Hyundai applies a Paint Protection Film (PPF) on new vehicles before delivery to dealerships. It provides a barrier between the paint and contaminants, such as rail dust, acid rain, and industrial fallout. In rare cases, the paint can become clouded under the PPF. These spots are the result of moisture trapped between the PPF and the paint.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Hyundai Veloster body problems
severe 13 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,500 · see body across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 13 body complaints filed for the 2013 Hyundai Veloster, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 6 model years of Hyundai Veloster we track for body problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 13.
No new NHTSA body complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering body on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
In certain areas, a vehicleâs underbody may exhibit corrosion due to road-salt usage. As a preventative measure, a cavity wax coating is applied to the internal surfaces of underbody components and an undercoating spray is applied to exterior surfaces of specified underbody components. This bulletin describes the procedure to perform this preventative service on certain 2012 â 2017MY Velosters (FS).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗In certain areas, a vehicleâs underbody may exhibit corrosion due to road-salt usage. As a preventative measure, a cavity wax coating is applied to the internal surfaces of underbody components and an undercoating spray is applied to exterior surfaces of specified underbody components. This bulletin describes the procedure to perform this preventative service on certain 2012 â 2017MY Velosters (FS).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The warranty coverage for the panoramic sunroof moving glass has been extended to 10 years or 120,000 miles from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use, whichever occurs first, and is valid for original and subsequent owners.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The most frequent complaint is sunroof spontaneous cracking or shattering while driving at normal highway speeds (40–70 mph) or while parked, with no apparent impact or collision. Glass fragments scatter through the cabin; owners describe loud explosions without warning. One owner had the shade guard closed when the fixed pane shattered from a small rock, but Hyundai denied warranty coverage because the moving part remained intact. The 2012 Veloster was recalled for the same defect, but 2013 owners report no recall applies to their model year.
Secondary concerns include a roof trim clip blowing off at under 10,000 miles, rear bumper showing thermal damage and melting with the license plate mount fusing from heat, and progressive paint cracking and peeling on the rear quarter panel and bumper shortly after purchase. One owner reported a sun visor exploding at 55,000 miles while driving, triggering the airbag warning light. AC blower control became stuck on a single fan speed, and one rear hatch button stopped functioning. One report mentions water infiltration at the panoramic roof base.
Dealers either declined repair coverage or offered partial reimbursement. Several owners left dissatisfied, citing lack of documentation or explanation for findings.
Same Hyundai Veloster body reports on nearby years: 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Sunroof spontaneous cracking/shattering
Panoramic glass sunroof develops cracks or shatters without impact or obvious cause, including while driving at highway speed or when parked. Shade guard being closed does not prevent failure. One owner reports the moving part of the sunroof glass remained intact while the fixed pane shattered from a small rock, leading to warranty denial.
When: Between 0-70,000 miles; instances reported at 53,000 miles and during normal highway driving at 40-70 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Audible explosion or loud cracking noise; Glass fragments throughout cabin; Glass shattering without any object striking the vehicle; Sunroof fails while closed; Shade guard closed at time of failure
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers referred owners to auto glass shops; one dealer covered half the replacement cost per Hyundai; one owner reported warranty denial due to rock impact; manufacturer stated moving glass not affected so warranty did not apply
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: 2012 Veloster models have a recall for exploding sunroofs but not 2013; 2013 owner told warranty does not cover rock impact; manufacturer denied coverage on moving-part distinction
Roof trim strip detachment
Clip-in mechanism roof strip on passenger side becomes loose and blows off the vehicle during normal driving, creating a hazard for following traffic.
When: Under 10,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Audible noise as if something fell or blew off; Roof trim strip missing after driving
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer requested owner pay for replacement under bumper-to-bumper warranty; owner refused, stating defect is manufacturer responsibility
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Bumper-to-bumper warranty applies; dealer attempted to charge owner for repair
Rear bumper melting/thermal degradation
Rear bumper develops holes and exhibits signs of melting, with bumper and license plate mount fusing together from heat. Owner expresses concern about proximity to fuel tank and fire risk.
When: Observed and worsening over week-long period
Symptoms owners cite: Large hole visible under license plate; Bumper and plate mount fused from heat; Progressive deterioration
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer spent 3.5 hours investigating; stated multiple parts needed to be ordered; no documentation or explanation provided to owner
Paint adhesion failure on rear quarter panel and bumper
Paint peels and cracks on rear bumper center and right rear quarter panel shortly after purchase, worsening over time. Dealer attributes it to plastic flexing underneath paint causing cracking.
When: Shortly after purchase; progressive deterioration over time
Symptoms owners cite: Missing paint on rear bumper center and right quarter panel; Progressive cracking and peeling
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer attributed to plastic flexing under paint
Sun visor sudden failure
Front driver-side sun visor explodes or suddenly fails while driving, accompanied by airbag warning light illumination.
When: 55,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sun visor exploded while driving at 40 mph; Airbag warning light illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle taken to dealer but not diagnosed or repaired
AC control and rear hatch button malfunction
AC blower control knob stopped engaging, limiting fan to single setting; rear hatch button became non-functional.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: AC knob does not engage; Fan operates on one setting only; Rear hatch button stopped working
Sunroof water infiltration
Water leaks into vehicle through the base of the panoramic roof section.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: Water filtration into vehicle at panoramic roof base
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
The rear panoramic roof section shattered without warning when we closed the trunk.
Sunroof shattered while driving. No contact made with vehicle, was driving about 50 MPH when sunroof glass shattered, breaking of back part of frame as well. Glass on sunroof shattered upward, eventually caving in on top of cover
Had body trouble with your 2013 Hyundai Veloster?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2013 Hyundai Veloster?
It's a meaningful issue. 13 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,500.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Across the 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most body failures cluster between 40,000 and 66,200 miles, with the median around 59,600. A quarter of owners report trouble before 40,000; a quarter make it past 66,200. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to body?
No active recalls currently cover body issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Hyundai/Veloster.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.