I bought this Hyundai Venue because it came with a manual transmission, which I prefer driving, however the transmission has been the biggest issue with this vehicle. It has a tendency to get stuck in reverse, most often when changing gear on a slight incline or decline. This has left me frantically trying to force the transmission out of reverse and into first. It's really scary when this happens in traffic (ex: reversing out of a parallel park). Sometimes you have to "rock" the car by reversing further (if you have space), clutching in and jiggling the shifter, but that doesn't always work. This started happening so frequently that I took the car to Pohanka Hyundai of Fredericksburg and they diagnosed it as acorns getting stuck in the gear linkage, but after having it cleaned out and seeing no more squirrel/rodent activity, it still gets stuck in reverse on occasion. I have owned two manual transmission cars before this and never had this issue with those.
The worst 2020 Hyundai Venue problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Seat belts8
- Transmission8
- Driver assistance5
- Electrical5
- Engine4
- Acceleration3
- Lights3
- Steering3
- Brakes2
- Airbags1
- Body1
- Suspension1
- Visibility1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2020 Hyundai Venue
Recalls 1
Seat belts: front
- What is wrong
- Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Venue vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioners may explode upon deployment.
- Risk
- An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, strike vehicle occupants, and result in injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will secure the seat belt pretensioners with a cap, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1‑855‑371‑9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 231. This recall expands and replaces the federal safety agency recall number 21V‑796 for Venue vehicles. Venue vehicles previously repaired under 21V‑796 will need to have the new remedy completed.
Recall number 22V458000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2020 Hyundai Venue 73
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Inoperable horn that may be caused by foreign substances causing internal parts to oxidize
- Inoperable horn that may be caused by foreign substances causing internal parts to oxidize
- Inoperable horn that may be caused by foreign substances causing internal parts to oxidize
- Inoperable horn that may be caused by foreign substances causing internal parts to oxidize
- Higher-than-expected engine oil consumption
- Difficulty starting in cold weather
- The federal safety agency has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit...
- The federal safety agency has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag...
- In response to this trend, we engineered a software upgrade that addresses the social media theft method...
- This bulletin provides the service procedure for installation of a key cylinder reinforcement protector...
2020 Hyundai Venue fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4‑cyl | FWD | 27-30 | 34-35 | 30-32 |
What 2020 Hyundai Venue owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The car horn stopped working. Replaced the fuse and still not working.
In a passenger-side front collision at 25mph, no front collision warning was given, and the automatic braking system did not engage. Fire broke out inside the vehicle next to the floorboard beside the front passenger seat (bottom of B-post) almost immediately upon impact. Upon inspection of the vehicle on 1/16, I believe the wiring that powers the passenger side airbags shorted (see photos), resulting in a fire which quickly engulfed the interior of the vehicle. Investigation, police report, and insurance still pending.
The trunk handle and latch malfunctioned, due to "internal part failure" (cited by dealership diagnostic). Each time I locked or unlocked my car, the trunk latch would repeatedly make noise as if trying to unlock/lock but it was jammed. After multiple click noises, the trunk would then sporadically pop open while driving, causing me to have to pull over and force it shut again. This created a safety concern as it would pop open while driving. There was no consistency on when this would happen either, making it unsafe to drive not knowing if it would suddenly pop. I brought it to the local Hyundai dealership who looked at it and recommended a full trunk latch and handle replacement. They cited that it was an "internal part failure," however since my model of car did not have a recall out yet for trunk latches (other Hyundai models currently do), it was not covered (costing $1,162). There were no warning lights or messages. The first trunk latch jam happened on November 30th when putting stuff in my trunk. The repeated clicking and trunk popping then occurred December 7th. After that, the clicking and jamming occurred every day, each time I locked or unlocked my car. It got progressively worse with increased trunk pops while driving. I brought it to the dealership on December 10th for diagnostic assessment.
I have two serious complaints about this vehicle. I am 5 ft 2 in tall. The seatbelt consistently slides across my neck causing distraction while driving. One would think that manufacturers would have figured this out by now. Almost all vehicles do this to anyone under 5ft 3in tall. Can’t tell me that when they add expensive sensors the seatbelt adjustment would be all that expensive to fix. Also- I have three grandchildren two in car seats one rear facing. It is not safe for me to travel with all three in the backseat. If I’m sideswiped the older child will have broken hips there is simply not enough room. And when we put the rear facing in the back seat the passenger in front has to push up so far their knees are in the dash. Can we say”how about I eat that airbag?”
I've owned this car since October 26, 2022. I noticed that my gas pedal is spongy and doesn't want to go or after I've stopped for a stop sign or a light. It was only happening every so often when I first got it but now it's happening at least once a week. My local CarX, whom I've been taking my vehicles to since 2013 and have a great relationship with, has looked at everything and can't find a cause. They told me to file a complaint to see if a recall is in the works for this transmission.
Position of accelerator and brake pedals is dangerous and potentially fatal. The brake pedal is significantly higher than the accelerator, often causing the driver's foot to slip onto the accelerator. Also, braking is difficult due to pedal placement that does not allow natural movement from the accelerator to the brake pedal because the height difference causes the driver's foot to hit the side of the brake, forcing driver to panic, lift leg high, and hope he hits the brake in time to prevent a rear-end collision. The dealer confirmed that the pedals are not adjustable, rendering the entire vehicle unsafe. Other Venue drivers have told me they have the same problem but no solution.
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Venue. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The check engine warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under TSB #: 23-01-019H; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed back to the same local dealer where it was diagnosed with DTC code: P0301 (Transmission Failure) and the contact was informed that the failure was related to TSB #: 23-01-019H. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the local dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure by the local dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Venue. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the crankshaft pulley detached from the engine. Additionally, the battery warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacture was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 52,000.
Driving on freeway on way home and all the dash lights lite up. Abs, collision waring, traction and the triangle with and exlimation mark. Car slowed down and dash flickered. Engine started making a light thud noise. 2nd time happening. First time was every similar but was on an empty road alone at 6am. When happened. First time took to dealership. Didn't happen again. Plan on taking again tomorrow. Super scary. Had car for 4 years this June. 36000miles.
Compare the 2020 Hyundai Venue
Other model years
Questions about the 2020 Hyundai Venue
Is the 2020 Hyundai Venue reliable?
Owners have filed 42 complaints about the 2020 Hyundai Venue, 1.5 times a typical Venue model year.
What is the 2020 Hyundai Venue year score?
The 2020 Hyundai Venue scores 56 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Hyundai Venue: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2020 Hyundai Venue?
Seat belts, with 8 complaints. Next is transmission (8).
How many recalls does the 2020 Hyundai Venue have?
1 recall, covering seat belts.
Was there a recall on the 2020 Hyundai Venue seat belts?
Yes, 1 recall: 22V458000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Hyundai Venue get?
Official estimates for the 2020 Hyundai Venue range from 30 to 32 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.6L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 27-30 city and 34-35 highway.
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