2012 Hyundai Veloster Problems – Is It A Lemon?

2012 Hyundai Veloster Problems – Is It A Lemon?

The Hyundai Veloster is a hatchback that has been produced for almost 10 years now. The 2012 Hyundai Veloster was just the second year of production for this model. Hyundai does not consist of the greatest of records in the U.S but can the same be said about the Veloster, especially with the 2012 Hyundai Veloster problems?

The South Korean manufacturer has been producing cars, SUVs, trucks, and buses since its inception in 1967. Hyundai is the largest car manufacturer in South Korea. Hyundai was formerly known for its cheap bargain bin cars. But lately, the company has rerouted themselves to create quality cars and they are still trying to keep their cars in the budget car category.

The Hyundai Veloster has been given more spirited performance as part of its 2019 redesign, it has been considered one of the best compact cars money can buy. But that is after 2019. The earlier versions of this car did not gain that sort of recognition.

Hyundai is known for some great cars like the Accent, Elantra, and the Sonata which are really good, reliable cars. And they specialize in fuel economy as well. Along with those cars Hyundai has also produced the Veloster. What do the early years of this car look like? What are the 2012 Hyundai Veloster problems?

What’s The History Behind Hyundai?

You might consider yourself a car enthusiast or an expert, but it’s a rare sight to see a person who knows a lot the backdrop of South Korean auto manufacturing. To truly understand a car and the problems associated with that car, you need to know about its background. This means that you should where the car comes from.

You have probably seen a few Hyundai rolling around but have you really noticed? It doesn’t matter, at the rate, Hyundai is developing as of now, Hyundai can be one of the best car manufacturers in the world.

Do you know that Hyundai has the facilities to build a car from scratch without buying in a single part? They have the capability to manufacture every single part they need to assemble a fully functional car. The even bigger news, do you know that Hyundai recently purchased their biggest rival, Kia? Now they are rebranding the entire company.

2012 Hyundai Veloster Problems

But for now, Hyundai is yet to make an impact in the US. They are known for their cheap and affordable cars, but are they really good? They are building a reputation for themselves and they are making some reliable cars. And in the past few years, they have been really good.

So overall, Yes, Hyundai cars are good, and they are worth a buy but as we see where the economy of the country is heading it is not possible for everyone to buy Hyundai’s upcoming cars. This is because Hyundai isn’t making bargain bin cars anymore. The new generation of Hyundai seems to be better and a bit more expensive.

So where does the Hyundai Veloster fits in all this? When looking at the 2012 model, it was focused to be cheap rather than good. What are the 2012 Hyundai Veloster problems?

What Led To 2012 Hyundai Veloster Problems?

Hyundai Veloster is a sports coupe that was first available in the summer of 2011. The name Veloster originates with the combination of “velocity” and “roadster.” Despite not technically being a roadster its name is supposed to invoke swiftness and speed. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 9.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 110 mph.  So you can be the judge.

The design of the Hyundai Veloster is inspired by a  high-performance sportbike. The Veloster is equipped with distinctive black A-pillars that give the glass a motorcycle helmet visor appearance. The rest of the face is signature Hyundai. The hexagonal front grille, hood scoop detailing, along the iconic Hyundai lights complete the iconic design.

The car is different from many competitors. It has one door on the driver’s side and two doors on the passenger’s side. It is basically different from most other cars.

The first generation of the Hyundai Veloster was produced from 2011 to 2016. This puts the 2012 Hyundai Veloster in the first generation of Velosters.

What Has The Veloster Got Right?

By no means is the Veloster the cheapest hatchback. It is priced around the $20,000 mark brand new and you can find a 2012 model for under $10,000. So, the Veloster is priced to compete with other hatchbacks. So for people to consider this car over others, it should offer something worthy of considering the hatchback. Why should you consider the Veloster?

Other than the stylish design, the Veloster does pack some gems inside as well. Users mention this car as fun to drive. This is because the Hyundai Veloster is fitted with a McPherson strut front suspension, coil springs, gas shock absorbers, and a 24 mm diameter front stabilizer.

