I am reporting a safety-related engine defect involving sudden internal engine failure, excessive oil consumption, persistent bearing knock, and overheating of the catalytic converter. The vehicle repeatedly triggered Bank 1&2O2 sensor fault codes due to oil blow-by and thermal overload. A certified mechanic documented the engine is failing internally and that the cat. converter has been damaged as a direct result of engine defect. The failure pattern is consistent with known Hyundai engine defect investigations involving bearing wear, oil consumption, stalling, and fire risk. The overheating cat. converter presents a significant safety hazard, including potential engine seizure. I purchased the vehicle used in March 2025. I am the third owner. Despite maintaining the vehicle responsibly (Regular oil changes), the engine failure progressed rapidly. Hyundai Motor America has denied a goodwill repair solely on the basis of mileage, even though the defect clearly originated long before my ownership and aligns with previously identified safety-related engine issues. Additionally, Hyundai's records show that this vehicle had an engine-related recall active during prior ownership period; the recall was never performed by the Hyundai dealership that sold the vehicle to the previous owner. This raises concerns about improper recall handling and whether the defect should have been corrected before the vehicle was resold. Given the safety implications, the documented defect pattern, and the unresolved recall history, I am requesting the federal safety agency's review of this matter. The engine failure poses a serious safety risk; Hyundai's refusal to address a known defect, the vehicle is unsafe to operate. Timeline: 2014 Hatchett Hyundai West, KS 17,665 mi.; 2017-H. West serviced vehicle, 58,918; 2019-Engine powertrain alert 83856mi; 2020- Edmund Hyundai, OK-engine power train 100179 mi; 2021- Edmund 145418mi.; Hy. Noblesville, IN 167,603mi.; 2024 - H.N. 171937; 2025 - denied repair 188890.
Hyundai Veloster overheating problems
25 of the 1,298 owner complaints about the Hyundai Veloster describe engine overheating, most of them for the 2013 model year.
- owner complaints
- 25
- worst model year
- 2013
- typical mileage
- 69,000
By model year
Often reported together
Stalling 6Knocking 4Engine failure 4Fire or smoke 3Oil consumption 2Check engine light 2Shudder 1Loss of power 1
Trouble codes mentioned
P073F 1P0420 1
What owners say
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle shuddered and stalled. The vehicle was restarted. The contact shifted to reverse and pulled into a parking lot. The message that the transmission had overheated was displayed. The contact used a scanner and diagnosed the vehicle with clutch actuator failure. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 86,494.
I am writing regarding a serious safety issue with my 2013 Hyundai Veloster, purchased new. Over the life of the vehicle, I have replaced the manual AC/heat control head three times due to repeated failure. During the most recent installation, I left the trim panel off to monitor the wiring harness and found it becomes extremely hot while operating. A local repair technician examined it and immediately advised me not to use the heating system due to potential fire risk. Research specific to my vehicle shows documented issues including blower control overheating, burning smell/smoke, burned internal contacts, wiring harness heat damage, and repeat control failure. These match exactly what is occurring with my car. I previously spoke with my dealership’s parts department and was told there may be known concerns involving the wiring harness and blower resistor. I also contacted Hyundai Motor America Consumer Affairs but did not receive assistance. After inspection, the dealership informed me the wiring harness and resistor must be replaced at a cost of approximately $2,450. Given the repeated failures and overheating electrical components, I do not believe I should be responsible for this expense, especially considering the potential safety hazard. The vehicle has been carefully maintained, stored properly, and rarely driven in winter. I had planned to use it for travel after retirement but now feel unsafe operating it. I respectfully request a formal safety review and goodwill repair assistance, as this appears to be a defect rather than normal wear. I am also filing a complaint with the federal safety agency due to the documented fire risk. I appreciate your prompt attention to this matter. I am respectfully requesting: A formal safety review of this issue. Goodwill repair assistance or full coverage of the repair costs. Clarification as to whether this issue has been evaluated for recall consideration. [XXX] , [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION
Electrical wiring harness and connector melting and blower transistor overheating with know Hyundai internal documentation, all causing a smoke smell and fire hazard. I'm on my 3rd manual Heater / HVAC Control Unit. Fire risk acknowledged by Hyundai dealership and customer affairs. Forced to pay diagnostics fees despite know safety issues, Cost for repairs out the door around 2,450 out the door. Car sitting at the Hyundai dealership waiting for me to repair or not. I cant be driving a fire hazard vehical.
