HyundaiVeloster2012Overview/hyundai/veloster/2012/base/

2012 Hyundai Veloster

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 Veloster.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (AM6)

The 2012 Hyundai Veloster is a passenger car equipped with an automatic transmission (AM6), requiring 3.5 quarts of 5W-20 or 5W-30 API oil and delivering EPA-estimated fuel economy of 27 mpg city, 35 highway, and 30 combined. In its debut year, it accumulated 295 owner complaints—primarily concerning steering—and was subject to six recalls. Within the model’s 2012–2022 complaint history, this total is second only to the 2013 peak of 419, while later years saw far fewer issues, dropping to just 9 complaints by 2022, indicating that reliability improved as the generation matured.

Model year202120202019201820172016201520142012

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity3.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque65-80 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy27/35/30 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 121R · 550 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 121R · 550 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnLAMPOEM · verified
Tire sizeP215-45R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AM6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length166.1 in
Overall width70.5 in
Overall height55.1 in
Wheelbase104.3 in
Curb weight2725 lb
Track (front / rear)61.4 / 61.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined27 / 35 / 30 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume90 cu ft
Cargo volume16 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Veloster of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.5–9.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.50 sec — 2012 Hatchback
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2012Hatchback 1.6L I-48.50 sec16.70 sec138 hpFWD
2012Hatchback 1.6L I-48.60 sec16.80 sec138 hpFWD
2012Hatchback 1.6L I-48.80 sec16.70 sec138 hpFWD
2012Hatchback 1.6L I-48.90 sec16.80 sec138 hpFWD
2012Hatchback 1.6L I-49.10 sec17.00 sec138 hpFWD
2013Turbo Hatchback 1.6L Turbo I-46.80 sec15.40 sec201 hpFWD
2013Turbo Hatchback 1.6L Turbo I-46.90 sec15.20 sec201 hpFWD
2013Turbo Hatchback 1.6L Turbo I-47.00 sec15.20 sec201 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 3.5 qt of 5W-20 / 5W-30 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 65-80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.3-32.5 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Engine Oil5W-20 · 5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity3.5 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts94-101 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts53-56 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts14-17 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22-26 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.3-32.5 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts65-80 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub146-202 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)630 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)100 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.64.86 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance5,900 ohms
Ignition Timing3 degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.16-1.27 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity3.04-3.75 oz
Standard BCI Group Number121R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)62.3-68.1 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)55.0 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket16-23 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle58-72 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket16-23 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle47-54 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0002 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0012 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
113-16 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9013–16 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
114.5 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9014.5 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miBattery (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Vacuum Line (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Disc Brake Caliper (inspect) · Electronic Throttle Control System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Filter (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 37,500 miTransmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
At 105,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2012 Hyundai Veloster, as the launch year of this generation, recorded 295 complaints and the highest recall count of any year in the dataset at 6 recalls, with 2 investigations and 123 TSBs. Compared to the immediate years that followed, 2013 actually saw a spike to 419 complaints—suggesting the model's early issues persisted into the sophomore year—while 2014 marked a sharp inflection point with complaints dropping to just 84. The trend from 2012 through 2017 shows a general decline in both complaints and recalls, with the 2017 model year bottoming out at 49 complaints and zero recalls. The 2012 model's top complaint areas centered on steering (37), visibility (36), and engine (26), with 15 crash-related complaints and 8 fire complaints on record. The data does not specify root causes for these complaint categories. While the 2012 model sits at the peak of the recall arc for the generation, its complaint volume was not the highest—that distinction belongs to 2013—and the subsequent downward trajectory suggests iterative refinement by Hyundai. However, as a first-year model bearing the heaviest recall burden, the 2012 Veloster carries more documented risk than model years from 2014 onward, making it a less favorable purchase than mid-generation examples where both complaints and recalls had declined substantially.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
123
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
295
Owner complaints
15 involved a crash · 8 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 295 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Steering37
Visibility36
Engine26
Unknown Or Other23
Electrical System17
Visibility,Structure11
Service Brakes10
Power Train10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

12V568000Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof AssemblyReported 07/12/2012

Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2012 Veloster vehicles manufactured from November 1, 2011, through April 17, 2012 and equipped with panoramic sunroofs. The panoramic sunroof assembly may been weakened during… Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the sunroof's integrity and replace the sunroof glass assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began January…

12V567000Parking Brake:Conventional:Mechanical:Linkage And CableReported 07/12/2012

Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2012 Veloster vehicles manufactured from July 2, 2011, through February 27, 2012 and equipped with manual transmissions. Moisture and road grime may cause the parking brake… Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear brake caliper assemblies free of charge. The safety recall began January 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 123 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
Z01 Letter2026-05-22Electrical SystemCertain 2012 – 2017 model year Accent, 2012 – 2017 model year Azera, 2013 – 2018 model…
26-BE-011H DN2026-04-25Electrical SystemSome vehicles listed below may exhibit an intermittent airbag warning light and DTC(s)…
26-BE-011H TSB2026-04-25Electrical SystemSome vehicles listed below may exhibit an intermittent airbag warning light and DTC(s)…
DTN DL2026-04-10Air BagsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of…
DTN DCS2026-04-10Air BagsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Veloster. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2012 Veloster take?

3.5 qt of 5W-20 OR 5W-30 API SM, per the factory manual.

Does the 2012 Veloster have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Veloster get?

EPA figures are 27 city / 35 highway / 30 combined mpg.