The same can be seen in the rear suspension as well. In the rear, you can see a light-weight V-torsion beam, with an integrated 23 mm stabilizer bar to allow bracing of the arms for greater stiffness. The rear also uses monotube shock absorbers for a smoother ride.

Weight management is also extraordinary. The Veloster weighs in at just 2584 pounds. This is exceptional for a hatchback. This weight allows the Hyundai Veloster to deliver a great combination of agility, performance, and fuel efficiency.

Engine And Transmission

The engine used in this car is a GDI engine also known as a Gasoline Direct Injection engine. GDI technology helps deliver estimated highway fuel economy of up to 40 mpg, lower emissions, and higher reliability.

This engine allows Hyundai engineers to build a car that is fuel-efficient, and with lower emission, it is environmentally friendly. Even though it is a bit on the smaller size for an engine at 1.6L  it is still capable of getting some good numbers.

The fuel efficiency is emphasized even more with the transmission. You can get a standard six-speed manual transmission or an all-new, six-speed dual-clutch transmission also known as a DCT. The dual-clutch transmission blends the benefits of a manual transmission like fuel efficiency and sporty driving with the benefits of an automatic transmission.

2012 Hyundai Veloster Problems

The Hyundai Veloster has seen some bumpy years in the 10 years it has been in production. 2012 was one of those years. Though it was not the worst year for the Veloster, it still had its fair share of problems.

Here are some of the most common problems with the Hyundai Veloster.

Engine Knocks

Engine knocking is definitely one of the most frustrating problems you can encounter you can face as a car owner. When you hear a noise out of the ordinary coming from your engine, you know that it is not good. And when you come across engine knock, you can’t exactly pinpoint what is the cause of the problem.

With the 2012 Hyundai Velontra engine knock or engine springing is an issue you could face. The 2012 Hyundai Veloster’s engine begins to ping or develops a knocking noise at about 23,000 miles. This is a bit too early to face any engine problems. But with the Velontra this is to be expected.

Many drivers have reported facing this issue with their engines. They do report a springing noise from their engine. On some occasions, the springing or knocking noise is accompanied by smoke coming out of the exhaust. There were also cases reported, where the knocking slowly turned into vigorous shaking and ultimately engine failure.

Check Engine Light

A check engine light illuminating can be the result of numerous issues. To pinpoint exactly where the problem is, you need to assess the codes with a car scanner. But a common problem that caused the check engine light to illuminate in the Hyundai Veloster is due to an issue related to oil consumption.

2012 Hyundai Veloster Problems

The oil consumption of the 2012 Veloster is not as bad as some other years for the hatchback. Especially the 2016 model suffered a lot due to excess oil consumption. Though the issue was not as bad as that model, in the 2012 model it was still present.

The check engine light illuminating was often caused by excessive build-up of motor oil on the spark plug electrode. The problem can be dragged back to an oil consumption problem or other problems such as emissions system, ignition system, or fuel injection system.

Engine Overheating

Rather than calling this an engine overheating problem, it should be mentioned that this is more of a fire hazard. Some Automobiles may have faulty fuel hoses in which engine heat can cause premature deterioration. And this is exactly how the engine heat affected the Veloster.

Once this happens fuel starts to leak around in your engine bay. When fuel is leaked around your engine, now a fire breaking out is a real possibility.

Other than the fact that a fire is a serious safety hazard, an engine overheating could damage the engine. If the cooling system cannot keep the engine at optimal temperature, the engine will not operate efficiently, and if the temperature rises further it could result in a blown or seized engine.

A solution that Hyundai introduced for this problem was to install an extra electric cooling fan control unit. It operates after the engine is turned off to more quickly reduce 2012 Hyundai Veloster engine heat.

Transmission Woes

Another common problem with the Hyundai Veloster comes in the form of the transmission. The most problematic issue was that the transmission would fail completely. Though this did not occur as frequently as many other issues, the problem resulted in a much larger expense to fix.

