2019 Hyundai Veloster Problems and Top Complaints – Is Your Car A Lemon?

Vehicle structure and powertrain issues among the top complaints received by the NHTSA from vehicle owners

Updated on Author: Brian Jones

Updated on Author: Brian Jones

This vehicle is subject to a recall. Find out if your Hyundai Veloster is included in the recall.

When it comes to sports cars, nothing quite looks like the 2019 Hyundai Veloster. The automaker claims that “every side is its bold side,” on the newest lineup. However, looking at all sides of the equation actually reveals a defective powertrain, faulty air bags, a poorly-built structure and terrible visibility.

Click on other model year to view more problems: 2020    2021    2022

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NHTSA Complaints for the 2019 Hyundai Veloster

Complaint CategoryNumber of Complaints
Structure:body
8
Engine
6
Unknown Or Other
3
Visibility/wiper
2
Vehicle Speed Control
1
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger
1
Electrical System
1
Steering
1
Suspension
1
Wheels
1

Problems with the Transmission

The powertrain consists of all of the components that transfer the energy into power. When these systems break down, the vehicle simply won’t run right.

That’s what is seen with this Cars.com review. “Since buying my Veloster 2.0 in November 2018, I’ve had to brave through quirks, unpredictable throttle response, excessive road noise and now my car is in the shop “indefinitely” because the clutch slave cylinder has already gone bad and Hyundai doesn’t produce the part for dealerships to repair yet.”

According to Service Bulletin #20-AT-018H, there are many transmission-related problems that could be experienced. Customers might see the Check Engine Light, have a transmission that is stuck in fourth gear or deal with a harsh shift into Drive or Reverse. Maybe the reason that Hyundai has drawn attention to the design is to keep people from seeing all the lemon-related aspects of the mechanical features, such as the transmission.

Problems with the Air Bags

To keep occupants safe, customers want a reliable air bag system. This is a system that has been around for many years and should be perfected by now, but doesn’t seem to be working with the Veloster.

Another Cars.com review states, “I would not put my family in this car again. I was in a head on collision that totaled my car and the air bags did not deploy.”

With this particular problem, Hyundai chose not to respond with any service bulletins. Instead, the automaker is ignoring any air bag troubles. Instead, just look at the bold side and forget about the safety features.

Problems with the Structure

While talking about the design and boldness, it’s vital to look at the structure. The car might look good, but it wasn’t built with any integrity.

Just look at this NHTSA review. “In temperatures below 35 degrees, the driver’s door does not open. It clearly makes an unlocking sound when unlock is activated, but the handle acts as if it is locked. I have to crawl through another door to open it from the inside. Only the driver’s side door is affected, and it opens as normal from the inside. Happens regardless of whether the vehicle is on or off. Obviously stationary.”

What’s more worrisome is a recall that shows a lot of lives are in danger. NHTSA Campaign Number 19V311000 states that over 12,000 vehicles have a driver’s door latch housing and locking cable that could be damaged, which allows the side door to open. If this occurs, the driver could be ejected from the vehicle during an accident. So, whether the car door won’t open or opens on its own, it poses a real threat to consumers. Malfunctioning doors must now be part of a “bold” vehicle design.

Problems with the Visibility

Additionally, there are visibility concerns that could pose problems on the road.

Here is another NHTSA complaint worth reading. “The rear hatch window shattered suddenly when closing the driver’s door. Vehicle was stationary in driveway. There was no previous damage to the rear hatch window.”

Additionally, Service Bulletin #19-BE-004H states that there could be further issues with the outside mirror assembly that requires replacement. From an impartial standpoint, it’s obvious that the Veloster doesn’t have a good side at all. Whether it is looked at from the left, right, top or bottom, defects are rampant. The only thing “bold” about this model is the way it claims to be one thing but is truly another entirely.

Your Lemon Law Legal Rights

Think you have a lemon? Sit back and let the experts work out your lemon case at no cost to you. The law makes Hyundai pay legal fees. You may be able to get your lemon out of your life. Every year, auto manufacturers buy back, replace or pay cash settlements to thousands of ‘lemon’ owners like you.

