Showing the 2016 Veloster TOP. We haven't verified this trim's engine; the numbers below cover every version of this model year. Every version
Owner complaints, recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings from public NHTSA and EPA data, updated Oct 17, 2026.
Fuel economy
28–31 mpgcombined; city 25–28, highway 32–35; every version of this model year
Five years of fuel
$10,480–$11,600U.S. average; Ohio $9,360–$10,370 at local prices; every version of this model year; fuel only, not other costs of owning it; 15,000 miles a year, at EIA fuel prices for the week of Oct 12, 2026
NHTSA's VIN data lists these trims for the 2016 Veloster. A trim's engine and numbers are shown as its own only where EPA names versions after the trim and no other version could be it; "seen with" means a source shows that engine on the trim, not that it was the only one. Recalls and complaints cover the whole model year: whether a recall applies to a car depends on its VIN, on NHTSA's recall lookup.
Owners have filed 223 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Veloster. These are unverified owner reports, counted by the part of the car they name; one complaint can name several parts. Counts aren't adjusted for how many were sold, so they don't show how reliable a car is.
Complaints by part of the car
Part
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Engine
133
7
2
4
Power train
43
2
0
1
Unknown or other
32
1
1
0
Fuel/propulsion system
20
1
1
0
Electrical system
16
3
0
4
Air bags
11
5
0
3
Vehicle speed control
9
0
0
0
Engine and engine cooling
8
0
1
0
Service brakes
8
2
0
0
Structure
7
3
0
3
Suspension
4
0
0
0
Visibility
4
0
0
1
5 more parts
Fuel system, gasoline
3
0
0
0
Seat belts
2
0
0
0
Back over prevention
1
0
0
0
Seats
1
0
0
0
Steering
1
1
0
1
Complaints by model year
Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, and counts aren't adjusted for sales, so a shorter bar doesn't mean a more reliable year.
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2016 Veloster over its history. Campaigns are matched by model and year, so each one may apply to a given car, and its repair may already be done: check a VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup for the open recalls on that exact car.
Hyundai 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.
Risk: A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai 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.
Carmakers sent NHTSA 127 service bulletins and notices that cover the 2016 Veloster, the latest on Oct 8, 2026. They tell dealers how to fix known issues.
The parts they mention most: electrical system (43), engine and engine cooling (31), equipment (24), power train (14), steering (9).
NHTSA defect investigations
Opening an investigation isn't a finding of a defect. Outcomes are as NHTSA's summary states them. A recall is shown as an investigation's outcome only where NHTSA's summary names it; other recalls NHTSA's file lists with it are marked as listed, not caused.
Investigation
Part
Opened
Status
Engineering analysis EA21003 Engine Fires · covers 2 makes
The owner's manual gives the oil and how often to change it. We show oil facts only once we've checked them against the manual, and we haven't yet for the 2016 Veloster.
See used 2016 Hyundai Velosters for sale on: Autotrader · CarMax
These are searches on those sites; we don't copy or check their listings. Your ZIP is used for these links and never kept.
Specs
EPA class: compact cars. EPA greenhouse gas score: 7 out of 10. Each version EPA tested:
Swipe the table sideways for more columns.
Version
Engine
Transmission
Fuel
City / hwy / comb
Veloster Front-Wheel Drive
1.6 L, 4 cyl
Automatic (AM6)
Regular Gasoline
28 / 35 / 31
Veloster Front-Wheel Drive
1.6 L, 4 cyl
Manual 6-spd
Regular Gasoline
27 / 34 / 30
Veloster Front-Wheel Drive
1.6 L, 4 cyl, turbo
Automatic (AM6)
Regular Gasoline
26 / 32 / 29
Veloster Front-Wheel Drive
1.6 L, 4 cyl, turbo
Manual 6-spd
Regular Gasoline
25 / 33 / 28
Sources and dates
U.S. EPA fuel economy data, file of Sep 29, 2026
NHTSA owner complaints, file of Oct 17, 2026
NHTSA recalls, file of Oct 17, 2026
NHTSA manufacturer communications, file of Oct 17, 2026
NHTSA defect investigations, file of Oct 17, 2026
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, file of Aug 7, 2026
U.S. Energy Information Administration, file of Oct 12, 2026
Fuel cost: EPA mpg with fuel prices for the week of Oct 12, 2026 and electricity prices for Jul 2026. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (Oct 2026). Complaints are unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA. About the data