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Hyundai · NHTSA safety record

2013 Hyundai Veloster

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 423 safety complaints about the 2013 Hyundai Veloster with the US government. Of those, 6 describe a crash, 33 mention a fire, 9 people were injured and no death is recorded. 3 recall campaigns are open against it, covering the hydraulic brakes and the electrical system.

The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 171 complaints, 40% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 69,000 miles, the median across the 273 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers October 2012 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

423 complaints on file

423

Complaints

6

Describe a crash

33

Mention fire

9

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

Complaints fell 32% year on year: 13 in the twelve months to 2026-Q2, against 19 in the twelve before.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year. A further 1 defect investigation is open and unresolved.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
ENGINE 171 · 40%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 98 · 23%
STEERING 58 · 14%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 52 · 12%
POWER TRAIN 35 · 8%
VISIBILITY 24 · 6%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 21 · 5%
STRUCTURE 20 · 5%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 17 · 4%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 14 · 3%
AIR BAGS 12 · 3%
SERVICE BRAKES 12 · 3%
0 69 138

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 423.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2019 at 91.

96 72 48 24
12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2012 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA has not crash tested the 2013 Hyundai Veloster. Its New Car Assessment Program tests a selection of each year's vehicles and does not reach motorcycles, heavy trucks, motorhomes or most low-volume models, so an absence here says nothing about how the vehicle would perform. It is not a low score.

What owners have reported about this vehicle is below, and it is a different question: a crash test measures what happens to the people inside in a controlled impact, while a complaint records what broke during ordinary use.

Recall campaigns

3 on file

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

23V651000 · September 22, 2023

Park outside until repaired

The defect
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.
The risk
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The 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.

Hyundai Motor America · up to 1,649,478 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

23V132000 · February 28, 2023

The defect
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.
The risk
An electrical short circuit increases the risk of a fire.
The 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.

Hyundai Motor America · up to 25,715 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

19V204000 · March 14, 2019

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

Hyundai Motor America · up to 16,487 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations

1 on file

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

AQ23002

Still open audit query · opened November 17, 2023

the hydraulic brakes

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.

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 110,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 HYUNDAI VELOSTER. WHILE MAKING A TURN AT 40 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND TOWED FROM THE SCENE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUFFERED MINOR BRUISES THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. AN UNKNOWN DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA complaint 11202951. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 injured · crash · towed · 20 miles

I WAS INVOLVED IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT WHILE MY CAR WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET. MY CAR WOULD NOT BRAKE AT THE RED LIGHT CAUSING A COLLISION WITH AN INTERSECTING VEHICLE. MY FRONT IS DAMAGED AND THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE. CAR COLLIDED TWICE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA complaint 11322860. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

1 injured · 4,000 miles

I OWN A 2013 HYUNDAI VELOSTER THAT I PURCHASED IN MAY. WHILE DRIVING OVER THE TAPPAN ZEE BRIDGE, THIS MORNING, MY SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING. I WAS IN SHOCK, COVERED IN GLASS AND UNABLE TO PULL OVER UNTIL I REACHED THE TOLL PLAZA, THE THERE IS NO STOPPING ON THE BRIDGE. I CALLED MY DEALER AND THEY ADVISED ME THAT IT WAS A "KNOWN ISSUE" BUT THAT MY CAR HAD NOT BEEN RECALLED AND THEY WERE NOT SURE WHY. THE TOW-SERVICE THAT IS USED FOR THE THRUWAY AUTHORITY COULD NOT TAKE ME TO MY DEALER AND ONLY TO THE NEAREST ONE, WHICH IS WHITE PLAINS HYUNDAI. THEY ALSO ADVISED ME THAT IT IS A "KNOWN ISSUE" AND HAS TO DO WITH THE GLASS. AGAIN, THEY CONFIRMED THAT MY VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM

NHTSA complaint 10536372, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

1 injured · 32,000 miles

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 83 IN PHARR, TX, I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION SUDDENLY AND WIND HOWLING; I IMMEDIATELY SET MY HAZARDS TO ALERT THE VEHICLES NEAR ME AS I THOUGHT I WAS IN A WRECK. I LOOKED UP TO DISCOVER THAT MY PANORAMIC SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED AND SHARDS OF GLASS WERE FLYING BOTH BEHIND MY VEHICLE AND INSIDE MY VEHICLE. I ENDED UP WITH MINOR CUTS AND SCRAPES AS A RESULT. I CALLED HYUNDAI, BUT THEY STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT LIKELY PART OF AN EARLIER RECALL IN 2013 FOR SHATTERING PANORAMIC SUNROOFS. FOR THE EXTENT OF DAMAGE DONE, THERE IS NO POSSIBLE WAY I COULDN'T HAVE HEARD A ROCK OF THAT SIZE HIT MY VEHICLE DIRECTLY ON MY SUNROOF STRONG ENOUGH TO SMASH THROUGH THE LAYERS OF MY

NHTSA complaint 10566546, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES
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 every replacement fuse, creating an imminent engine fire hazard. Hyundai Corporate has explicitly refused to remedy the underlying defective component causing this fire hazard, only offering to replace the blown fuse. This is a direct failure by the manufacturer to safely remedy a federally recalled defect."

NHTSA complaint 11765616. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

90,000 miles

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 making left turns. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that an engine cleaning was needed; however, the service was not performed. The vehicle was later returned to the same dealer, where the same diagnosis was provided. The service was performed, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

NHTSA complaint 11760874. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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 Incomplete This recall is from September 22, 2023. It's been nearly 3 years. Our vehicle also has an issue with the headlight constantly going out and the battery being drained. I'm not sure if this is related to this particular recall or just a totally new issue to deal with.

NHTSA complaint 11759846. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

fire · towed

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 Department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was later towed to an impound lot where it was deemed a total loss. No injuries were reported. A police report was filed. A nearby roadside electrical box was damaged due to the heat from the fire. Prior to the fire, the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V132000 (Electrical System). The contact was informed by the dealer that the vehicle did not have a parking sensor, and the recall

NHTSA complaint 11754371, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Ac selector switch burnt up

NHTSA complaint 11745380. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
The car goes into limp mode in the middle of driving on the interstate or usually at higher speeds and loses speed quickly. This has put me at high risk for accidents when traveling between cities and has left me stranded on dangerous parts of the interstate at times. I have taken it to my Hyundai dealer I bought the car from and they said there is a knock in the engine and the whole engine would need replaced and I cannot afford that ($12k) but the car only has 125k miles on it and I want to keep it for as long as possible because it’s my baby. I do not think it has been inspected by anyone but my dealer yet but I am willing to let anyone look at it in order to get it fixed without paying

NHTSA complaint 11733080, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Hyundai Veloster

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2021 11 1 —
2020 24 1 —
2019 42 2 —
2017 50 0 —
2016 222 1 —
2015 137 2 —
2014 85 2 —
2012 296 6 —

Other 2013 Hyundai models

Sonata 1,911 Elantra 1,314 Santa FE 605 Tucson 266 Santa FE Sport 199 Accent 141 Genesis 126 Azera 112

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Hyundai on this site — 205 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst