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2019 Hyundai Veloster problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls

HIGH COMPLAINT SIGNAL
51%
23 of 46 relevant owner complaints are about the engine, transmission or fuel system

51% of relevant owner complaints filed with NHTSA on the 2019 Hyundai Veloster are about the engine, transmission or fuel system. That is a model-level pattern, not bad luck.

Worse than 67% of the 1,789 model years we track (2010–2023).

NHTSA data checked October 3, 2026
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Does the 2019 Hyundai Veloster have engine problems?

Owner complaints say yes, as a model-year pattern. 23 of 46 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2019 Hyundai Veloster concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (51%), and the largest group is filed under engine (18). For comparison, the 2020 scores 46%. On a test drive, check for stalling, loss of power, rough idle, oil consumption or a check-engine light. This describes the model year, not any one car: a well-maintained or already-repaired example can be fine, and a clean model year can still have a bad car in it.

Drivetrain complaints
23
engine, transmission, fuel
Total complaints
46
this model year
Fires reported
0
owner-reported
Recall campaigns
3
2 crashes · 3 injuries

Complaints by component

ENGINE18 · 39%
STRUCTURE8 · 17%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM7 · 15%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER7 · 15%
SERVICE BRAKES4 · 9%
STEERING4 · 9%

The years either side

2010
no data
2011
no data
2012
29%
81 of 296
2013
49%
196 of 424
2014
48%
38 of 86
2015
67%
90 of 137
2016
80%
170 of 222
2017
72%
33 of 50
2018
no data
2019
51%
23 of 46
2020
46%
12 of 27
2021
18%
5 of 29
2022
22%
8 of 37
2023
no data

Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.

Cleaner alternatives

Same car, a better year

Other compact cars with no elevated signal in 2019

The percentage is each model year's drivetrain complaint share. No elevated signal describes the model year, not any one car; a well-kept example of a flagged model can still be the right buy, and any of these still needs an inspection.

What owners reported

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING06/01/20231 INJURED
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the engine would overheat and the vehicle would stall. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The engine was replaced and failures were remedied. Later while operati…
ENGINE11/11/2025
Engine locked on me during driving almost caused a car rear ending me during rush hour. Called AAA and they printed out a recall form for over heated piston that may cause engine damage. Towed to Tito Auto care and then printed out the same information for recall details NHTSA Campaign Number 21V301000. Advised me t…
ENGINE09/26/2025
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate, the vehicle failed to respond with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the engine was faulty and needed to …

Three of 23 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows more, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.

Recall campaigns on the 2019 Hyundai Veloster (3)

ENGINE
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 …
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
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…
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP:CONTROL/DRIVE MODULE
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Veloster N, 2019-2023 Genesis G70, 2022-2023 Elantra N, and Kona N vehicles. The fuel pump may fail, which…

This does not say whether a particular car has an open, unrepaired recall. That depends on the VIN.

Before you buy a 2019 Hyundai Veloster

Questions people ask about the 2019 Hyundai Veloster

Does the 2019 Hyundai Veloster have engine problems?

Owner complaints say yes, as a model-year pattern. 23 of 46 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2019 Hyundai Veloster concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (51%). Before buying one, have an independent mechanic check the engine and ask the seller whether it has been repaired or replaced.

Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2019 Hyundai Veloster?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns on the 2019 Hyundai Veloster. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

Which Hyundai Veloster years are better?

Among the Hyundai Veloster years we track, the 2021 (18%), the 2022 (22%) and the 2012 (29%) have a lower engine and transmission complaint share than the 2019 (51%). Manufacturers fix things mid-generation, so the year before or after can be a different car.

Should I buy a 2019 Hyundai Veloster?

That depends on the car in front of you, not just the model year. The 2019 Hyundai Veloster has an elevated engine complaint pattern, so treat it as a car that needs proof: service records showing engine work, a cold-start test drive, and an independent pre-purchase inspection focused on the engine. A well-kept or already-repaired example can be a fine car; an unknown one is a gamble.

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Experimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle. Combined across 2 body styles NHTSA files separately.