This is especially true with the dual-clutch transmission. While the transmission certainly holds a lot of benefits, the repairs do cost a lot more. And if your transmission totally fails and you need to replace a DCT you can expect to pay upwards of $5000,

Sunroof Exploding

Okay, this is a serious problem and one of the most reported problems. The sunroof of the Veloster is reported to explode under high temperatures or improper installation. There is not enough evidence to pinpoint the cause for the sunroof exploding as the temperature, but the temperature seems to play a part.

The sunroof exploding did not have a certain time. It is known to explode while driving, parked beside the road, or even while parked in the garage. There are tons of complaints regarding this issue. This is definitely a safety hazard and the frequency is certainly something to be concerned with.

2012 Hyundai Veloster Problems

Even though might not be serious if your sunroof bursts while you are parked. Imagine the sunroof exploding while you are driving 70+ mph and glass starts to rain down on you. Other than the fact that the glass can cause injuries, the confusion and distraction could cause an accident.

Recalls Due To 2012 Hyundai Veloster Problems

Some of the above-mentioned problems were so intense that multiple recalls were issued for the 2012 Hyundai Veloster. Official recalls have been issued for the 2012 Hyundai Veloster by the NHTSA. The recalls and the paperwork associated with it are necessary if you plan to sell your car in the future. If you are buying a used Veloster, you should make sure to check whether the car was submitted during the recalls.

Even though recalls fix the problem for free, it is still a hassle for an owner to take their car to the dealership when it is called.

Recall 1 For The 2012 Hyundai Veloster Problems

The first-ever recall for the 2012 Hyundai Veloster came just a few months after the release of the car. the car was recalled on December 07, 2012. And it was recalled due to the sunroof.

Vehicles manufactured from November 1, 2011, through April 17, 2012, were called in. This was for the Velosters equipped with the panoramic sunroof. The cause was that the panoramic sunroof assembly may have been weakened during installation at the factory.

It was said that if the sunroof was weakened during installation, it may explode while driving due to the vibrations caused. And that this could cause an injury for all those in the car.

A total of 13,500 vehicles were affected, and during the recall, the sunroof was replaced.

Recall 2 For The 2012 Hyundai Veloster Problems

During the above recall, another recall was issued regarding the parking brake. Hyundai recalled the model year 2012 Veloster vehicles manufactured from July 2, 2011, through February 27, 2012. This was exclusively for the manual transmission Velosters. The problem was caused due to gravel and dirt accumulating along with moisture and binding the parking brake components.

When this happens the parking brake is no longer able to function properly. It will not engage when the vehicle is parked. If the parking brake is not fully engaged when parked, a manual transmission may move unintentionally, increasing the risk of a crash.

Hyundai replaced the rear brake caliper assemblies during this recall. A total of 4490 vehicles were affected due to this issue.

Recall 3 For The 2012 Hyundai Veloster Problems

The 3rd recall was issued on February 19, 2013. The recall was due to the sunroof exploding. This was the second recall due to the issue. 2012 Velosters manufactured from July 4, 2011, through October 31, 2011, were among the recall.

Again the problem was exactly similar and was only present in panoramic sunroofs. Hyundai yet again mentioned that it was due to an error with the installation.

The sunroofs integrity was analyzed and replaced if deemed necessary. This time, a total of 6071 cars were affected.

Recall 4 For The 2012 Hyundai Veloster Problems

The 4th and final recall for the Veloster was on July 02, 2020. So it was a recent recall. The recall was due to an electrical malfunction. 2011-2012 Hyundai Elantra and Sonata Hybrid, 2012 Accent and Veloster vehicles were among the vehicles that were recalled.

Hyundai stated that the reason for the recall is the 12V accessory socket outlet may have been over-tightened during installation. This error could disable the thermal fuse and allow the outlet to overheat with prolonged use, such as by using the Tire Mobility Kit air compressor to inflate a tire.

An overheated accessory outlet increases the risk of fire. With the Hyundai Velontros, fire seems to be a common risk.

The Tire Mobility Kit accessory outlet plug was replaced using a direct-to-battery connection wire harness kit during the recall. A total of 272,126 vehicles were among the affected.

