The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle shut off with several warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was coasted off to the shoulder of the road. The vehicle was restarted after several attempts and driven to the residence in LIMP Mode. The following day, the vehicle was driven to the dealer where the technicians failed to diagnose or duplicate the failure. The dealer performed an oil change, and the vehicle resumed normal operation; however, the contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and there was a milky substance inside the radiator which was the result of an oil leak. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
Hyundai Veloster won't shift problems
34 of the 1,299 owner complaints about the Hyundai Veloster describe stuck in gear or won't shift, most of them for the 2016 model year.
- owner complaints
- 34
- worst model year
- 2016
- typical mileage
- 32,276
By model year
Often reported together
Check engine light 12Stalling 8Knocking 5Loss of power 3Jerking 3Hesitation 3Engine failure 3Won't start 2
Trouble codes mentioned
U1103 1P1326 1
What owners say
The car goes into limp mode in the middle of driving on the interstate or usually at higher speeds and loses speed quickly. This has put me at high risk for accidents when traveling between cities and has left me stranded on dangerous parts of the interstate at times. I have taken it to my Hyundai dealer I bought the car from and they said there is a knock in the engine and the whole engine would need replaced and I cannot afford that ($12k) but the car only has 125k miles on it and I want to keep it for as long as possible because it’s my baby. I do not think it has been inspected by anyone but my dealer yet but I am willing to let anyone look at it in order to get it fixed without paying an arm and a leg. The car did have some issues prior to this issue that were recalled and fixed, but this happened out of nowhere and when it does happen the engine light flashes and it goes into limp mode. The light currently stays on because of the O2 Sensor though, but that is not a big issue. I have to use a OBD2 Scanner to clear the engine knock code every time it goes into limp mode in order to drive it properly and even then it will go back into limp mode eventually. My car started having issues probably a year or two ago. I also want to note I know a girl who used to have the exact same year, make and model of car as me and had the exact same issues of going into limp mode and such so it is not just a random issue of mine.
"CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE & INEFFECTIVE RECALL REMEDY (the federal safety agency 19V‑204): While traveling at highway speeds, with my two children and boyfriend, the vehicle went completely black. Car loss complete power, going into a limp mode( 'Loss of Motive Power') The Check Engine Light began flashing before going solid. When I was able to pull to the shoulder, I tried to start the car and noticed the radio screen was black and stayed black(before this time, the screen would some times go blank or completely black and then turn back on). Car would start and shake really hard with noise coming from engine, and then car would die. Since then I have been going back and forth with Hyundai Motors and Hyundai dealer, telling them that this is not a warranty issue, but a safety issue and they both have ignored and didn't enology this at all. This happened October 4th, 2025 Recall of 182 was completed but it failed. The vehicle is at the Dalton Hyundai dealer in Nation City. Dealer confirmed zero compression in engine and want $5000 to tare engine to see if it would be under warranty but I keep telling them this is a safety issue that is still accruing and under the 573 Recall/19v-204 I tried to get help throw the BBB and got denied because of age and being the second owner and they told me to contact the federal safety agency I am a single mother of two young kids, I bought car on 01/26/25 and still owe money on car. Since 10/4/25 I have had to pay out of pocket for a car rental just get to work. My car is up for repo due to me not able to pay for a rental and my monthly car payment. I am lost and don't know what else I can do to get this matter seen. When buying this car the sale person said it is a good car, it will save money on gas, and it has been a nightmare.
Vehicle Info: 2013 Hyundai Veloster VIN: [XXX] Odometer: 75,000 miles Problem Description: My check engine light began flashing and the vehicle entered limp mode. Diagnostic codes showed P1326 and U1103, which are linked to a known Theta II engine defect involving rod bearing failure. Hyundai issued a 15-year / 150,000-mile warranty extension and settled a class-action lawsuit to cover these failures. However, my request for coverage was denied due to “time in service” despite being well below the mileage limit (only 75k miles). This is a serious safety concern that may result in sudden engine failure. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate Hyundai's denial and handling of such cases INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated that on three separate occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode with the check engine warning light flashing on the instrument panel. The vehicle had been towed and driven to the dealer and an independent mechanic to be repaired. The contact was informed by the dealer and an independent mechanic that a knock sensor failure had caused the failure. The contact stated that the combustion chamber had been cleaned and the catalytic converter was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact also stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained with the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated that while driving 76 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and decelerated to 30 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle experienced intermittent, unintended acceleration. The contact shifted the transmission to neutral(N), but the vehicle failed to stop. The contact then pressed the shift lock release button, and the vehicle was able to stop. The steering wheel also inadvertently turned left or right while driving, and the Lane Keep Assist System was not activated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that fuel and oil were leaking into the exhaust pipe, allowing smoke into the cabin. The dealer replaced the alternator, battery, and spark plugs, but the failure persisted. The dealer notified the manufacturer about the failure. The vehicle was then taken to Tarr Hyundai (5524 W Andrew Johnson Hwy, Morristown, TN 37814); however, the dealer was initially unable to duplicate the failure. When Tarr Hyundai was able to duplicate the failure, the failure information was forwarded to the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and several cases were opened. The final case was resolved through arbitration, and the manufacturer was ordered to buy back the vehicle; however, the contact declined the buyback offer. The failure mileage was approximately 141.
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to AutoZone, where diagnostic test codes indicated a timing chain failure and other diagnostic test codes were retrieved. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed due to low engine oil, and the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that 2 quarts of oil was added to the vehicle. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, where the contact was informed that the engine was overfilled with oil. The mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the failure was related to the knock sensor. The vehicle was then taken to another dealer, Great Lakes Hyundai of Dublin (2441 Billingsley Rd, Columbus, OH 43235), where it was diagnosed. The dealer informed the contact that no engine failure was found; however, the catalytic convertor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power, went into LIMP Mode, and failed to exceed 5 MPH. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving 35-40 MPH. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The contact stated that the vehicle had become undrivable. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they relied on the dealer’ assessment. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.
There is a recall for 2016 Velosters that is for the engine rods failing. The 2015 to 2016 Hyundai Veloster has been recalled for connecting-rod bearings in the engine that could wear out prematurely and damage the engine1. The 2016 Hyundai Veloster has had several engine-related issues, including excessive oil consumption, going into limp mode, hesitating at acceleration, knocking sound in the engine, poor acceleration, stalling, failure in the timing chain tensioner, rough idling, and oil leaks. Which is exactly what is happening to my car currently. Told me I was not eligible. But I'm not understanding why.
The engine is stalling. Check engine light is flashing. Car is in limp mode. Dealership say it not a matter of it but when the engine blows up. Have seen where some of these cars blow up and catch on fire. Hyundai want help me or thousands of other people with this problem
Car will stop driving in the middle of the highway and it won't shift gears. my car is 2013 Veloster with only 60000 miles
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Hyundai Veloster won't shift
Which Hyundai Veloster years have stuck in gear or won't shift problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2016 (10 complaints), 2012 (8 complaints) and 2013 (7 complaints).
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