Complaint Data

CategoryEngine, Vehicle Speed Control
DateFeb 25, 2023
StateOH
Description
On february 24, 2023, my 2019 hyundai veloster turbo (~36k miles) would not accelerate and began losing power while driving. Problem seemed to be worse while driving uphill. At one point, car would also not go into reverse. Turning car off and then on seemed to resolve the issue with reverse. Similar issue occurred in early november 2022. Local hyundai service center performed maintenance under warranty on the transmission november 7. Between november 7 and february 24, there were no observable issues with the vehicle while driving.
CategoryEngine
DateFeb 08, 2023
StateTX
Description
Defective engine connecting-rod bearings in the engine that wore out and caused the engine engine to seize and fail while driving on the highway. Flashing check-engine light came on and reduction in power.
CategoryEngine
DateFeb 08, 2023
StateTX
Description
Defective connecting rod bearings that wore out early, which can lead to engine failure and stalling which almost led to a car crash. The connecting-rod bearings in the engine that could wore out prematurely and damage the engine resulting in engine failure. This created abnormal knocking noises from the engine , reduced power and flashing check engine light.
CategoryEngine
DateAug 06, 2022
StateIN
Description
I was driving to work on the morning of july 14, 2022. I was in a work zone with cones on both sides of me my vehicle lost compression as I was compressing the accelerator I started hearing a low rapping or knocking sound, this knocking increased and repetition rather quickly and my car would not accelerate as it had been. I exited the this knocking increased and repetition rather quickly and my car would not accelerate as it had been. I exited the work zone area, near where my work is and as soon as I turned off my brake pedal would barely compress I literally had to put all of my body white on the brake pedal to get my vehicle to slow down I had smoke coming out of my engine compartment and lost all auxiliary power to the vehicle. I was able to let the smoke out and see if the engine was actually on fire. It was not. I had no idea what was going on or why my pretty new vehicle was doing this. I had it towed to a body shop who did a full diagnostic of the engine, and they came out with a report saying there was internal mechanical problems and that all of the engine oil had dissipated at a rapid rate.
CategoryEngine
DateApr 15, 2022
StateMD
Description
The contact's daughter owns a 2019 hyundai veloster. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated and the engine seized. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that a faulty oil filter caused the engine to fail. The dealer informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but declined the engine replacement. The manufacturer informed the contact that the warranty was void due to after-market parts on the vehicle. The contact related the failure to nhtsa campaign number: 21v301000 (engine) however, the vin was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000.
CategoryStructure:body
DateOct 20, 2021
StateMO
Description
Driver's side door handle does not work on the outside in cold weather, the car has to be entered from the passenger side door and opened from the inside.
CategoryEngine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger
DateOct 12, 2021
StateFL
Description
This has happened 3 times. While driving the car it slows down and rpms go up. I'll be driving on expressway at approximate 60 mph then slows down to a crawl on expressway. 1st time it happened the dealer said a hose came off the turbo causing the issue. 2nd time it happened they said it was a coil. Now it happened again I almost got into and accident as the engine revs but transmission not engaging
CategoryElectrical System, Unknown Or Other
DateJan 30, 2021
StateIL
Description
Vehicles hvac blower motor makes a high pitched squeal/whine when being used on lower fan settings. The bearings in the motor seem to not be properly oiled and creates a sometimes loud sound when being used do to the scraping in the motor head. This is worsened when on rough terrain, the squealing/whining will become worse and more persistent.
CategorySteering, Suspension, Wheels
DateJan 15, 2021
StateCA
Description
During startup. When car is first ignition, while in neutral proceed to 1st gear an audible sound will be heard from right column and disappears. It will happen every start up sequence. I sent my car for service and they told me that it could be the electronic differential lock.
CategoryStructure:body, Unknown Or Other
DateDec 02, 2020
StateOH
Description
