NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2013 Hyundai Veloster. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
SO MY MOTOR STARTED MAKING THIS TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID I NEED A NEW MOTOR DUE TO THE FACT I JUST BOUGHT THE NOT EVEN A MONTH FROM THE SMALL DEALERSHIP WHICH THEY DON'T OFFER WARRANTY. I THOUGH IT WOULD STILL HAVE WARRANTY CAUSE IT STILL UNDER 100K AND IT STILL UNDER 10YRS WARRANTY I THOUGHT THEY WOULD COVER IT BUT INSTEAD IT WAT TO THE PREVIOUS OWNER ONLY NOW GONNA COST ME $11000 FOR NEW MOTOR
ON FRIDAY MAY 10 I TOOK MY VELOSTER TO THE DEALER AS I WAS CONSIDERING A POSSIBLE TRADE IN. THE SALES MANAGER DID A FULL CHECK OF MY CAR AND TEST DROVE IT AS WELL IN AN EFFORT TO MAKE AN ACCEPTABLE OFFER FOR TRADE. MY CAR WAS IN PERFECT CONDITION WITH NO DAMAGE WHATSOEVER. AFTER DISCUSSING ALL THE DETAILS, I DECIDED NOT TO TRADE IN MY CAR. I LEFT AND AND DROVE TO A LOCAL THEATER. WHILE DRIVING I HEARD AN UNUSUAL NOISE AS IF SOMETHING HAD FALLEN/BLOWN OFF MY CAR. IT WAS DARK AND SINCE I DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING I FIGURED IT WAS SOMETHING ON THE ROAD. WELL WHEN I GOT TO THE THEATER (ABOUT 5 MILES AWAY) AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR, MY PASSENGER ADVISED ME THAT THE STRIP ON THE PASSENGER SIDE ROOF THAT IS NORMALLY PRESENT AS A CLIP-IN MECHANISM WAS MISSING. I CAN ONLY CONCLUDE THAT IT BLEW OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I FEEL FOR THE PERSON BEHIND ME WHO EITHER GOT HIT BY IT OR HAD TO DO SOME EVASIVE MANEUVERING TO AVOID IMPACT. THIS COULD BE A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHER SPEEDS. I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE WAS INJURED OR NOT, BUT HYUNDAI NEEDS TO BE AWARE OF ITS POTENTIAL SERIOUS HAZARD. -THE DEALER WANTS ME TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENT/REPAIR OF A DEFECTIVE PART EVEN THOUGH I AM STILL UNDER MY BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT I WILL NOT BE PAYING TO HAVE IT REPLACED AS IT IS HYUNDAI'S RESPONSIBILITY. WITH LESS THAN 10000 MILES THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR THIS TYPE OF ISSUE TO OCCUR. *TR
STEREO SPEAKER SYSTEM KEEPS COMING LOOSE FROM, HARNESS, REPAIRED, BROKEN AGAIN. WAS TOLD BY DEALER RECALL ISSUE. BOTH HEADLIGHTS AND FACTORY INSTALLED FOG LIGHTS HAVE REPEATEDLY GONE OUT, COSTING SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS TO REPAIR. PAINT IS CHIPPING OFF VEHICLE IN SEVERAL PLACES, HAS BEEN SINCE APPROX 6 MONTHS AFTER BUYING CAR AND TOLD BY DEALER THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH PAINT, ALTHOUGH CHIPPING IN STRAIGHT LINE
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 TO BE LOOKED AT STATED WORK NOT DONE.I TOLD SERVICE ADVISOR I NEEDED TO GET CAR FIXED BEFORE I DROVE ACROSS COUNTRY, I ASKED TO BRING IT BACK AND HE SAID I THOUGHT YOU WERE LEAVING WHICH I AM BUT VERY CONCERNED ABOUT DRIVING ANY LENGTH BECAUSE IT GETS PAINFUL IF I HAVE TO TURN ON LIGHTS. *TR
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. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER AND EXPLAINED IT TO THEM. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CLAIMED THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. [XXX] IT'S HAPPENED TO ME SEVERAL TIMES. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL DUE TO ALL OF THE ONLINE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT VELOSTER STALLS!!!! NHTSA PLEASE LOOK INTO ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
