Reliable Auto DB

2013 Hyundai Veloster reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2013 Hyundai Veloster holds 423 complaints after 14 years, a rate of 21 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Veloster years here — over the median of the other years, which is 4. NHTSA has 3 recalls on file, including Brake control module, Electrical system, and Electrical system, software.

2012 Hyundai Veloster
Photo by Kevauto, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

423

Per year

21

Recalls

3

Years on the road

14

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (171 of 423), then Electrical system (98) and Steering (58). Those filings include 6 that report a crash, 33 that report a fire, and 9 that report an injury.

Next to 2012 and 2014

The 2012 Veloster has 296 complaints, 31 per year, and the 2014 has 85 complaints, 2 per year. The 2013 has fewer complaints per year than the 2012. The 2013 has more complaints per year than the 2014.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2013 Hyundai Veloster. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (3)

Recall Brake control module 2023-09-22 · NHTSA campaign 23V651000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall Electrical system 2023-02-28 · NHTSA campaign 23V132000
Summary 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. Hyundai's number for this recall is 242.
Recall electrical system, software 2019-03-14 · NHTSA campaign 19V204000
Summary 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. Hyundai's number for this recall is 182.

Complaints by component (423 total)

Engine
171
Electrical system
98
Steering
58
Powertrain
35
Visibility
24
Fuel and propulsion system
21
Structure
20
Hydraulic brakes
17
Speed control
14
Air bags
12
Service brakes
12
Visibility and wipers
12
Exterior lighting
8
Suspension
8
Electronic stability control (ESC)
3
Seat belts
3
Wheels
3
Adaptive and mobility equipment
2
Engine and engine cooling
2
Equipment
2
Forward collision avoidance
2
Tires
2
Fuel system, gasoline
1
Latches, locks, and linkages
1
Show 16 more Show less
Crash-flagged

6

Fire-flagged

33

Injury reports

9

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

3201219201322201418201582016142017242018912019522020412021322022432023292024152025122026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "My 2013 Hyundai Veloster experienced a catastrophic failure of the ABS module covered under Recall 23V-651 (Campaign 251). The brakes went completely to the floor while operating, and the ABS module is shorting out…"
    Electrical system, Service brakes · filed 2026-09-20
  • "The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds on several occasions, abnormal sounds emanated from the engine compartment, and the check oil light illuminated while…"
    Engine · filed 2026-08-31
  • "Complaint: Manufacture has not remedied the issue in a timely manner. No incident YET but we limit driving the vehicle because of: Manufacturer Recall Number251 NHTSA Recall Number23V651000 Recall Status Recall…"
    Unknown or other · filed 2026-08-26
  • "The contact's daughter owns a 2013 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, it caught on fire. The vehicle became engulfed in flames, and the authorities were called to the scene. The Fire…"
    Hydraulic brakes · filed 2026-08-03
  • "Ac selector switch burnt up"
    Electrical system · filed 2026-06-20

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2013 Hyundai Veloster 2 DR FWD Not rated Not rated Not rated Not rated

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Veloster 1.6L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed Front-wheel drive 24 35 28 MPG $2300
Veloster 1.6L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 28 37 31 MPG $2100
Veloster 1.6L, 4-cyl Automatic 6-speed Front-wheel drive 24 31 27 MPG $2400
Veloster 1.6L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed Front-wheel drive 27 37 31 MPG $2100

Specs and fitment

1st generation, 2012–2017
Body styles Hatchback
Oil 5W-20/5W-30 (1.6L NA); 5W-30/5W-40 (1.6L turbo) , 3.8 qt capacity
Tire size 215/45R17, 215/40R18 (trim dependent)

Compare

Previous year 2012 Hyundai Veloster Next year 2014 Hyundai Veloster See every Hyundai Veloster model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Hyundai Veloster reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2013 Hyundai Veloster holds 423 complaints after 14 years, a rate of 21 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Veloster years here — over the median of the other years, which is 4. NHTSA has 3 recalls on file, including Brake control module, Electrical system, and Electrical system, software.

What are common problems with a 2013 Hyundai Veloster?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (171 of 423), then Electrical system (98) and Steering (58). Those filings include 6 that report a crash, 33 that report a fire, and 9 that report an injury.

Is the 2013 Hyundai Veloster more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2012 Veloster has 296 complaints, 31 per year, and the 2014 has 85 complaints, 2 per year. The 2013 has fewer complaints per year than the 2012. The 2013 has more complaints per year than the 2014.

Has the 2013 Hyundai Veloster been recalled?

The 2013 Hyundai Veloster has 3 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2013 Hyundai Veloster?

Owners have filed 423 complaints about the 2013 Hyundai Veloster with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2013 Hyundai Veloster get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2013 Hyundai Veloster is 29.3 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What generation is the 2020 Hyundai Veloster?

2nd generation (2019-2021).

What oil does a Hyundai Veloster take?

Viscosity depends on engine: natural-aspirated rows often list 5W-20/5W-30; turbo rows list 5W-30/5W-40 per the manual.

What tire sizes does a Hyundai Veloster use?

Common sizes include 215/45R17 and 215/40R18; second-gen N Performance Package also lists 235/35R19.