The vehicles driver's side door handle does not work on the outside in cold weather, the car has to be entered from the passenger side door and opened from the inside. Car is parked and unlocked but outer door handle, on the drivers door, refuses to operate correctly.
CategoryStructure:body
DateSep 02, 2020
StateOH
Description
Drivers side door will not open from the outside in cold (freezing or below) temperatures. It seems to still be locked, despite unlocking the car and being able to open all other doors on the car. Must be opened from the inside through the passenger door.
CategoryPower Train
DateAug 15, 2020
StateLA
Description
The vehicle clutch disc delaminated and exploded while driving the vehicle. The pressure plate, clutch cylinder and several hydraulic parts were also damaged. This also caused the brakes to stop working since the clutch and brakes share a reservoir.
CategoryStructure:body
DateFeb 20, 2020
StateMA
Description
In temperatures below 35 degrees, the drivers door does not open. It clearly makes an unlocking sound when unlock is activated, but the handle acts as if it is locked. I have to crawl through another door to open it from the inside. Only the driver side door is effected, and it opens as normal from the inside. Happens regardless of whether the vehicle is on or off. Obviously stationary.
CategoryStructure:body
DateJan 19, 2020
StateOH
Description
Drivers side door will not open from the outside. Driver must enter the passenger side and open the driver's door from inside.
CategoryStructure:body
DateDec 19, 2019
StateSC
Description
Driver's door will not open/unlatch from the outside in cold weather, I. E., below 35 degrees, locked or unlocked. The car was stationary, parked, twice in the driveway, twice away from the house in a parking lot. This just started happening but happens now each time the temperature drops overnight. There are many similar complaints online with no solution.
CategoryAir Bags
DateOct 29, 2019
StateTN
Description
My airbags did not deploy when the vehicle was hit in the front end. The car was a total loss (21 thousand in damage to the front end).
CategoryUnknown Or Other
DateOct 12, 2019
StatePA
Description
When entering an intersection, my collision avoidance system engaged and abruptly stopped the car in the middle of the intersection. There were several cars that had been in front of me turning to the right but were well ahead of me. The only other car was on the opposite side of the intersection sitting at a stop heading in the other direction. There was a strong sun glare but other than that it was a perfect day. I was traveling at approx 30 mph on a 2 lane road.
CategoryStructure:body, Visibility/wiper
DateSep 16, 2019
StateGA
Description
The rear hatch window shattered suddenly when closing the driver's door. Vehicle was stationary in driveway. There was no previous damage to the rear hatch window.
CategoryStructure:body, Visibility/wiper
DateSep 16, 2019
StateGA
Description
The rear hatch window shattered suddenly when closing the driver's door. Vehicle was stationary in driveway. There was no previous damage to the rear hatch window.
CategoryEngine, Fuel/propulsion System
DateMay 15, 2019
StateFL
Description
On may 7th my car was completely dead when I tried to turn it on on the park lot of my work. Wouldn't turn on, no lights, doors wouldn't open or close. Car was jumped by the tow driver and when go to the dealership they couldn't not identify the problem nor could hyundai. The tow driver told them the car was complete dead and still they gave me back the car saying nothing was wrong with it. But a about a month ago the car stalled and went completely off when I was driving on a highway 95 in miami, fl. At first I thought it could have been a human while sifting gears but now I know it wasn't. But after experiencing it a second time I know for sure it wasn't human error. Something is very wrong with this car and hyundai have not been gable to find out what. At the event at the highway I was only able to bring the car back running by snapping the clutch and the gas. If it was an automatic car for sure that would have caused a big accident. After the last time the car died it took half a tank of gas to drive less than 30 miles. Hyundai, is sending the car home to me even though they haven't found anything wrong with yet. They are putting a "black box" for me to record the car engine activities as it happens. I feel scared and unsafe driving this car. It is such a serious matter that I want to share in case someone else experiences that same thing and I wan to make sure my struggle with this car is well known and hopefully will inspire some more investigation.

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Brian Jones

About the Author:

Brian Jones spent more than 20 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.

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