Most common 2013 Hyundai Veloster problems
Share of the 426 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Hyundai Veloster complaints by model year
Best Veloster years: 2017, 2014, 2019. Years to avoid: 2013, 2012, 2016. Compare all years →
2013 Hyundai Veloster recalls (3)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge.
Electrical system
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Veloster vehicles. High conductive liquid may leak into the Reverse Park Aid Sensor (RPAS), which can result in an electrical short circuit.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the RPAS fuse and sensor, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 28, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.
Engine
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013 Veloster vehicles that are equipped with 1.6 liter turbo engines. The engine management software may cause premature ignition (pre-ignition) of the air/fuel mixture in the engine. The resulting excessive cylinder pressure may damage the engine.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will update the engine management software, free of charge. The recall began May 14, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2013 Hyundai Veloster:
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando.
What 2013 Hyundai Veloster owners say
Engine & cooling all 174 →
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated while her husband was driving approximately 20-25 mph, he heard an abnormally loud sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle started to shake with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated her husband was able to pull to the side of the road, where he noticed that smoke was coming from under the hood. Additionally, there was oil leaking from the engine. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that there was a large hole in the cylinder block. The fire was started due to a mixture of fuel and oil. The contact was informed by the mechanic that the failure was related to NHTSA campaign number: 19V204000 (Electrical System, Engine) however, the recall repair was already completed on the vehicle. …
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming 3 quarts of oil every 3,500 miles. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she heard an abnormal sound and pulled to the side of the road. The contact stated that upon inspecting the engine oil level, there was no oil on the dipstick. The contact stated that the low oil pressure warning light failed to illuminate. The contact then pulled into the nearest gas station, where oil was added to the engine. The contact stated that the low oil pressure warning light had failed to illuminate while the engine oil level was low on several occasions. …
Electrical system all 99 →
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming 3 quarts of oil every 3,500 miles. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she heard an abnormal sound and pulled to the side of the road. The contact stated that upon inspecting the engine oil level, there was no oil on the dipstick. The contact stated that the low oil pressure warning light failed to illuminate. The contact then pulled into the nearest gas station, where oil was added to the engine. The contact stated that the low oil pressure warning light had failed to illuminate while the engine oil level was low on several occasions. …
On or about May 1, 2025, I was operating my 2013 Hyundai Veloster when flames were observed emanating from under the hood. I immediately pulled into the median and, upon opening the hood, observed an active fire beneath the plastic engine cover. I contacted 911. Before the fire department arrived, a passerby extinguished the flames with a fire extinguisher. Firefighters from a nearby station arrived shortly thereafter and fully doused the engine compartment. The vehicle was subsequently towed to a Hyundai dealership. At that time, I was aware of an active recall related to potential brake line issues that could result in an engine compartment fire. After the vehicle remained at the dealership for an extended period, I was informed that Hyundai Motor America ("HMA") would send an inspector. …
Steering all 59 →
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated while driving approximately at 65 MPH, the steering wheel was loose, and she was unable to have control of the steering. The vehicle was to a local independent mechanic. There was a steering wheel failure diagnosis. The mechanic stated there was a recall with a different model. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number 16V190000 (Steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, she heard an abnormal clicking sound emanating from the front of the vehicle, after which she became aware that there was excessive left and right play in the steering wheel. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not assist. The failure mileage was 67,000.
2013 Hyundai Veloster engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-cyl | 6-speed dual-clutch | FWD | 28 / 37 / 31 |
| 1.6L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | FWD | 27 / 37 / 31 |
| 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed manual | FWD | 24 / 35 / 28 |
| 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 24 / 31 / 27 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2013 Hyundai Veloster a good car?
Based on 426 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Veloster rates avoid: 2.7× as many complaints as a typical year of the Veloster at the same age. It is one of the Veloster years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2013 Hyundai Veloster?
The engine & cooling — 174 complaints, 41% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the electrical system (99) and steering (59).
How many recalls does the 2013 Hyundai Veloster have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2013 Hyundai Veloster, the most recent from September 22, 2023 (control unit/module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Hyundai Veloster?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2017, 2014 and 2019. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2013, 2012 and 2016. See the full Hyundai Veloster years comparison.
At what mileage do 2013 Hyundai Veloster problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 69,000 miles; 30% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.