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2013 Hyundai Veloster

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Veloster years

Owner complaints for the 2013 Hyundai Veloster are substantially higher than the model-year median of 85.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

273 reports with mileage · 149 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 171 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 97 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 58 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports33 fire reports9 injury reports

Engine complaints

171 reports
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98,000 miles · Aug 17, 2020
EngineFire

DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING FLEW UNDER MY CAR AND SUDDENLY STARTED SMOKING AND A FLAME CAME OUT. THERE WAS LOUD BANGING UNDER THE HOOD: LIKE A BOOM. WE PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY BEFORE IT COMPLETELY DIED AND IT CAUGHT SPARKS. WE DO NOT HAVE ANY PHOTOS SINCE THIS HAPPENED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT.

NHTSA ODI #11349757

67,000 miles · Aug 14, 2020
EnginePower Train

TO MAKE A VERY LONG STORY SHORT, I HAD TO GET MY ENGINE REPLACED IN LATE 2017 DUE TO THE ENGINE THROWING A ROD. IT TOOK 3 MONTHS TO REPAIR BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP WAS BEHIND DUE TO OTHER PEOPLE HAVING ENGINE MALFUNCTIONS. AFTER MY HUSBAND DROVE MY CAR OFF THE LOT, MY CAR WAS SOUNDING A LITTLE FUNNY, ALMOST LIKE A SUCKING NOSE THA…

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TO MAKE A VERY LONG STORY SHORT, I HAD TO GET MY ENGINE REPLACED IN LATE 2017 DUE TO THE ENGINE THROWING A ROD. IT TOOK 3 MONTHS TO REPAIR BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP WAS BEHIND DUE TO OTHER PEOPLE HAVING ENGINE MALFUNCTIONS. AFTER MY HUSBAND DROVE MY CAR OFF THE LOT, MY CAR WAS SOUNDING A LITTLE FUNNY, ALMOST LIKE A SUCKING NOSE THAT WE ENDED UP HAVING TO TAKE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM TELL ME THAT I NEEDED TO PAY A DIAGNOSTIC CHARGE EVEN THOUGH MY CAR WAS WELL UNDER WARRANTY LIMIT. I ENDED UP SPEAKING WITH THE MANAGER AND HE HAD THE TECHNICIAN LOOK AT IT TO ONLY BE TOLD IT WAS NOTHING ENGINE RELATED EVEN THOUGH MY ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON! A FEW MONTHS AFTER THAT, MY CAR STARTED LOSING POWER AND WAS INOPERABLE. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT I NEEDED ANOTHER ENGINE REPLACEMENT DUE TO LOW PRESSURE IN ONE CYLINDER! THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO PAY SINCE THEY ALREADY TOOK CARE OF IT THE FIRST TIME. WE ALSO FOUND OUT THAT THROUGH OUR ADVISOR AT THE SERVICE CENTER DEALERSHIP THAT SHE HAS AN EMAIL STATING THAT FAULTY PARTS WERE USED DURING THE FIRST ENGINE 'REPAIR'. ME AND MY HUSBAND HAD TO LEAVE MY CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP SINCE IT WAS NOT DRIVE-ABLE AND THEY ENDED UP SELLING THE VEHICLE AT AUCTION FOR $1700 IN FEBRUARY 2019. DURING THE SAME MONTH A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON THE VEHICLE. I HAVE A RECALL NUMBER AND HAVE SPOKE TO 3 DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS TO SEE WHAT I CAN DO TO RESOLVE THE BALANCE I HAVE LEFT TO PAY ON THE CAR OF $8710. I KNEW THERE MUST HAVE BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE THE LAST FEW TIMES I'VE WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP THERE WERE A LOT OF VEHICLES NEEDING ENGINE REPLACEMENTS. THIS HAS BEEN FRUSTRATING TO DEAL WITH THE PAST FEW YEARS AND IT'S AFFECTING MY CREDIT AND I NEED IT RESOLVED ESPECIALLY SINCE THIS WAS NOT OUR FAULTS AND WE WERE DENIED THE USE OF THE WARRANTY WE WERE PAYING FOR.

NHTSA ODI #11349246

95,000 miles · Jul 28, 2020
EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI VELOSTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM A THIRD PARTY AND THE ENGINE SEIZED AND BLOW WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY ON CRUSE CONTROL AT 80 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS FRIENDS BEHIND IN ANOTHER VEHICLE SAW A METAL PART FLEW OUT FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI VELOSTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM A THIRD PARTY AND THE ENGINE SEIZED AND BLOW WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY ON CRUSE CONTROL AT 80 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS FRIENDS BEHIND IN ANOTHER VEHICLE SAW A METAL PART FLEW OUT FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE WITH SPARK. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STATED BY THE TIME HE HAD COSTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD; THE FIRE HAD GONE OUT. NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE HIS DAD'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VIN WAS PART OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V204000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,000.

