2019 Hyundai Veloster earns Top Safety Pick status

The award applies only to Velosters with specific headlights built after August 2018.

The 2019 Hyundai Veloster has joined the Top Safety Pick honor roll after receiving a few modifications.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says it uncovered a problem with the driver-side door in early tests, prompting a recall and a design change for cars built after January 2019.

"In the first of two side tests, the driver door opened during the crash, which could lead to occupant ejection in a crash," the IIHS report notes. "Hyundai modified the door beginning with models built after January, and in a second side crash test the door stayed closed."

The Veloster also had a bit of trouble with its headlights. Early-production models created excessive glare for oncoming drivers, landing a 'poor' rating. Hyundai revised the premium headlights that come on certain trim levels built after August 2018.