2016 Hyundai Veloster Electrical Problems

Incident Description: I purchased a 2016 Hyundai Veloster (VIN: KMHTC6ADXGU255844) in May 2025. Shortly after purchase, the vehicle began exhibiting serious mechanical issues, including engine knocking, excessive oil consumption, stalling, misfiring, and loss of power. Despite these ongoing issues, the vehicle is listed as having Recall 198 completed. However, the symptoms associated with that recall continued and progressively worsened. The vehicle ultimately stalled in traffic while I was making a turn, resulting in an accident. In a separate incident, after exiting the vehicle and believing it to be in PARK, the vehicle moved unexpectedly and ran over me, causing serious physical injuries including fractures. Prior to these incidents, the vehicle had ongoing mechanical issues that were not properly resolved. The vehicle also required repeated jump-starts and became unreliable to operate. Additionally, there are discrepancies in the service records. The vehicle was towed to a dealership on or about June 8, 2025 and remained there until approximately July 15, 2025. However, the documentation provided reflects only a limited number of service days and consolidates multiple visits into a single summary. Due to these inconsistencies and the continued presence of failure symptoms, I am unable to verify that recall-related repairs were properly performed. These incidents raise serious concerns about engine failure and possible unintended vehicle movement, both of which present significant safety risks.

NHTSA ID

11730509

Incident

Dec 31, 1969

The climate control knob and AC system failed due to an apparent wiring defect. This is a known issue affecting hundreds or thousands of Hyundai Veloster owners. The failure causes loss of climate control and creates a safety issue due to a lack of defrosting and cabin airflow, as well as electrical fires. I have spent thousands of dollars trying to get this fixed, and mechanics are turning me away.

NHTSA ID

11709321

Incident

Jul 4, 2025

02/??/22 immediately after purchase, the vehicle’s alternator died and had to be replaced. 12/06/22 catalytic converter blew with no warning while driving. Car was towed to mechanic. 12/07/22 repairs were approved, costing $1,748.66. Shop informed us this repair was due to a recall (campaign 22-01-023H-2) From 12/22 through 07-23 I opened many cases with Hyundai, who closed cases without explanation. During this time I am required to refill vehicle’s oil every month to stop engine knocking and prevent break down. 06/23 I was finally able to set an appointment to start the first step of the recall. 07/10/23 I arrived for my appointment to start oil monitoring, but was told to reschedule and come back later. 07/19/23 I arrived for my rescheduled appointment. Dealer made me pay for oil that was used and instructed me to return in 1,000 miles. After 1,000 miles I returned and left my car at the dealer for a few days. When I returned Hyundai staff told me the recall was “only for the original owner.” I was also told the recall was “already fixed” and there was “nothing wrong” with the car. I self advocated, stating again that the oil was depleting rapidly and what I had gone through. Staff told me to “drive the car until it breaks down, then Hyundai will cover the costs of repair.” I mentioned how that is unsafe, but was sent away. 11/24/23 vehicle completely broke down out of state in a dark and unfamiliar area at nighttime. Vehicle was towed, requiring engine repairs. 11/27/23 I opened a case with Hyundai regarding these issues. A few weeks later I was told the case was closed since they “had to believe the dealer and not the client.” 02/05/24 alternator died, vehicle required a tow to the mechanic. 02/06/24 repairs were approved for almost $1,000. I do not feel safe driving this vehicle as it is unreliable, breaks down without warning lights- which only appear after break down, and the manufacturer refuses to take accountability for these issues.

NHTSA ID

11570541

Incident

Dec 7, 2023

I have done a lot of research on my car when it started having issues with major oil burning/consumption (I took it in because I had an engine recall and they did their testing and said no recall for my car). And since 2021, I haven't had a consistent working heater and a/c because a wiring issue. Which I have spoke to hyundai on a few occasions and told me "you just need a new hvac control head unit" which I had already replaced. The harness connector was fried, had that replaced by someone I know. May be not to standards, but it would usually work with most vehicles. I have replaced the head unit 3 times now, and the wiring harness 3 times. And it eventually fries the knob control for my blower speed. I have an 16 month old child and its a safety issue. The wires keep frying (my resistor has been replaced a few times thinking that was the issue), telling me the wires are not capable of the output for something so simple. In my research, this has happened to thousands of other velosters around the year of mine. And one was a mechanic and said it is a safety issue. It can catch on fire, and this should be a recall on all cars. I've also read how hyundai has told people with recalls, their cars were fine (after testing) then the engine blows and they're incompetent and so not care to help its consumers. Please help me somehow?

NHTSA ID

11567726

Incident

Apr 13, 2021

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45–55 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to pull over, looked under the hood, and notice that an unknown fluid was boiling. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who informed her about unknown recalls. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the radiator was empty. The vehicle was not repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V746000 (Engine) due to owner neglect. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.

NHTSA ID

11546393

Incident

Jul 24, 2023

Mileage

79,000 mi

Me and my who is currently pregnant was driving at a highway running 40mph when my car suddenly stalled. The engine died and my car is like on neutral. Thank god i was able to maneuver it to the sidelane and no one was injured. There were no warning lights whatsoever. I had to call a tow truck to bring it to my house. And since im very scared to use it again. And up to now the car is still not working, i wonder if its the engine or the alternator that caused the engine to die.

