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Hyundai VelosterModel year report

2013 Hyundai Veloster Problems

Compared with other Hyundai Veloster years

More complaints than typical for this model

100/100 5.3× a typical year · 50 = typical

Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2014

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
426filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
69,000miles, 274 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
31 mpgcombined, 1.6L 4-cyl FWD · 28 city / 37 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2013 Hyundai Veloster (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of the 2013 Veloster most often write about engine trouble — excessive oil use, knocking, stalling and, in some cases, engine replacement — typically past 60,000 miles. A second large group describes climate-control wiring that overheats and melts, and a third describes a loose, clicking steering wheel. Complaints arrive across a wide mileage range, so these are not problems confined to low-mileage cars.

  1. Engine

    Engine oil consumption, knocking and stalling

    • 145 complaints (34%)
    • median 89,358 mi at 6.7 yrs old (96 state mileage)
    • 13 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • owner-quoted repair $2,500 (median of 11 quotes)
    • filed 2013–2026

    Complaints describe oil disappearing with no visible leak and no warning light, often followed by knocking noises, rough running or sudden loss of power while driving. Several owners say a dealer diagnosed cylinder or bottom-end damage and recommended engine replacement; others report the ignition switch was repaired or a software recall was performed but the oil use continued. Some mention a hole in a piston or a fractured intake manifold found after a loss of power. Reported mainly between roughly 40,000 and 150,000 miles, with no clear seasonal pattern.

    Recall 19V2040004 related service bulletins

    What to check: Check the oil level and look for a fuel or burnt smell on the dipstick, and ask for oil-change records showing how much oil was added between services. Ask whether the engine software campaign for knock sensing was applied and whether any engine replacement has been done.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “My car is under open recall with Hyundai compaign # recall 182 or NHTSA recall #19v204000 . I have engine damage in cylinder number 2 which is due to the mix of air and fuel and Hyundai refuse to cover my engine under this recall even they put safety risk of this recall is :engine damage can increase the risk of a fire or cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11355150, filed 2020-09, 42,000 miles

    “I was sitting in my car and all of a sudden my cars check engine light came on and then I died. I waiting a couple of minutes and then tried starting it again but it started slightly and then died again. This has happened to me in the pass. The last time this happened my car had to get a new engine installed.”

    NHTSA complaint #11337919, filed 2020-07, 67,500 miles
  2. Electrical system

    Climate control fan switch and wiring melting

    • 49 complaints (12%)
    • median 75,292 mi at 6.8 yrs old (26 state mileage)
    • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2014–2026

    Owners report that one or more fan speeds stop working, sometimes all of them, and that a burning plastic smell accompanies it. On inspection, complaints describe melted or burnt wiring behind the dashboard and a burnt switch or connector at the fan dial; some replaced the control unit only for the same setting to fail again. Several note the defrost function was affected once the fan speeds quit. Mostly reported between about 29,000 and 110,000 miles, in ordinary daily driving.

    What to check: Cycle through every fan speed with the blower on high and smell for hot plastic; ask whether the fan switch, connector or wiring harness has been replaced. A visual check behind the climate panel for darkened or melted wiring is worth requesting.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I bought my car may 2016 it had an odd smell once I started using my AC unit but couldn't figure it out. In august I lost level 1 and 2 on my blower knob, and in october 2018 I lost all heat and the blower knob no longer worked. I oreder an oem dash control unit and had a co-worker install it for me. Sept. 2019 I again lost level 1 and 2 of the fan blower. I contacted the supplier and was told this is only under warranty if it was installed at a certified shop and only if I put on 12k miles and under 1 year. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11311426, filed 2020-02, 110,000 miles

    “Ive replaced the engine three time due to failure. The failure of the gdi motors is imminent. On a different note, the climate control knob heats up and burns out the metal strip behind the knob which causes the knob to eventually become useless.”