THE DCT TRANSMISSION IN THIS MODEL HAS A SEVERE LAG WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP OR HAVING TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY INTO TRAFFIC, WHEN YOU PRESS THE THROTTLE HARD THERE IS A ONE SECOND DELAY BEFORE ANYTHING HAPPENS, AND SOMETIMES IT COMPLETELY BOGS DOWN WHEN TRYING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC, THANKFULLY OTHER DRIVERS HAVE SLOWED WHEN IT DOES THIS. IT IS AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD AND NEEDS TO ME ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE ON THE VELOSTER.ORG SITE THAT ARE REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEM AND THERE IS NOTHING THE DEALER CAN DO ABOUT IT. I'VE OWNED MANY, MANY VEHICLES IN THE PAST AND THIS IS THE FIRST ONE I'VE OWNED THAT I WORRY ABOUT MY SAFETY AS WELL AS THE OTHER MOTORISTS ON THE ROAD. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI VELOSTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEELS CAUSED THE TIRES TO WEAR PREMATURELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT NO DIAGNOSIS WAS DETERMINED. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,427 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,005.
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 RESULT IN THE CAR DRIFTING INTO ANOTHER LANE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI VELOSTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR ACTUATOR AND TRANSMISSION WERE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO CHANGE GEARS OR START THE VEHICLE SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY AND ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION, NEARLY CAUSED A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER OVER 32 TIMES BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000.
HEADLIGHTS ON LOW BEAM THE LIGHTS ONLY REACH OUT 65-75 FEET AND THEN THERE IS A SOLID DARK HORIZON LINE WITH NO LIGHT WHAT SO EVER ABOVE THIS LINE. AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 65 MPH THIS LIGHTING DOSE NOT GIVE THE DRIVER ENOUGH TIME TO AVOID A PROBLEM. CONTACTED HYUNDAI AND THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO ADMIT TO THE PROBLEM OR DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. AFTER RESEARCH THE SOLUTION IS TO ADD H I D LIGHTING TO THE CAR HYUNDAI SAY THAT IF IT IS INSTALLED THEY WILL NOT HORNER ANY FIX ANY REPAIR CLAIMS ON THE CAR. I DRIVE 100 MILES A DAY IN THE DARK AND THIS IS OUT AND OUT DANGEROUS. SOME THING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS A S A P. *TR
CPSC#I12C0628A. 2013 HYUNDAI VELOSTER. CONSUMER STATED THAT THIS CAR IS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL WHEN HE DRIVES. *LN THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAS BEEN IN THREE ACCIDENTS DUE TO THE BAD DESIGN OF THE SUSPENSION. THE CONSUMER STATED HYUNDAI USED A TWIST BEAM REAR AXLE ON THE SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI VELOSTER TURBO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ONLY ILLUMINATED APPROXIMATELY 65-70 FEET AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO HAVE A CLEAR VIEW OF THE ROADWAY. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS A SOLID BLACK HORIZON THAT CAME FROM THE HEADLIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WERE NO FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,000. UPDATED 2/13/13 THE CONSUMER STATED THE COST TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM WAS $900 UPDATED 02/14/13
MY 2013 HYUNDAI VELOSTER'S SUNROOF EXPLODED VIOLENTLY, WHILE PARKED UNDER THE CARPORT. IT CAUSED DAMAGED TO THE INTERIOR AND TO THE SURROUNDING VEHICLES. ACCORDING TO REVIEWS THIS ISSUE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR THE 2012 MODELS, YET MINE IS A 2013. OBVIOUSLY, THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN CORRECTED. I WILL NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CAR ONCE THE MANUFACTURE/DEALERSHIP FIX IT. AND SADLY, I'VE ONLY HAD IT FOR A MONTH. *TR
