Is the 2013 Hyundai VELOSTER reliable?

The 2013 Hyundai VELOSTER has 577 complaints filed with NHTSA (5.1x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2013 Hyundai VELOSTER?

Top problems: ENGINE (172 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (97 complaints, avg repair $500); STEERING (58 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2013 Hyundai VELOSTER?

Yes, there are 3 recall(s): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE. Contact any Hyundai dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2013 Hyundai VELOSTER?

The 2013 Hyundai VELOSTER gets 29 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1655. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2013 Hyundai VELOSTER?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2013 Hyundai VELOSTER is approximately $1,478/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2013 Hyundai VELOSTER

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2013 Hyundai VELOSTER has 577 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 5.1x the segment average of 114. The most common issue is engine problems (30% of all complaints), specifically: while traveling down the road at approximately 50 mph the crank pulley fell off the motor. this prevents the alternator, water pump and ac compressor from functioning as they are belt driven. with the alternator not functioning the batter will be drained to the point of dead (depending on what acc. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 39 fire reports filed.

39 fire reports 7 crash reports 8 injuries

577

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

5.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

172 complaints

30%

• WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH THE CRANK PULLEY FELL OFF THE MOTOR. THIS PREVENTS THE ALTERNATOR, WATER PUMP AND AC COMPRESSOR FROM FUNCTIONING AS THEY ARE BELT DRIVEN. WITH THE ALTERNATOR NOT FUNCTIONING THE BATTER WILL BE DRAINED TO THE POINT OF DEAD (DEPENDING ON WHAT ACC
• MY 2013 HYUNDAI VELOSTER ALMOST STALLED AT LEAST 3 TIMES DURING THE PAST 2 MONTHS. WHETHER I'M GOING UP A SLIGHT INCLINE (IN CALIFORNIA) OR IF ACCELERATING AFTER A STOP. I'VE RECENTLY NOTICED THAT WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER AND RADIO IS ON IT SOMETIMES WILL SPUTTER AND DROP RPMS AND NEARLY STALLS.
• IT STARTED AS SOME SMALL SHOCKS FROM DOOR AND STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE NOW SHOCKS YOU FROM JUST ABOUT ANYWHERE YOU STAND. I DID BRING IT TO THE DEALER AND AFTER HAVING FOR OVER 3 DAYS ONLY A OIL CHANGE HAD BEEN DONE. I ASKED TO PICK UP FOR A APPT. I HAD ON SUNDAY AND ALL THREE PAGES OF WHAT WAS T

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 22 fire reports

“WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH THE CRANK PULLEY FELL OFF THE MOTOR. THIS PREVENTS THE ALTERNATOR, WATER PUMP AND AC COMPRESSOR FROM FUNCTIONING AS THEY ARE BELT DRIVEN. WITH THE ALTERNATOR NOT FUNCTIONING THE BATTER WILL BE DRAINED TO THE POINT OF DEAD (DEPENDING ON WHAT ACC”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2013 Hyundai VELOSTER

Based on 380 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 68K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

155

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

Earlier than typicalmedian 55K mi · 28 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

VISIBILITY

Earlier than typicalmedian 46K mi · 28 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SUSPENSION

Earlier than typicalmedian 11K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

LIGHTING

Earlier than typicalmedian 18K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BODY/STRUCTURE

Reported earliermedian 53K mi · 17 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 85K mi · 108 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (3)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE14/03/2019

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.

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

Fix: 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2013 Hyundai VELOSTER

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,656

Per month

$138

Per mile

13.8¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,001/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,298/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2013 Hyundai VELOSTER

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,478

Full coverage / month

$123

Liability only / year

$611

vs US avg

-12%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1478

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Hyundai VELOSTER Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

60K mi

Spark plugs

90K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

Turbo engines (1.6T, 2.0T) need premium fuel and more frequent oil (some owners service at 5,000 miles).

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Hyundai New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

5 yr / 60K mi

Powertrain

10 yr / 100K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

7 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / unlimited mi

10 years/100K powertrain warranty is transferable only to first purchaser after initial owner

These are the terms for a new Hyundai. If you're buying a used 2013 VELOSTER, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Hyundai dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 577 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH THE CRANK PULLEY FELL OFF THE MOTOR. THIS PREVENTS THE ALTERNATOR, WATER PUMP AND AC COMPRESSOR FROM FUNCTIONING AS THEY ARE BELT DRIVEN. WITH THE ALTERNATOR NOT FUNCTIONING THE BATTER WILL BE DRAINED TO THE POINT OF DEAD (DEPENDING ON WHAT ACC
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: VEHICLE IN PARK, DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW AND PASSENGER REAR DOES NOT ENGAGE TO BRING DOWN WINDOW. ALSO 2ND INCIDENT ON 10/6/2012, PASSENGER DOOR AND WINDOW DOES NOT UNLOCK TO OPEN FROM INSIDE WHEN VEHICLE PLACED IN PARK. HAVE TAKEN INTO THE DEALER TWO TIMES TO HAVE VEHICLE INSPECTED FOR FAULT. TECH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: WHEN DRIVING THE STEERING DOES NOT STAY STRAIGHT. WHEN DRIVING OVER A BUMP THE STEERING IS KNOCKED OFF BY A FEW DEGREES IT DOES NOT STRAIGHTEN OUT AGAIN (FOR EG IF IT IS KNOCKED TO 5 DEG IT WON'T GO BACK TO 0, INSTEAD IT WILL SETTLE ON 1 OR 2 DEGREES). THIS MEANS A MINOR LAPSE IN CONCENTRATION COULD
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: THE 2013 HYUNDAI VELOSTER TURBO HAS A TORSION BEAM REAR SUSPENSION THAT WHEN COMBINED WITH THE FACTORY 18" WHEELS AND STOCK KUMHO SOLUS TIRES GIVES THE CAR VERY UNPREDICTABLE AND DANGEROUS HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS OVER BUMPS WHERE THE REAR OF THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT IS "STEPPING OUT." AFTER TALKING TO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Hyundai dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)