NHTSA ODI #11341791

108,000 miles · Jul 27, 2020
EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI VELOSTER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE LOST POWER SUDDENLY WITHOUT NO WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS FINALLY ABLE TO MOVE OVER TO THE SHOULDER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THEN CAME ON AND THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE FLUID LEVELS AND TRIED TO RESTART THE VE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI VELOSTER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE LOST POWER SUDDENLY WITHOUT NO WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS FINALLY ABLE TO MOVE OVER TO THE SHOULDER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THEN CAME ON AND THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE FLUID LEVELS AND TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND IT RATTLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO FINALLY DISCOVERED THERE WAS A SMALL FIRE IN THE ENGINE. THE FIRE WAS DISCOVERED WITH THE HOLE BURNT INTO THE PISTON WITH A SPECIAL CAMERA. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALLS AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THEY SAID THEY MAY HELP WITH THE REPAIRS AFTER A DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT AND RECEIVED A FILE NUMBER WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY STILL SITTING UNREPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S HOUSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000. Dealer stated fire most likely occurred because fire that burned a hole in the 3rd cylinder piston. Consumer stated vehicle was given back to bank repo.

NHTSA ODI #11341671

93,000 miles · Jul 11, 2020
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

I BOUGHT A 2013HYUNDAI VELOSTER IN APRIL OF 2019 WITH IN THE FIRST 2 DAYS OF HAVING CAR IT STOPPING ACCELERATING AN LEFT ME ON THE SIDE OF ROAD. I HAD TO CAR TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CAR WAS BOUGHT . AFTER THEM LOOKING IN TO THE PROBLEM THEY ENDED UP REPLACING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE CAR RAN FINE FOR ABOUT ANOTHER…

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I BOUGHT A 2013HYUNDAI VELOSTER IN APRIL OF 2019 WITH IN THE FIRST 2 DAYS OF HAVING CAR IT STOPPING ACCELERATING AN LEFT ME ON THE SIDE OF ROAD. I HAD TO CAR TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CAR WAS BOUGHT . AFTER THEM LOOKING IN TO THE PROBLEM THEY ENDED UP REPLACING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE CAR RAN FINE FOR ABOUT ANOTHER 5 TO 6 MONTHS. THEN ONE DAY BAD ROUGH IDEL RPMS DROPPING WHEN UNDER ACCELERATION AFTER PUTTING ON CODE READER IT TURNED OUT TO BE A MISFIRE I THEN REPLACE COIL PACK AND SPARK PLUGS. THE VELOSTER RAN FINE FOR ABOUT 3 TO 4 MONTHS THIS TIME. NOW WE ARE BACK TO THE CAR HAVING ISSUES TODAY 7/11/20 LOSS OF POWER UNDER ACCELERATION,ROUGH IDEL,KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM ENGINE. I HAVE CONTACTED HYUNDAI IN THE PAST ON THE 2013 ECU RECALL THEY DID NOT WANT TO HONOR THERE RECALL SAYING IN ORDER TO LOOK IN TO THE PROBLEM I'D NEED TO GET IT DIAGNOSED THROUGH THE DEALER WHEN I CAN SIMPLY USE MY OWE CODE READER. IT HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE I BOUGHT WITH ONLY 63000 MILES THIS IS FRUSTRATING IS THERE ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE FOR HYUNDAI TO HONOR THERE RECALL THANK YOU .

NHTSA ODI #11338827

67,500 miles · Jul 7, 2020
Engine

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 ODI #11337919

44,600 miles · Jun 21, 2020
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING, CAR TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED, EVEN THOUGH ENGINE RUNNING. INSTRUMENT TACH READ 0, INSTRUMENTS PANEL SEEMED DEAD. ABLE TO RESTART ENGINE TWICE BUT UNABLE TO MOVE. EXITED CAR AND LOCKED, WAITED 30 SECS. ABLE TO RESTART CAR AGAIN THEN DRIVE. HAS HAPPENED TWICE WITHIN 5 MILES OF HOME.