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 ACCESSORIES ARE ON) AND WITH THE WATER PUMP NOT FUNCTIONING THE CAR WILL ALMOST IMMEDIATELY OVERHEAT LEAVING THE VEHICLE STRANDED. *TR
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. TECHNICIANS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPLICATE MIS-FUNCTION. UNSURE IF VEHICLE HAS A DEFECT. *TR
VEHICLE SLIPS OUT OF GEAR OFTEN. DEALERSHIP CANNOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM, AND ONE DEALER DISMISSED MY COMPLAINT. HAPPENS AFTER ACCELERATING FROM A STOP WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1-2 BUT HAS HAPPENED WHEN SHIFTING 2-3 AND IT SLIPS OUT AND ENGINE REVS, DISENGAGED FROM WHEELS (AS IF IN NEUTRAL). THIS IS WHEN USING IT IN NORMAL MODE, NOT SPORT OR MANUAL SHIFT. THERE ARE NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS ONLINE IN VARIOUS FORUMS (NOT YET ON NHSTA SITE IT SEEMS) THIS IS VERY UNSAFE IN TRAFFIC AS THE DRIVER MUST STOP ACCELERATING, SHIFT CAR INTO N AND THEN BACK TO DRIVE TO GET IT TO WORK AGAIN.
THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED AS I WAS DRIVING TO MICHIGAN FROM INDIANA, ON A COLD BUT CLEAR DAY. HALF WAY INTO MICHIGAN I RAN INTO A LIGHT DUSTING OF SNOW, AND BEFORE I KNEW IT MY REAR END STARTED SLIDING TO THE RIGHT. AT FIRST I THOUGHT I HIT A PATCH OF ICE, BUT I SOON REALIZED I'M THE ONLY ONE SLIDING ALL OVER THE ROAD. MY TOP SPEED 40 TO 45 MPH. EVERYONE WAS PASSING ME WITH NO PROBLEMS. WHEN I GOT TO MY PARENTS HOUSE, I WENT TO DISCOUNT TIRE AND BOUGHT NEW RIMS AND SNOW TIRES. THE RESULT NO DIFFERENT. LAST WEEK I WAS HEADING TO CHICAGO, AND RAN INTO RAIN AT 70 MPH. SAME SITUATION AS BEFORE. THE REAR STEPPED OUT AND I ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I'M TERRIFIED DRIVING THIS CAR. *TR
I am writing regarding a serious safety issue with my 2013 Hyundai Veloster, purchased new. Over the life of the vehicle, I have replaced the manual AC/heat control head three times due to repeated failure. During the most recent installation, I left the trim panel off to monitor the wiring harness and found it becomes extremely hot while operating. A local repair technician examined it and immediately advised me not to use the heating system due to potential fire risk. Research specific to my vehicle shows documented issues including blower control overheating, burning smell/smoke, burned internal contacts, wiring harness heat damage, and repeat control failure. These match exactly what is occurring with my car. I previously spoke with my dealership’s parts department and was told there may be known concerns involving the wiring harness and blower resistor. I also contacted Hyundai Motor America Consumer Affairs but did not receive assistance. After inspection, the dealership informed me the wiring harness and resistor must be replaced at a cost of approximately $2,450. Given the repeated failures and overheating electrical components, I do not believe I should be responsible for this expense, especially considering the potential safety hazard. The vehicle has been carefully maintained, stored properly, and rarely driven in winter. I had planned to use it for travel after retirement but now feel unsafe operating it. I respectfully request a formal safety review and goodwill repair assistance, as this appears to be a defect rather than normal wear. I am also filing a complaint with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration due to the documented fire risk. I appreciate your prompt attention to this matter. I am respectfully requesting: A formal safety review of this issue. Goodwill repair assistance or full coverage of the repair costs. Clarification as to whether this issue has been evaluated for recall consideration. [XXX] , [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)