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Cross-comparison · Comparison spans different vehicle types

2013 Ford Fiesta vs 2013 Hyundai Veloster

Reliability comparison based on NHTSA recall and complaint records.

Synced 2026-06-14 Source: NHTSA public records Reviewed by ASE-certified contributors
Quick verdict
The 2013 Hyundai Veloster edges this one on reliability data

Reliability data favors the 2013 Hyundai Veloster (3.5 versus 3.3). These vehicles aren't a typical head-to-head comparison, but if you're cross-shopping them, the data is what it is.

2013 Ford Fiesta

3.3/5
Reliability score
667 complaints
1 recalls (0 critical)
$11,950 repair exposure
vs
More reliable

2013 Hyundai Veloster

3.5/5
Reliability score
418 complaints
1 recalls (0 critical)
$12,050 repair exposure

Stories from the shop

The 2013 Hyundai Veloster edges this comparison on reliability data (3.5 versus 3.3). These aren't a typical head-to-head, but if you're cross-shopping them, the data is what it is.

If you lean 2013 Ford Fiesta, know what you're getting into on powertrain and body. Those categories have noticeably more complaints than the 2013 Hyundai Veloster sees, and they're not cheap items when they go.

Going with the 2013 Hyundai Veloster? Watch the engine and electrical. The 2013 Ford Fiesta has fewer reports in those categories, so you'd be trading one set of weak spots for another.

Bottom line: pick based on use case more than the spec sheet. If you tow heavy and don't want to think about it, that's one calculation. If you're a daily driver and want the cheapest path forward, that's another. Both of these will get you down the road. We're just telling you where each one is most likely to break.

— ProblemsByVin editorial team, drawing on the NHTSA data and shop experience.

Side-by-side by problem area

Category
2013 Ford Fiesta
2013 Hyundai Veloster
powertrain
384 reports
moderate · ~$2,500
31 reports
severe · ~$2,500
engine
28 reports
moderate · ~$3,100
117 reports
severe · ~$3,100
electrical
42 reports
moderate · ~$850
87 reports
severe · ~$850
body
71 reports
moderate · ~$1,500
13 reports
severe · ~$1,500
steering
No reports
58 reports
moderate · ~$700
visibility
No reports
31 reports
severe · ~$350
airbags
10 reports
severe · ~$1,100
10 reports
severe · ~$1,100
brakes
No reports
20 reports
moderate · ~$450
cruise control
14 reports
moderate · ~$600
No reports
suspension
6 reports
moderate · ~$900
No reports

Common questions

Which is more reliable, the 2013 Ford Fiesta or the 2013 Hyundai Veloster?

Based on the NHTSA data we track, the 2013 Hyundai Veloster comes out ahead with a reliability score of 3.5 versus 3.3. The margin is narrow, so the verdict could shift if you weight specific categories differently or factor in your own use case.

What goes wrong more often on the 2013 Ford Fiesta?

Compared to the 2013 Hyundai Veloster, the 2013 Ford Fiesta sees more reported issues in powertrain and body. That doesn't mean it's a bad truck — it means those are the categories worth budgeting for if you go that direction.

What goes wrong more often on the 2013 Hyundai Veloster?

Compared to the 2013 Ford Fiesta, the 2013 Hyundai Veloster has more complaints in engine and electrical. Whether that's a deal-breaker depends on the cost and severity — see the comparison table above for repair cost ranges.

Which has more recalls?

Both vehicles have 1 active recalls. Total recall count alone isn't a great signal — what matters is severity. See the recall counts by severity in the comparison table.

Is an extended warranty worth it on either of these?

Both vehicles are out of factory bumper-to-bumper coverage at this point. Combined repair exposure across the top problem categories runs around $12,050 on the higher-risk vehicle. A quality service contract typically costs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years, so a single major failure usually pays for the contract. The math favors warranty coverage on whichever vehicle you choose, especially if you plan to keep it past 100,000 miles.

Related comparisons

Reliability scores, complaint counts, and severity ratings derived from the NHTSA public records database. Verify each vehicle's federal record: 2013 Ford Fiesta on NHTSA · 2013 Hyundai Veloster on NHTSA. "Repair exposure" is the sum of average independent-shop repair costs across each vehicle's tracked problem categories and is intended as a relative comparison, not an exact prediction. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. Some links on this page are affiliate links.
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