YearToAvoid

2013 Hyundai Veloster Engine Problems

Engine problems account for 181 of 423 complaints (43%) filed on the 2013 Hyundai Veloster, with 22 fires reported and a median failure mileage of 85,000. Hyundai recall 19V204000 addresses faulty engine management software on the 1.6L turbo engine.

Engine complaints
181
43% of 423
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
22
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
85,000 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Sudden loud bang from the engine followed by loss of power and white or black smoke while driving at highway speeds.
  • Engine stalls at a stoplight or low speed, sometimes preceded by a check engine light and a violent shaking of the vehicle.
  • Smoke or fire emerging from under the hood, in several cases progressing to visible flames that required the fire department.
  • Reports of connecting rod bearing failure and oil spewing from the engine after a banging noise and stall.
  • Wiring in the engine harness described as damaged or sparking, in one case starting to ignite before the driver shut off the car.
  • Engine failure preceded by repeated partial stalling episodes before a complete stall and smoke or sparks at shutdown.

When 2013 Hyundai Veloster engine complaints were filed

First complaint Dec 19, 2012, latest Aug 31, 2026.

2013 Hyundai Veloster engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter292012 Q42015 Q32018 Q22020 Q12021 Q32023 Q12024 Q32026 Q2
181 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2012 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2019 Q2 (29).

Engine recalls for the 2013 Hyundai Veloster

  1. NHTSA 19V204000Mar 14, 2019Engine16,487 vehicles

    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.

    Risk: 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.

Engine complaints by Veloster model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201271 (24%)
  2. 2013181 (43%)
  3. 201436 (42%)
  4. 201580 (59%)
  5. 2016143 (64%)
  6. 201727 (54%)
  7. 201921 (50%)
  8. 20209 (38%)
  9. 20213 (27%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems in the 2013 Hyundai Veloster?
NHTSA lists 181 engine-related complaints for the 2013 Veloster, which is 43% of all 423 complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2013 Veloster engine?
Yes. Recall 19V204000 covers 2013 Velosters with the 1.6 liter turbo engine, where engine management software could cause premature ignition of the air/fuel mixture; Hyundai updates the software for free.
At what mileage do 2013 Veloster engines typically fail?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for engine complaints on this model year is 85,000 miles.
Did the engine problems cause fires?
NHTSA complaint data shows 22 fires and 1 crash tied to engine complaints on the 2013 Veloster, with no reported injuries.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.