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2019 Hyundai Veloster Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2019 Hyundai Veloster carries 2 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering engine and latch. Owners report 5 recurring issue clusters, led by “Driver's side door failing to open in cold weather.” Hyundai's owner's manual splits service into Normal and Severe schedules. Most US drivers qualify as Severe due to short trips, extreme temperatures, or stop-and-go traffic. Hyundai Assurance covers the first 3 years / 36,000 miles of complimentary maintenance on new vehicles. The Theta II 2.0L and 2.4L engines (2011-2019) are subject to TSBs around oil consumption — strict adherence to oil intervals matters.

2 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

ENGINE

Campaign #21V301000 · Apr 28, 2021

Issue: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Elantra, 2019-2021 Kona and Veloster vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which could result in engine damage.

Risk: A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Hyundai will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. Owner notification letters were mailed August 24, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

Campaign #19V311000 · Apr 17, 2019

Issue: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019 Veloster vehicles. In certain side impact crashes, the driver's door latch housing and locking cable can become damaged, allowing the driver's side door to open.

Risk: The door opening could result in occupant ejection or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side door latch assembly and lower channel, free of charge. The recall began June 17, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 183.

Recall data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2019 Hyundai Veloster.

Reported to NHTSA

Driver's side door failing to open in cold weather

STRUCTURE

7 NHTSA complaints · 2019-12 → 2025-01

“The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated that on several occasions while the vehicle was parked in extremely cold weather, the driver’s side door failed to open or close as needed”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11633614
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11437519
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11290142

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Clutch pack and disc failure affecting brakes

POWER TRAIN, SERVICE BRAKES

2 NHTSA complaints · 2020-08 → 2024-02

“The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The contact stated that it sounded as if the engine was revving without the accelerator pedal being depressed”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11574427
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11349587

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rear hatch window shattering when closing driver's door

STRUCTURE, VISIBILITY/WIPER

2 NHTSA complaints · 2019-09 → 2019-09

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11255775
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11255776

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stall, power loss, and premature failure

ENGINE

20 NHTSA complaints · 2019-05 → 2025-11

“This car was recalled for a bad engine and because their computer would not throw off a code they refused to replace the bad engine. It has 60000 miles on it and has been well maintained”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11667988
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11506275
“My engine is having the same issue as the other Hyundai Engines that have an active recall for it. The piston oil ring recall. My car is consuming 1qt of oil in roughly 800-1000 miles and burning it into the exhaust”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11517023

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Forward collision avoidance system false activation

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

2 NHTSA complaints · 2019-10 → 2026-07

“The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH with his two-year-old daughter in the vehicle, the automatic emergency braking system erroneously engaged and caused the vehicle to come to a stop, which almost caused a crash”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11753941
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11268096

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 13, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 3,750 mi

Severe service: every 3,750 miles. Normal service: 7,500 miles. Theta II 2.0L/2.4L (Sonata, Santa Fe, Tucson 2011-2019): never extend — oil consumption issues are documented in Hyundai TSBs.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. AWD Tucson and Santa Fe owners benefit from rotation at 5,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, calipers, and parking brake every 7,500 miles. Elantra and Sonata front pads typically last 40,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 24 months. Required to maintain ABS and ESC pump life.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Severe service or dusty conditions: 15,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Severe service: every 30,000 miles. Normal: 60,000 miles. Use Hyundai SP-IV or SPH-IV — substitutes can cause harsh shifting and torque converter damage.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 105,000 mi

Iridium spark plugs are rated 105,000 miles on Theta II, Lambda II, and Smartstream engines. 1.6T (Veloster N, Kona N): 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Long-Life Coolant

Every 30,000 mi

Hyundai Long-Life Coolant (pink): first change at 60,000 miles, then every 30,000. Do not substitute green or orange coolant — it damages the cylinder head gasket on GDI engines.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Located behind the glove box on most Hyundai models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Drive Belt Inspection

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect serpentine belt and tensioner every 60,000 miles. Replace at 90,000 miles on most models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

5 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

2

complaints mentioning a crash

0

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2019 Hyundai Veloster reflects Hyundai's published service intervals and the Service Reminder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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