The warranty coverage for the clock spring has been extended to 15 years with unlimited mileage from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use, whichever occurs first. This warranty coverage applies to both the original and subsequent owners. Refer to the warranty and service parts information outlined in this bulletin whenever clock spring replacement is required.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Hyundai Veloster steering problems
moderate 58 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
58
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 58 steering complaints filed for the 2013 Hyundai Veloster, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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 4 model years of Hyundai Veloster we track for steering problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 58.
Owners have filed 58 steering complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering 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.
The warranty coverage for the clock spring has been extended to 15 years with unlimited mileage from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use, whichever occurs first. Refer to the warranty and service parts information outlined in this bulletin whenever clock spring replacement is required.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information regarding replacement of the column-mounted Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) system as separate components.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information regarding replacement of the column-mounted Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) system as separate components.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information regarding replacement of the column-mounted Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) system as separate components.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2013 Veloster steering failures break into three main patterns. First and most common: the MDPS (Motor-Driven Power Steering) rubber coupler degrades, causing clicking, clunking, or dead spots in the wheel from as early as 23,000 miles. Owners report the wheel feels loose, won't turn smoothly through its full range, or requires momentary pause before responding to input. Second: violent steering wheel shake at highway speeds (40–70 mph), sometimes accompanied by loss of control, tied to worn plastic bushings in the steering column. Third: electronic steering lockup during normal driving or at rest, sometimes triggered by wheel speed sensor failure or electrical faults, leaving the car undrivable until power-cycled.
Owners note these issues can escalate dangerously—one report included an unintended vehicle shutdown at 65 mph on the freeway when an ignition button was bumped after sensor failure disabled safety interlocks. Another involved a steering wheel lock during an interstate lane change that nearly caused a ditch crash. The coupler failure is particularly vexing because Hyundai has issued recalls for the identical part in the Elantra and Sonata but explicitly excluded the Veloster despite being the same component. Repair costs range from $250 to $500+ in labor alone, hitting owners beyond the 60,000-mile warranty window. No factory warning lights precede these failures.
Same Hyundai Veloster steering reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
MDPS rubber coupler deterioration
The flexible rubber coupling in the Motor-Driven Power Steering assembly wears and degrades, losing its ability to cleanly transmit steering input from the motor to the steering column. The coupler develops tears, flat spots, or internal deformation.
When: 23,000–123,000 miles; frequently cited between 40,000–80,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: clicking or clunking sound when turning the wheel left or right; loose steering wheel with excessive play in center position; dead spot in wheel motion where it won't respond to input; vibration or shaking of the steering wheel; steering wheel sticks or binds momentarily before responding; metallic cluck sound before wheels start to turn
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement coupler (e.g., Dorman 926-990 with urethane material) plus labor; owners report $250–$500+ cost. Hyundai TSB 14-ST-002-1 exists but manufacturer claims it does not apply to some VINs despite identical parts in Elantra and Sonata.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hyundai has issued recalls for this exact coupler on Elantra (2012–2016) and Sonata but refused to extend recall to Veloster. Some dealers acknowledge it is a known issue but no recall applies. Extended warranty offered on other models, not Veloster.
Steering column plastic bushing wear
Plastic bushings inside the steering column degrade and lose rigidity, allowing excessive movement between the column and the vehicle frame. The plastic teeth on the bushing wear out, reducing engagement.
When: 60,000–90,000+ miles, sometimes within 10,000 miles of warranty expiration
Symptoms owners cite: violent shaking or vibration in the steering wheel at highway speeds (40+ mph); excessive play in the steering wheel; steering wheel jerks or pulls to one side during turns; loss of steering control requiring hard correction; steering feels vague or unresponsive for a sports car
Repairs/costs cited: Bushing replacement around $400. One mechanic reported seeing this failure pattern frequently across Hyundai models (Sonata included) and attributed early failure to bushing material quality.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hyundai denied warranty coverage when failures occurred just beyond the 60,000-mile warranty period, claiming no awareness of the issue despite multiple online complaints.
