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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.

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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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Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2023
Engine

Unknown. I was driving my car home after work and basically the engine blew a piston out of the side of the engine while going 20mph, was just driving normally them a loud boom sounded like I hit a pothole or something but their where no objects in the road. And in my review I seen a trail of oil and one the car stopped all the…

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Unknown. I was driving my car home after work and basically the engine blew a piston out of the side of the engine while going 20mph, was just driving normally them a loud boom sounded like I hit a pothole or something but their where no objects in the road. And in my review I seen a trail of oil and one the car stopped all the oil was dripping from the underneath the car. The car had been sending a check engine light/coil misfire. And from what I know the recall is for some type of misfire code. I got no help from the dealer as to why my engine blew up other than it was my fault I lost the car in a accident and don’t have it anymore but I put in 7,000-10,000 on a turbo system and refurbished engine. And I strongly believe it has something to do with the recall at hand But I had no choice at the time and the recall didn’t come to me till after I lost the car.

NHTSA ODI #11539973

Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2023
EngineUnknown Or Other

I've been going through this with Hyundai for over a year I own a 2013 Hyundai Veloster with 52000 me this car in 2019 had an engine management component recall my engine blew as in the heads blew the oil and the water and cooling are mixing

NHTSA ODI #11538280

Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2023
EngineFuel/propulsion System

The engine is burning oil after couple days of change engine oil. The oil engine light will flash after a week or two after changing the oil. Thank you

NHTSA ODI #11533827

127,000 miles · Jun 14, 2023
EngineLatches/locks/linkagesSuspension

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, there was a knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the camshaft and timing belt was faulty. The vehicle was not yet repaired. Additio…

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The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, there was a knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the camshaft and timing belt was faulty. The vehicle was not yet repaired. Additionally, the contact stated the front passenger’s side wheel was shaking and vibrating abnormally while driving, the hood release latch was unsecure, and the passenger’s side door handle had detached. The contact stated that the windows would randomly roll up and down without input from the driver. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 127,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI #11526949

Mileage unknown · May 20, 2023
Engine

Unknown. Yesterday May, 19th we were driving when the check engine light started flashing, the car started runing rough, misfiring, and there was a burning smell. On top of that our car has been burning too much oil and gass. As of right now we have an appt to have it towed to, and have it serviced at our local Hyundai dealershi…

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Unknown. Yesterday May, 19th we were driving when the check engine light started flashing, the car started runing rough, misfiring, and there was a burning smell. On top of that our car has been burning too much oil and gass. As of right now we have an appt to have it towed to, and have it serviced at our local Hyundai dealership in Racine, Wi for our 2013 Veloster turbo. Our issue is that there is a recall on later models for engine failures, for the very same symptoms, but not ours for some reason.

NHTSA ODI #11522997

Mileage unknown · May 5, 2023
Engine

On 9/27/2022, I wrote a letter to the NHTSA (which was published in a PDF) outlining the reasons why all Veloster's (2011-2014) equipped with 1.6 L GDI engines are having Detonation And Catastrophic Failures. To sum it up, the real reason is the compression ratio is "much higher" than recommended for use with Regular 87 Octane F…

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On 9/27/2022, I wrote a letter to the NHTSA (which was published in a PDF) outlining the reasons why all Veloster's (2011-2014) equipped with 1.6 L GDI engines are having Detonation And Catastrophic Failures. To sum it up, the real reason is the compression ratio is "much higher" than recommended for use with Regular 87 Octane Fuel. The compression ratio in the Base Model is: 11:1 and the Turbo Equipped Model is: 10:1. A compression ratio of 11:1 is "boarder line" for 105 Octane Race Fuel. The 11:1 compression ratio creates a Higher Combustion Chamber Temperature, which ignites the fuel air mixture before the Piston Reaches TDC. This causes excessive pressure on the Pistons and Rods, because the cylinder is firing while the Piston Is In It's Upward Travel. While even though the compression ratio is lower for the Turbo Model, the Turbo Boost creates a higher cylinder pressure. That higher cylinder pressure combined with the detonation issues caused by the Low Octane Fuel, creates excessive pressure on the Pistons And Connecting Rods. This is what is causing these engines to fail! Hyundai has since installed a Dual CVVT Phase Regulator which lowers the Compression (by bleeding off Cylinder pressure) when the Knock Sensor detects Detonation. This is on all replacement GDI Engines. Many of the Hyundai And Kia Models use these same engines. Many of those models have already been recalled, but due to "Under Performing Sales" ours have not. The Veloster did not really "take off" until 2015. That's why the 2015-2016 Models (with the same engine) have Engine Recalls. If you have heard a Continuous Engine Knock your Engine already has Internal Engine Damage, but everyone who owns one of these Veloster's (that is still in running condition) should Immediately switch to Premium Fuel. Premium Fuel will help Prevent Detonation, And Temporarily Prevent Engine Failure. All of these Engines need to be Immediately Recalled, to provide for The Safety Of Our Family And Ourselves!

NHTSA ODI #11520619

Mileage unknown · May 3, 2023
Engine

Engine consumes a quart of oil every 1-2 weeks. Burning through oil like crazy in-between oil changes, feels sluggish on low gears, stalls, rattling noise. Mass oil consumption damages rods causing other engine issues such as punctures in n engine block.

NHTSA ODI #11520318

Mileage unknown · Apr 28, 2023
EngineFuel/propulsion System

I was on the freeway and the car stalled almost causing a major accident took the shop they said I need to replace engine coils and spark plug’s replaced and in a few weeks on the freeway on the way to work it stalled again took back to the shop they checked my spark plugs and engine coils they were burnt and black they said e…

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I was on the freeway and the car stalled almost causing a major accident took the shop they said I need to replace engine coils and spark plug’s replaced and in a few weeks on the freeway on the way to work it stalled again took back to the shop they checked my spark plugs and engine coils they were burnt and black they said engine failure cylinder 2 it’s been in shop 6 times now they say I need a engine

NHTSA ODI #11519369

Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2023
Engine

Due to Recall 182. I was driving and without warning my car slowed down to 40 mph from 70 mph and thecheck engine came on. I had the car towed to Midas who informed me of a recall that had caused a pressure build up in the piston which caused the engine to fail. The rate at which the car slowed was unbelievable and almost ca…

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Due to Recall 182. I was driving and without warning my car slowed down to 40 mph from 70 mph and thecheck engine came on. I had the car towed to Midas who informed me of a recall that had caused a pressure build up in the piston which caused the engine to fail. The rate at which the car slowed was unbelievable and almost caused the car behind me to rear-end my car. The dealership refuses to fix the car stating that it is not under warranty. The engine failure happened at 86,000 miles. I got to drive this car for all of 3 months and it has been at the dealership for 5 months.

NHTSA ODI #11518812

Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 2023
Engine

The engine in these vehicles is well-known for rod bearing failure taking out the entire engine, there is also a recall that states it can cause engine damage. Hyundai has recalled these engines for all years but 2013, and has left these owners out to dry. Dealers are quoting $15,000 to put in a USED engine with no guarantee i…

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The engine in these vehicles is well-known for rod bearing failure taking out the entire engine, there is also a recall that states it can cause engine damage. Hyundai has recalled these engines for all years but 2013, and has left these owners out to dry. Dealers are quoting $15,000 to put in a USED engine with no guarantee it will not have the same problem. Hyundai of America refuses to help and tries to escape culpability because they voided the 100,000 mile warranty as I'm not the original ownew who also had a supplementary warranty. Engine failure has the obvious risk of a major safety issue, a dealer verifies the engine is in need of replacement, the engine has failed with no warning.

NHTSA ODI #11518040

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.