NHTSA ODI #11329910

60,000 miles · May 19, 2020
Engine

ENGINE IS CONSUMING TOO MUCH OIL. LESS THAN 1100 MILES INTO DRIVING WITH A FRESH TANK OF OIL IT IS EMPTY. WE'VE DONE THIS NOW 3 TIMES IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS. MECHANIC SAYS IT IS NOT A GOOD SIGN AND TO BRING IT INTO HYUNDAI. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11325102

62,000 miles · May 18, 2020
EngineUnknown Or Other

THE CAR STALLS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. AS I COME TO A RED LIGHT, OR TRY TO ACCELERATE WHEN A LIGHT TURNS GREEN THE CAR STALLS. TAKES A FEW RESTARTS / A FEW MINUTES TO WORK AGAIN. BUT THEN HAPPENS SOON AFTER. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A FEW DAYS NOW AND I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A ONE OFF SITUATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11325051

58,000 miles · May 13, 2020
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

TO MAKE A VERY LONG STORY SHORT, I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND MY CAR SUDDENLY EXPLODED AND OIL SPEWED OUT TOWARDS THE REAR. I HAD TO GET MY ENGINE REPLACED IN LATE 2017 DUE TO THE ENGINE THROWING A ROD. IT TOOK 3 MONTHS TO REPAIR BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP WAS BEHIND DUE TO OTHER PEOPLE HAVING ENGINE MALFUNCTIONS. IT TOOK WEEKS TO GET …

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TO MAKE A VERY LONG STORY SHORT, I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND MY CAR SUDDENLY EXPLODED AND OIL SPEWED OUT TOWARDS THE REAR. I HAD TO GET MY ENGINE REPLACED IN LATE 2017 DUE TO THE ENGINE THROWING A ROD. IT TOOK 3 MONTHS TO REPAIR BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP WAS BEHIND DUE TO OTHER PEOPLE HAVING ENGINE MALFUNCTIONS. IT TOOK WEEKS TO GET A RENTAL WHICH WAS HECTIC BECAUSE ME AND MY HUSBAND BOTH WORKED AND COMMUTED WITH A 2-YEAR OLD. AFTER MY HUSBAND DROVE MY CAR OFF THE LOT, MY CAR WAS SOUNDING A LITTLE FUNNY, ALMOST LIKE A SUCKING NOSE THAT WE ENDED UP HAVING TO TAKE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM TELL ME THAT I NEEDED TO PAY A DIAGNOSTIC CHARGE EVEN THOUGH MY CAR WAS WELL UNDER WARRANTY LIMIT. I ENDED UP SPEAKING WITH THE MANAGER AND HE HAD THE TECHNICIAN LOOK AT IT TO ONLY BE TOLD IT WAS NOTHING ENGINE RELATED EVEN THOUGH MY ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON! A FEW MONTHS AFTER THAT, MY CAR STARTED LOSING POWER AND WAS INOPERABLE. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT I NEEDED ANOTHER ENGINE REPLACEMENT! THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO PAY SINCE THEY ALREADY TOOK CARE OF IT THE FIRST TIME. THE COST TO REPAIR WOULD HAVE BEEN OVER WHAT THE VALUE OF MY CAR IS. ME AND MY HUSBAND HAD TO LEAVE MY CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP SINCE IT WAS NOT DRIVE-ABLE AND THEY ENDED UP SELLING THE VEHICLE AT AUCTION FOR $1700 IN FEBRUARY 2019. I RECENTLY JUST FOUND OUT THAT MY CAR IS UNDER RECALL FOR THE SAME REASONS IT WAS IN THE SHOP THE FIRST 3 TIMES. HYUNDAI CONCLUDES THAT THE 2013 VELOSTER WERE HAVING ENGINE AND MECHANICAL ISSUES. I HAVE A RECALL NUMBER AND HAVE SPOKE TO 3 DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS TO SEE WHAT I CAN DO TO RESOLVE THE BALANCE I HAVE LEFT TO PAY ON THE CAR OF $8710. I KNEW THERE MUST HAVE BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE THE LAST FEW TIMES I'VE WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP THERE WERE A LOT OF VEHICLES NEEDING ENGINE REPLACEMENTS. THIS HAS BEEN FRUSTRATING TO DEAL WITH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11324395

Official recalls

3

23V651000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Sep 22, 2023

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. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

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. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.

23V132000 · Electrical System

Feb 28, 2023

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An electrical short circuit increases the risk of a fire.

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. Hyundai's number for this recall is 242.

19V204000 · Electrical System:software; Engine

Mar 14, 2019

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Engine damage can increase the risk of a fire or cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

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. Hyundai's number for this recall is 182.

Additional source detail variants (2)

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.

Consequence: Engine damage can increase the risk of a fire or cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

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. Hyundai's number for this recall is 182.

Electrical System:software

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.

Consequence: Engine damage can increase the risk of a fire or cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

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. Hyundai's number for this recall is 182.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

AQ23002 · Hyundai And Kia Abs Module Fires

Opened Nov 17, 2023 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

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. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.