On May 13, 2024 my car had it's motor replaced. This was done at no charge by Hyundai of Wesley Chapel (Not where I bought it). The motor was replaced because of a recall (Product Improvement Campaign 966/ Knock Sensor Detection System). On July 28, 2024 my car engine ( the new one they had given me 10 weeks earlier) overheated and broke down. We had the car towed back to Hyundai of Wesley Chapel. They were unable to determine the cause of the engine breaking down, other than that is was leaking coolant. Hyundai is asking me to pay for a diagnostic test, estimated at between $3,000 and $4,000 to determine the cause. We do not want to do that and don't believe we should be held responsible for this cost. We have not been provided with a loaner car. This is a big inconvenience that we need resolved.
AC Fan control switch has melted and filled car with smoke. Fan control switch has overheated. The switch has melted and will not work at all.
The HVAC control knob overheated and burned out in my car. It scorched/charred and melted the plastic switch it was plugged into in the dash. It caused a strong burnt plastic, Smokey smell inside the car while I was driving. I thought the car was on fire at first. Thank goodness it wasn’t but it really could have started a fire in the dash of the car under the right conditions. I’ve read numerous accounts online of this same exact issue on this year/model, but no action has been taken by Hyundai to rectify this dangerous design flaw. I’ve also read that it can and usually happens again to the replacement control knob and plug. It’s absolute insanity to replace it with the exact same part knowing full well that it’s most likely going to do the same exact thing again. What if it does cause a fire in the dash the next time while I’m driving? It could possibly severely injure or kill me and any passenger in the car in addition to putting other drivers at risk from a mobile flaming inferno.
Then wiring for the temperature control knob is faulty. When taken apart to see the problem it has very obviously melted from extreme overheating causing the plastic to deform and render the knob and a/c power button unusable. God only know what other electrical shorts and melted components are under the hood. They had a recall for other year models just not mine. Clearly it’s a universal issue and should be fixed accordingly.
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 operating the vehicle the contact would become ill and had experienced dizziness and nausea which required medical treatment. The contact was diagnosed with high carbon monoxide levels. The vehicle was later taken to the local mechanic who informed that the carbon monoxide levels inside the cabin of the vehicle were high. The cause f the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 42,000.
We purchased the vehicle in March 2022 and in May 2022 the engine light came on and there was knocking in the engine until finally the engine quit while driving. Upon inspection of the engine it appeared to have blown as there was oil all under the hood. The car was towed and serviced at a Hyundai dealer and I was told it needed a new engine. They put another engine in the car. We got the car back December 31, 2022 with the "new/used" engine and that night the engine overheated and had to be towed back to the dealer that did the repairs costing almost $10K. They repaired the engine again, saying that they put another engine in and we got the car back in late February 2023. April 2023 the car engine light came on again and the car began to smoke. My son had been driving, pulled into our driveway, popped the hood to see why it was smoking and the car then caught fire! My son could have been seriously hurt or even worse! The car has been inspected by our insurance company and is now claiming a total loss. I have since emailed the pictures of the car to the service manager at the dealer where the work was done and he is claiming that he can't tell by the pictures what caused the fire. This is the SECOND engine they put in this car!
Related recalls
Engine
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 21V301000 · Recall details
Engine
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 20V746000 · Recall details
Engine
- What is wrong
- Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013 Veloster vehicles that are equipped with 1.6 liter turbo engines. The engine management software may cause premature ignition (pre-ignition) of the air/fuel mixture in the engine. The resulting excessive cylinder pressure may damage the engine.
- Risk
- Engine damage can increase the risk of a fire or cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will update the engine management software, free of charge. The recall began May 14, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1‑855‑371‑9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 182.
Recall number 19V204000 · Recall details
Questions about the Hyundai Veloster overheating
Which Hyundai Veloster years have engine overheating problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2013 (12 complaints), 2016 (7 complaints) and 2015 (4 complaints).
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