The recalls were issued to fix some major issues the Veloster faced with the 2012 model. While not all the problems were issued recalls some of the more frequent problems were in fact recalled. If you are someone who owns a Velostor you should have submitted your car during those recalls. This is especially true for the sunroof recall since many owners have faced this issue.

And if you are someone who is looking to buy a used Hyundai Veloster, make sure to take a look, at these issues. If they were fixed during the recall, you wouldn’t have much to worry about, but if not you might have to think about getting it fixed yourself.

Reliability Considering 2012 Hyundai Veloster Problems

There is much more to a car than the price it is marked when you purchase it. When you buy a car you should also look into its fuel economy, reliability, and also the annual cost of maintenance.

Hyundai Veloster definitely has got some major problems. But so do most other cars. Just so there are a few problems with a car, doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t buy it. If the car is reliable enough for the price, it can certainly be worth it.

So, how reliable is the Hyundai Veloster?

Overall, the Hyundai Veloster is not considered a very reliable car looking at it long term. That means you cannot expect the car to run for a long time. You get 60,000 miles or a 5-year bumper-to-bumper warranty. The powertrain is a bit better with a 10 year or 100,000 miles warranty.

This is not the best warranty for a car, but it is acceptable. With proper maintenance, you definitely can make sure your car runs much longer but this is not the most reliable car for long-term use.

Another aspect of reliability is the annual maintenance cost. If you are spending thousands of dollars every year even if it lasts a lifetime, it cannot be considered the most reliable car. Here the Veloster does excel. The average maintenance cost for a car is $792 per year. On the other hand for the Veloster, the annual maintenance cost is around $493.

Best And Worst Year Of The Hyundai Veloster

When it comes to reliability, the second generation of Hyundai Velosters has done really well. The first generation was between 2011 and 2016. When you look at this generation, the number of complaints is many. The second generation which is 2017 and newer, has seen significant improvement. So if you are buying a new Veloster the 2nd generation is the best option.

It is hard to pinpoint exactly which year is the best since the 2017 and newer cars are almost similar in performance as well as reliability. If you are looking to buy one, the newer the better.

The worst year for the Hyundai Veloster is not hard to pinpoint. The worst year for the Veloster is definitely 2013. Along with this the 2012 Hyundai Veloster problems makes it one of the worst as well. 2014 and 2015 are okay to buy but again 2016 is associated with some major problems.

If you can refrain from purchasing a Velostor from these years, a Veloster is not really a bad car. There are a lot of good features backing it up, which makes it a good choice for a hatchback.

Hyundai Veloster Years to Avoid – Facts:

  1. The Hyundai Veloster is a hatchback coupe targeted toward the younger audience and has been in production since 2011.
  2. The Veloster has one door on the driver’s side and two doors on the other for passengers.
  3. The critical faults with the Veloster are interior accessories, engine, and connecting rod failures, which can be pricey to fix.
  4. Hyundai Veloster years to avoid are 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017; earlier models are worse than newer ones.
  5. Safe used Hyundai Veloster models are 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 with minimal troubles and excellent customer reviews.
  6. The latest models are better than the original Veloster options produced for drivers.
  7. The 2019 model had issues with the AC unit and other interior accessories, while the 2020 model experienced various miscellaneous troubles.
  8. The 2012, 2013, and 2015 models are the worst with engine faults such as connecting rod failure, loss of power, and a knocking noise.
  9. Common issues with the Hyundai Veloster include transmission troubles, faulty speakers, loss of power, engine faults, and pinging noise.
  10. According to carcomplaints.com, the Hyundai Veloster has a reliability rating of 4.0/5.0, which is above average compared to other compact cars.

Verdict – 2012 Hyundai Veloster Problems

If you are looking to buy a 2012 Hyundai Veloster especially a used one, it is not a good idea. Though 2012 is not the worst year for the Veloster, it is still not that good. But that doesn’t mean that the Hyundai Veloster is a car to refrain from buying.

Even though this car had a bumpy start, it has certainly turned a new page with its second generation. It might not be the most reliable car in the market, but it has some options that many other cars do not offer. There are certainly some pros and cons to this car, but if it fits your needs it has potential.

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