Is the 2013 Hyundai Veloster a bad year?
427 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 174, 8.3× a quiet Veloster year.
Consider selling
Half of all engine complaints about the 2013 Hyundai Veloster were filed between 62k and 104k miles. You're at 86,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2013 Veloster owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 86,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 174 (41%) | 62k–104k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 99 (23%) | 44k–92k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 35 (8%) | 21k–96k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Brakes | 30 (7%) | 25k–90k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Air bags | 13 (3%) | 43k–111k miles · around this mileage | — |
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 59 (14%) | 34k–78k miles · mostly behind | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Visibility and wipers | 36 (8%) | 27k–81k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Body structure | 20 (5%) | 8k–65k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Speed control | 14 (3%) | 10k–79k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Fuel system | 23 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 8 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 8 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 86,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 427 complaints: 6 mention a crash · 34 mention a fire · 10 report an injury · 25 say the car was towed.
17 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
During a normal drive from work, the car hesitated to accelerate from sitting at the red street light and white smoke began to come out of the exhaust pipe.
While driving at 65+ MPH on a major highway, car suddenly lost all power. I pulled over and all lights on cluster popped on at the same time (Check engine, low oil, low tire pressure, low battery, etc), and then lights turned off.
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.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 86,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2013 Hyundai Veloster: 3
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. An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
High conductive liquid may leak into the Reverse Park Aid Sensor (RPAS), which can result in an electrical short circuit. An electrical short circuit increases the risk of a fire.
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. Engine damage can increase the risk of a fire or cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Hyundai: 149
Repair instructions Hyundai sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2013 Hyundai Veloster. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
This TSB references the Op codes to use for claim submission and the Parts required based on the vehicle's inspection results from TSB 22-01-023H (DTC P1326…
Hyundai is conducting a campaign to enhance the knock sensor software to detect abnormal engine bearing noise before potentially severe engine damage occurs
Diagnose and replace, if necessary, an automatic transmission with Incorrect Ratio DTC (transmission clutch slip in gear above limit) listed on Page 2
Some vehicles may experience the Check Engine warning lamp illuminated with DTC P1326 and/or an engine concern/noise related to connecting rod bearing wear…
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
Neighbouring years
2012 Veloster: 296 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2014 Veloster: 85 complaints, keep it.
Every Hyundai Veloster year
2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · All Veloster years side by side
Other Hyundai models: Hyundai Accent · Hyundai Azera · Hyundai Elantra · Hyundai Elantra Touring · Hyundai Entourage · Hyundai Genesis · Hyundai Genesis Coupe · Hyundai Ioniq 5 · Hyundai Kona · Hyundai Kona Electric · Hyundai Palisade · Hyundai Santa Cruz · Hyundai Santa Fe · Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid · Hyundai Santa Fe Sport · Hyundai Sonata · Hyundai Sonata Hybrid · Hyundai Tiburon · Hyundai Tucson · Hyundai Tucson Hybrid · Hyundai Veracruz · Hyundai XG350. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2013 Hyundai Veloster a bad year?
427 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 174, 8.3× a quiet Veloster year. At 86,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all engine complaints about the 2013 Hyundai Veloster were filed between 62k and 104k miles. You're at 86,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Hyundai Veloster?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (174), electrical system (99), transmission and drivetrain (35), brakes (30), air bags (13). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 62k–104k miles.
How many recalls does the 2013 Hyundai Veloster have?
3 recall campaigns list this model year: Brakes (NHTSA 23V-651), Electrical system (NHTSA 23V-132), Engine (NHTSA 19V-204). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.