charge at authorized Hyundai dealers since early 2023. In addition to the anti-theft software, we’ve developed a new zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protector hardware upgrade that can be installed at the ignition cylinder location to provide additional protection against the social media theft method. Because your Hyundai vehicle

  • Dec 15, 2025ELECTRICAL SYSTEM25-01-089H TSB

    This bulletin provides the service procedure for installation of a key cylinder reinforcement protector assembly and two anti-theft decals on the front windows.

  • and 94 more

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

Warranty manufacturer terms, by make

Basic
5 yr / 60k mi
Powertrain
10 yr / 100k mi
Roadside assistance
5 yr
Maintenance
3 yr / 36k mi
EV battery
10 yr / 100k mi

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.