    NHTSA complaint #11391121, filed 2021-02, 100,000 miles
  3. Steering

    Loose, clicking steering wheel (steering coupler)

    • 35 complaints (8%)
    • median 72,000 mi at 7.1 yrs old (20 state mileage)
    • owner-quoted repair $400 (median of 5 quotes)
    • filed 2018–2026

    Complaints describe a clicking or clunking felt through the steering wheel when turning, and in some cases noticeable play or looseness in the wheel. Owners say a dealer or mechanic identified the steering coupler as the cause and quoted replacement; several note the same part has been recalled on other models but not on this one. Reported from roughly 50,000 to 85,000 miles, at low speed and while turning.

    What to check: With the car stopped, turn the wheel slightly side to side and listen and feel for a click or free play. Ask whether the steering coupler has been replaced and get the alignment checked if there is any looseness.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “The steering coupler on my vehicle is failing. This is a known problem with Hyundai and kia vehicles and there have been recalls for other models, why has there not been for my Veloster?”

    NHTSA complaint #11311667, filed 2020-02, 75,000 miles

    “The motor driven power steering (mdps) rubber coupler has failed which is a very common issue with this manufacture. This specific issue for the Veloster was left out of the latest service bulletin but other models with the same issue are included.”

    NHTSA complaint #11316060, filed 2020-03, 69,000 miles
  4. Brakes

    Brake pedal sinking to the floor / brake fluid loss

    • 34 complaints (8%)
    • median 54,500 mi at 7.4 yrs old (18 state mileage)
    • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2013–2026

    Owners describe the brake pedal going to the floor with reduced stopping, sometimes with fluid visible under the front of the car or a leak at the ABS unit, and ABS warning lights coming on. Some report the pedal losing pressure over bumps and needing to be pumped again. Several mention that an ABS module recall repair was performed but symptoms returned. Reported from about 57,000 to 73,000 miles in the sampled complaints, at low speed and when braking.

    Recall 23V651000

    What to check: Check the brake fluid level and look for fluid residue around the ABS module and under the front of the car. Ask whether the ABS module recall work was completed and whether the fuse or module has been replaced since.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Brakes lose of brake pressure when bumps are hit. Reapply brakes to regain pressure engine burning oil issues and overheating issues. This has resulted in my 1.6 l having engine failure and it is not on the recall list as the 2.0's and up are. Being that they are the same motor other than the size of pistons and turbo confuses me”

    NHTSA complaint #11387011, filed 2021-01, 91,677 miles

    “I was involved in an automobile accident while my car was in motion on a city street. My car would not brake at the red light causing a collision with an intersecting vehicle. My front is damaged and the back passenger side. Car collided twice. The airbags did not deploy.”

    NHTSA complaint #11322860, filed 2020-04, 20 miles
  5. Other or unknown

    Airbag warning light on (occupant sensor / clock spring)

    Mentioned in 5 of 60 sampled complaints

    Owners report the airbag warning light staying on, with diagnostic codes pointing to the driver-side clock spring or the occupant classification sensor. Several say the dealer quoted a repair and noted the vehicle was outside warranty; some point out similar coverage was extended to other models but not theirs. Appears from about 60,000 miles upward in the sampled complaints, with no clear pattern.

    3 related service bulletins

    What to check: Turn the key on and confirm the airbag light goes out after the bulb check; if it stays lit, ask for the stored codes. Ask whether the occupant classification sensor warranty extension applies to this vehicle and whether it has been replaced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I have a 2013 Hyundai Veloster. The airbag light on had checked show code for driver side clock spring bad. Noticed Hyundai is replacing them on 2011- 2014 elantras, sonatas, and sonatas hybrid to 15 years and unlimited mileage from date of original retail delivery or date of first use as listed on internet. What makes my 2013 Hyundai Veloster any different I same issue as vehicles listed. This is a safety issue that should be covered! Warning light came on while driving.”

    NHTSA complaint #11338384, filed 2020-07, 141,000 miles

    “The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated after getting an oil change, two days later the air bag warning light was illuminated on the control panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with the air bag needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,698.”