Steering electronic lockup and loss of control
The electronic power steering system locks or becomes unresponsive, rendering the steering wheel immobile or severely difficult to turn. Occurs without warning and may resolve only after engine restart. Can be triggered by wheel speed sensor fault or other electrical failure.
When: Occurs at various mileages; sensor failures observed around 77,300–90,990 miles
Symptoms owners cite: steering wheel locks in place while driving or at rest; steering wheel becomes impossibly hard to turn despite engine running; loss of electronic steering assist with no warning light; steering wheel temporarily frozen, returning to normal after restart; loss of steering control at highway speeds
Codes mentioned: wheel speed sensor code (right front sensor failures cited)
Repairs/costs cited: Root cause varies: faulty wheel speed sensor triggers cascading electrical disable of steering and other safety systems. Repair involves sensor replacement or electrical system diagnosis.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was not notified in most cases. Where contacted, no special accommodation offered.
Rear suspension tracking instability
The rear axle exhibits excessive compliance or lateral movement during bump transitions, snow/ice transitions, or road surface changes, causing the rear end to slide or step out of line independently from driver input.
When: Observed at various speeds, especially 35–40 mph in light snow; worsens on roads with vertical grooving
Symptoms owners cite: rear end wants to slide out when traversing bumps, especially in curves; rear axle steps sideways when one tire transitions onto snow or ice; entire rear of vehicle wants to follow direction of one rear tire; similar excessive reaction when crossing asphalt patches on concrete; car drifts into adjacent lane after minor steering disturbance over bumps
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented in complaints; owner described issue as inherent design flaw. Hyundai inspection found suspension set to factory specs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hyundai reported suspension components meet factory specifications; no design change offered despite owner assertion of inherent flaw.
Electrical cascade failure triggered by wheel speed sensor
A single faulty wheel speed sensor (typically right front) triggers a cascading disablement of multiple vehicle control systems: electronic steering, traction control, ABS, speedometer, cruise control, and safety interlocks.
When: Observed at 77,300–90,990 miles and beyond
Symptoms owners cite: intermittent tire pressure warning light; ABS light on and off randomly; check engine light, brake light, EPS light all illuminating; traction control disables; steering becomes extremely difficult or electronically disabled; speedometer and gas gauge malfunction; cruise control non-functional; keyless ignition safety interlock disabled, allowing accidental shut-off
Codes mentioned: wheel speed sensor fault code
Repairs/costs cited: Wheel speed sensor replacement; one owner reported replacing fuse and ABS module subsequently began smoking (possible recall-related ABS module issue). No successful resolution documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall exists for 2013 Veloster ABS module smoking, though other Hyundai models have been recalled for smoking ABS modules.
Synthesized from 58 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Steering coupler went out at 23,000 miles. Not covered under warranty according to Hyundai leading to repairs in excess of $500. Many Hyundai’s have this problem and if it goes out completely the vehicle no longer has electric steering assist, the steering wheel makes a clunking sound, and the car drifts all over the road.
When I entered the car and turned it on the steering wheel was locked . The engine was running and I could put it in gear but the steering would not turn. After I restarted the car a couple of times the problem was corrected but I am worried this will happen while driving and might cause a crash. This problem was repeated in 2 different occasions. Another issue that happened twice was that I…
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Veloster. The contact stated that while attempting to make a left or right turn, he felt a clicking sensation in the steering wheel. No warning light was illuminated. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the steering coupling needed to be replaced. The contact stated that an appointment was scheduled for the…
At interstate speeds (60 MPH and above),the vehicle's steering becomes unexpectedly heavy, and it seemingly takes an unusual (and possibly, momentarily alarming) amount of steering effort to keep the vehicle "centered" on the road. *tr
Had steering 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 steering problem on the 2013 Hyundai Veloster?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 58 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 39 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 34,000 and 78,000 miles, with the median around 53,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 34,000; a quarter make it past 78,000. 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 $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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.