NHTSA ID

11477486

Incident

Jul 12, 2022

THE DASH TOUCH SCREEN IS UNRESPONSIVE

NHTSA ID

11403832

Incident

Mar 1, 2021

Mileage

111,000 mi

THE PLUG BEHIND THE AC CONTROL PANEL (THE BLOWER MOTOR SWITCH) HAS MELTED BECAUSE THE CURRENT ISN'T BEING CONDUCTED PROPERLY. THIS ISSUE STARTED MONTHS AGO WHEN I NOTICED THE AC CONTROL KNOB WAS GETTING STUCK & STOPPED WORKING ON THE NUMBERS. THIS LAST WEEK I SMELT SMOKE COMING FROM THE AC CONTROL PANEL, WHICH IS WHAT LED ME TO REMOVE THE CONSOLE TO SEE BEHIND. APPARENTLY, THIS IIS A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT OF THE 2012-2016 VELOSTERS & SOME PEOPLE HAVE HAD THEIR DASH SET ON FIRE BEFORE. I FEAR FOR MY SAFETY IF THE CAR WERE EVER TO SET FIRE BECAUSE OF THIS DESIGN FLAW & I WERE DRIVING. I, & OTHER PEOPLE, COULD DIE FROM THIS. HYUNDAI HAS NEVER ISSUED A RECALL OR ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11398190

Incident

Feb 24, 2021

Mileage

50,000 mi

THE METAL COMPONENTS OF THE AIR CONDITIONER/HEATER BLOWER SWITCH MELTS ON THE INSIDE CREATING A FIRE HAZARD.

NHTSA ID

11353581

Incident

Sep 7, 2020

Mileage

80,000 mi

I HAVE HAD 4 HVAC CONTROL HEADS BURN OUT BETWEEN A 2012 VELOSTER AND MY CURRENT 2016 VELOSTER I PURCHASED AFTER THE 2012 WAS TOTALLED. THE PART IS BURNING OUT BECAUSE IT OVERHEATS AND IS A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE IT CAUSES EVEN GREATER DAMAGE AND RISK OF INJURY IN THE FUTURE IF NOT ADDRESSED.

NHTSA ID

11319659

Incident

Mar 20, 2020

Mileage

54,866 mi

WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER INSTANTLY OVERHEATED WITHIN SECONDS AFTER TURNING IT ON. *BF*JB

NHTSA ID

11287290

Incident

Nov 10, 2018

Mileage

69,000 mi

PREVIOUS COMPLAINT # NHTSA FOR THIS ISSUE IS 11254423.

NHTSA ID

11255003

Incident

Sep 3, 2019

Mileage

29,000 mi

THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP FOR THE LAST YEAR. THE CAR HAS SIGNIFICANT VIBRATION WHEN TURNING ON MY AC AND LIGHTS. THE GAS MILEAGE HAS DROPPED FROM 30MPG TO 17 MPG. THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD WHEN TAKING OF AND STARTING. I WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION WHERE THE ISSUES PARTIALLY CAUSED ME TO REAR END SOMEONE. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. IN THE VEHICLE INSPECTION THE INSURANCE COMPANY FOUND THE FRAME TWISTED. THE ACCIDENT WAS A LOW SPEED COLLISION WHERE NO ONE WAS INJURED OTHER THEN MYSELF AND THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME A LATE 90'S EARLY 20'S LEXUS CAR RED IN COLOR HAD LITTLE DAMAGE. HYUNDAI IS UNWILLING TO HELP ME WITH THE ISSUES PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND I WAS TSEEN AND REATED FOR CHEMICAL BURN FROM THE AIRBAG

NHTSA ID

11254423

Incident

Sep 3, 2019

Mileage

29,000 mi

CAR KEEPS DYING BECAUSE LATCH TO THE BACK TRUNK WOULD UNLOCK ITSELF CONTINUOUSLY AND EVEN MORE WHEN COLD .IT HAS BEEN TWO MONTHS OF TAKING MY CAR BACK AND STILL NO ANSWER UNTIL YESTERDAY 2/19/19 THE DEALER SHIP SAID ITS MY CAMERA NOW KILLING MY BATTERY.THROUGH IT ALL THE DEALER SHIP WOULD KEEP MY CAR AND I WAS LEFT WITHOUT A LOANER.

NHTSA ID

11181323

Incident

Feb 20, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI VELOSTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S REARVIEW CAMERA WAS ALERTING HER TO CHECK THE SURROUNDINGS AND EMITTED A HUMMING NOISE INDICATING THE CAMERA WAS ACTIVE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE. THE REARVIEW CAMERA WAS ONLY MEANT TO BE OPERABLE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE. THE SCREEN THAT THE CAMERA DISPLAYED THE VEHICLE'S SURROUNDINGS ON WAS THE SAME SCREEN WHERE THE RADIO WAS LOCATED. DURING THE FAILURE, THE RADIO WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN OFF UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES. ALSO, THE BLUETOOTH THAT OPERATED FROM THE SAME COMPUTER SYSTEM FAILED TO TURN OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL THE ELECTRICAL ISSUES OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,500. ...UPDATED 11/12/17/*BF CONSUMER STATED REAR CAMERA TURNS ON IN DRIVE SHOWING RED LINES. ALSO, NOT REPORTED - SOUND COMING FROM RADIO/ OR NEAR RADIO WHEN STARTING CAR OR WHEN I GET IN CAR IN AM OR WHEN GETTING OUR OF CAR. SOUNDS LIKE A "BUZZING" OR HUMMING SOUND WHICH COULD BE RELATED TO CAMERA/ ON SCREEN ISSUE. UPDATED 7/25/18*JB

NHTSA ID

11031707

Incident

Sep 28, 2017

Mileage

19,500 mi

MY 2016 HYUNDAI VELOSTER WILL UNLOCK RANDOMLY WHILE IT IS IN MOTION. IT MORE COMMONLY UNLOCKS AT 45MPH OR HIGHER. EVEN AFTER IT UNLOCKS IT CONTINUES TO TRY AND UNLOCK SO I AM CONSTANTLY HEARING THE CLICK IT MAKES WHEN IT UNLOCKS

NHTSA ID

10859952

Incident

Apr 12, 2016

Mileage

5,000 mi