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2016 Hyundai Veloster

Gas
Compact Cars
4 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
B
Safety Signal
85 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Recalls1 critical1
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA221
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA31 mpg
202220212020201920172016

The 2016 Hyundai Veloster is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact car with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Veloster, is EPA-rated at 31 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year, 1 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of B. Owners have filed 221 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
VelosterGasFWD1.6L 4-cyl283531$2,000
VelosterGasFWD1.6L 4-cyl273430$2,100
VelosterGasFWD1.6L 4-cyl turbo263229$2,150
VelosterGasFWD1.6L 4-cyl turbo253328$2,250

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 36020, 36021, 36053, 36054.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2016 Hyundai Veloster is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (1)

Source: NHTSA recall database
!critical

Engine

198
128,948 vehicles
ProblemHyundai 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.RiskA damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.FixHyundai 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.
NHTSA campaign 20V746000reported Dec 1, 2020Hyundai Motor America

NHTSA defect investigations

Engine — Engine Fires closed

On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles.  During the PE investigations, Hyundai and Kia issued several recalls to address vehicle fires, including those due to engine failures involving various engine types.  The remedies for the engine failure recalls typically involve engine inspection (to detect existing damage), and if necessary, engine replacement.  Additionally, both manufacturers have been installing an engine control software mo

Opened Dec 22, 2021 · closed Feb 5, 2024 · action EA21003

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
221complaints filed

15 involved a crash · 4 a fire · 11 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2016: 8 · 2017: 16 · 2018: 12 · 2019: 19 · 2020: 14 · 2021: 53 · 2022: 20 · 2023: 23 · 2024: 22 · 2025: 20 · 2026: 14

Most-cited components

Engine132
Power Train43
Unspecified32
Fuel/Propulsion System20
Electrical System16
Air Bags11

What owners describe

“- When it shifts from 1st to 2nd or 2nd to 3rd gear, the RPMs will keep going up until I take my foot off the gas. So if I need to merge onto a highway quickly and it stalls in one gear, it can go up to 6k or 7k RPMs without shifting. I never let it get past it because I take my foot off the gas to let it shift because…”Jan 7, 2022 · Power Train · NHTSA owner report
“Vehicle in service and has none functioning air bag. Not covered under warranty nor the extended warranty that I purchased This is a safety and risk issue for myself and others that would drive the vehicle.”Jan 6, 2022 · Air Bags · NHTSA owner report
“Engine has a very noticeable engine ticking just like every other 1.6 included in the Hyundai recall yet my engine isn’t included in the recall. How can my 2016 have the same issue yet not require a recall notice”Dec 24, 2021 · Engine · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
3C FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆10%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Other Veloster model years

B

2022 Hyundai Veloster

2 recalls · 36 complaints

D

2021 Hyundai Veloster

3 recalls · 29 complaints

C

2020 Hyundai Veloster

2 recalls · 26 complaints

D

2019 Hyundai Veloster

3 recalls · 45 complaints

A

2017 Hyundai Veloster

0 recalls · 49 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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