2012-2017 Hyundai Veloster Rear Coil Spring: Diagnosing Sag, Clunks, and Suspension Faults

Symptoms of Failing 2012-2017 Veloster Rear Coil Springs

Coil springs typically fail from age, metal fatigue, or corrosion. A broken or severely worn spring will noticeably affect your Veloster's safety and ride quality. Watch for these common symptoms:

• Sagging Rear End: The most obvious sign is a visibly lower ride height in the rear. The car may look like it's squatting, even with no weight in the trunk or back seat. You can measure the distance from the center of the wheel to the fender lip on both sides; a significant difference points to a failed spring.
• Clunking or Banging Noises: Loud clunking, popping, or banging sounds from the rear of the car when driving over bumps are a classic symptom. This can be the sound of a broken spring piece moving around or the suspension bottoming out.
• Bouncy and Unstable Ride: With a failed spring, the shock absorber is overwhelmed, leading to excessive bouncing after hitting a bump. The car may feel unstable or floaty, and it might sway or lean more than usual during turns.
• Vehicle Bottoming Out: If your suspension hits its bump stops with a harsh thud over bumps that it used to handle easily, the springs are no longer able to support the vehicle's weight properly.
• Uneven Tire Wear: Bad springs can alter the suspension geometry, leading to incorrect wheel alignment and causing tires to wear unevenly.

Known Issues, TSBs, and Recalls

As of early 2026, there are no specific recalls or Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) from Hyundai for rear coil spring failure on the 2012-2017 Veloster. Failures of this part are generally considered normal wear and tear due to age, mileage, and environmental factors like road salt.

It is important to note that Hyundai did issue a major safety recall (NHTSA ID: 23V-651) for 2012-2015 Veloster models due to a fire risk from the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) module. This is unrelated to the suspension but is a critical safety issue for owners to be aware of.

Buying a Used 2012-2017 Veloster Coil Spring

A used OEM coil spring is often a better choice than a cheap, new aftermarket part. Used OEM springs were manufactured to Hyundai's exact specifications for spring rate and height, ensuring your car handles as it should. Budget aftermarket springs can often be stiffer or softer than original, negatively affecting ride quality and balance.

What to Inspect Before You Buy

• Always Replace in Pairs: This is the most important rule. Springs wear out over time, so replacing only one will result in an uneven ride height and unpredictable handling. Always buy and install rear springs as a matched pair from the same donor vehicle.
• Check for Cracks: Carefully inspect the entire spring, paying close attention to the very top and bottom coils where they sit in the mounts. This is where stress fractures most often occur.
• Inspect for Severe Corrosion: Surface rust is normal, but look for deep, flaky rust or pitting. Corrosion weakens the steel and can lead to a sudden fracture. If the protective black coating is mostly gone and the metal is heavily pitted, pass on the part.
• Compare Free Height: If you are looking at a pair of used springs, stand them next to each other on a flat surface. They should be the same height. If one is visibly shorter, it is fatigued and should not be used.

Replacement Overview & Difficulty

Replacing the rear coil springs on a 2012-2017 Veloster is a straightforward job for a DIY mechanic with the right safety equipment. The rear suspension has a separate spring and shock absorber, which makes the process much simpler than on a car with a full strut assembly.

• Difficulty: 2/5
• Estimated Time: 1-2 hours for the pair.
• Tools Needed: Jack, jack stands, wheel chocks, metric socket set (19mm is common), pry bar.

Basic Steps:

1. Safely lift the rear of the vehicle and place it on jack stands, then remove the wheels.
2. Place a floor jack under the center of the rear axle beam to support its weight.
3. Remove the lower bolt connecting the shock absorber to the axle beam. You will need to do this on both sides.
4. Slowly lower the jack supporting the axle. This will relieve the tension on the coil springs.
5. Once the axle is low enough, the springs can be pulled out by hand. Note the orientation of the upper and lower rubber insulators.
6. Transfer the rubber insulators to the new springs, place them in the mounts, and slowly raise the axle back into position, ensuring the springs are seated correctly.
🎬 See this step-by-step walkthrough for installing new Veloster rear springs.
7. Re-install the lower shock bolts and torque them to specification.

Cost Comparison (For a Pair of Rear Springs)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)