    NHTSA complaint #11422030, filed 2021-06, 118,698 miles

Buying note. Have a pre-purchase inspection focus on oil consumption and engine noise, the steering column for play, and the climate fan switch and wiring. Ask for service records showing whether the engine and ABS recalls or campaigns were completed, and factor in that several common complaints are repair items rather than covered recalls on this model year.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 426 consumer complaints for the 2013 Hyundai Veloster. 274 of the complaints include a mileage, and 30% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 69,000 miles. Of all complaints, 6 involved a crash, 34 a fire, 10 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 172 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 7 Hyundai Veloster model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 100 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (more complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Air bags (13), Exterior lighting (8), Suspension (8), Electronic stability control (3), Equipment (3), Seat belts (3), Wheels (3), Engine cooling (2), Forward collision avoidance (2), Tires (2), Latches, locks and linkages (1).

Example complaints

Engine: “Driving on interstate, all lights flashed on, engine light remained on and my car stalled and would not accelerate. I had to take it out of drive, put it in sport mode and then back to drive. It would shake violently if I went above 45 miles an hour, I was 130 miles from home. This is not first time this has happened, have made previous complaints”

NHTSA complaint #11210119, filed 2019-05, 101,000 miles

Electrical system: “Shortly after I purchased the vehicle, used from carmax, the lighting on the steering wheel stopped turning on and would randomly come on while driving, usually after about 10-15 minutes and while turning. . It no longer comes on at all and none of the steering wheel buttons work anymore either, nor does my horn.”

NHTSA complaint #11406206, filed 2021-04, 30,000 miles

Steering: “Forward collision warning don't work at all, and clicking sound come from the front when press the gas pedal when I press the brake, when I turn left or right, that's sound is constantly all time, I see a lot of post and same car with this problem and Hyundai don't do nothing about this, I send the car to replace the cv axles and same problem sound.”

NHTSA complaint #11408002, filed 2021-04, 75,000 miles

Other or unknown: “Riding down the interstate and heard a loud pop alomost like a gun shot, next thing I know glass was falling on me, on my seats and floors. I looked up and sunroof was shattered, nothing caused it to shatter nothing hit it. But obviously based on other complaints and Hyundai it's a defect and Hyundai isn't doing fix the problem or recall car”

NHTSA complaint #11073156, filed 2018-02, 67,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

30% of the 274 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 41,000 and 92,000 miles.

10%0–106%10–2514%25–5024%50–7526%75–10017%100–1503%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (274 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 69,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’12’14’16’1891’20’22’24’26
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2013 Hyundai Veloster version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Veloster FWD1.6L 4-cyl6-speed automatic283731$2,150
Veloster FWD1.6L 4-cyl6-speed manual273731$2,150
Veloster FWD1.6L 4-cyl6-speed manual243528$2,400
Veloster FWD1.6L 4-cyl6-speed automatic243127$2,500

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2013 Hyundai Veloster → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 172 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 172 bulletins →

Other model years of the Hyundai Veloster

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
202111—1—30—Not enough data
20202525,0001—3034 · FewerFalling
20194213,0912—3051 · TypicalRising
20175048,000053011 · FewerFalling
201622556,950153085 · MoreFalling
201513762,000252949 · TypicalStable
20148580,000252924 · FewerStable
201342669,0003—31100 · MoreFalling
201229654,9366—31100 · MoreFalling

All Hyundai Veloster model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Hyundai Veloster?

Owners of the 2013 Veloster most often write about engine trouble — excessive oil use, knocking, stalling and, in some cases, engine replacement — typically past 60,000 miles. The issues reported most often: Engine oil consumption, knocking and stalling; Climate control fan switch and wiring melting; Loose, clicking steering wheel (steering coupler).

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2013 Hyundai Veloster have?

NHTSA recorded 426 consumer complaints for the 2013 Hyundai Veloster as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2013 Hyundai Veloster is reported most often?

Engine is named most often, in 172 complaints (40% of the total), followed by electrical system with 99.

Has the 2013 Hyundai Veloster been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2013 Hyundai Veloster get?

The EPA rates the 2013 Hyundai Veloster (Veloster, 1.6L 4-cyl) at 31 mpg combined, 28 city and 37 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,150 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2013 Hyundai Veloster reported?

Among the 274 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 69,000 miles and the middle half falls between 41,000 and 92,000 miles; 30% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.