Hyundai Accent reliability and problems by year
Owners have filed 833 complaints about the Hyundai Accent with NHTSA since 2010, most often about engine and airbags. Hyundai has filed 3 warranty extensions and 14 service campaigns for it, and there are 10 safety recalls on file.
From NHTSA's public data files, downloaded 2026-10-10.
How reliable is the Hyundai Accent? What NHTSA's records show
We don't give the Accent a reliability score. NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. Here is what's on file for model years 2010 on.
- Owner complaints
- 833
- Filed with NHTSA, all model years
- Warranty extensions
- 3
- Filed by Hyundai
- Service campaigns
- 14
- Filed by Hyundai
- Safety recalls
- 10
- Each covers part of the model
Every model year compared
Complaints rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so a newer or rarer year will show fewer. Compare years of the Accent with each other.
| Year | Complaints | Most named | Recalls | Warranty / campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 17 | Electrical system (35%) | 2 | 4 |
| 2021 | 16 | Seat belts (38%) | 4 | 4 |
| 2020 | 12 | Engine (33%) | 4 | 4 |
| 2019 | 31 | Engine (61%) | 1 | 7 |
| 2018 | 19 | Engine (42%) | 1 | 8 |
| 2017 | 68 | Engine (34%) | 0 | 5 |
| 2016 | 102 | Engine (32%) | 0 | 6 |
| 2015 | 70 | Airbags (37%) | 2 | 6 |
| 2014 | 79 | Engine (23%) | 1 | 6 |
| 2013 | 141 | Engine (24%) | 1 | 5 |
| 2012 | 153 | Engine (24%) | 2 | 6 |
| 2011 | 38 | Engine (26%) | 1 | 3 |
| 2010 | 87 | Brakes (20%) | 1 | 0 |
Look up one model year, or a VIN
See the complaints, recalls and warranty extensions for a single Accent model year, with the typical mileage when owners reported each problem.
Acknowledged by Hyundai
Warranty extensions and service campaigns Hyundai filed with NHTSA for the Accent, in its own words. A warranty extension means Hyundai pays for the repair beyond the normal warranty.
- Warranty extensionMay 2026· Airbags· model years 2012–2017
Certain 2012 – 2017 model year Accent, 2012 – 2017 model year Azera, 2013 – 2018 model year Santa Fe Sport, 2013 – 2019 model year Santa Fe, and 2012 – 2017 model year Veloster vehicles may exhibit an intermittent airbag warning light and diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) may be…
- Warranty extensionNov 2024· Airbags· model years 2018–2019
Certain 2018 – 2019 model year Accent and certain 2016 – 2017 model year Tucson vehicles may display various Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) related to the Airbag Control Unit (ACU), which may cause the airbag warning light to illuminate.
- Warranty extensionJul 2023· Electrical system· model years 2018–2019
Certain 2018-2019MY Accent (HC) vehicles may experience an inoperable horn that may be caused by internal contact alignment and corrosion.
- Service campaignDec 2025· Electrical system· model years 2018–2022
Upon customer's request ONLY, the Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 25-01-089H provides the service procedure for installation of a key cylinder reinforcement protector assembly and two anti-theft decals on the front windows.
- Service campaignMar 2025· Electrical system· model years 2018–2022
Some vehicles may exhibit a loss of connectivity or interruptions in the middle of using Bluelink Service functions.
- Service campaignMay 2024· Electrical system· model years 2011–2022
A class settlement against Hyundai Motor America (“HMA”) that had alleged that certain 2011 – 2022 model year Hyundai vehicles that were not equipped with an engine immobilizer (called the “Class Vehicles”) contain design flaws, including the failure to manufacture the Class…
- Service campaignOct 2023· Steering· model years 2011–2017
Hyundai Motor America is offering steering wheel locks to owners of certain 2011 â 2017MY vehicles that are not eligible for Service Campaign 993 anti-theft software.
- Service campaignAug 2023· Electrical system· model years 2018–2022
Some models from service campaign 993 (IBU/BCM Software Update and Decals Application) equipped with the Hyundai OEM remote start system may exhibit the horn honking when remote starting the vehicle after receiving the software update.
- Service campaignJul 2023· Body and structure· model years 2012–2017
In certain areas, a vehicleâs underbody may exhibit corrosion due to road salt usage.
- Service campaignJun 2023· Steering· model years 2011–2017
Hyundai Motor America is offering steering wheel locks to owners of certain 2011 â 2017MY vehicles that are not eligible for Service Campaign 993 anti-theft software.
- Service campaignApr 2019· Electrical system· model years 2019
Hyundai Motor America is conducting a Service Campaign to update the ECM software on certain 2018 Model Year Elantra GT and 2019 Veloster vehicles equipped with 1.6L turbo engines. Service Campaign T3T provides a procedure to update the ECM software.
- Service campaignMay 2018· Equipment and accessories· model years 2018
Hyundai Motor America is adding additional VINs to Service Campaign T2X. Service Campaign T2X provides a service procedure to replace spark plugs on certain 2018 Accent vehicles.
- Service campaignApr 2018· Engine and cooling· model years 2018
Hyundai Motor America is conducting a Service Campaign to replace the spark plugs on certain 2018 Accent vehicles. Service Campaign T2X provides a service procedure to replace the spark plugs.
- Service campaignApr 2016· Electrical system· model years 2014
Hyundai motor america is conducting service campaign tbb to update the base audio operating system software for bluetooth and voice recognition function on certain 2014 Model year tucson, accent, elantra, santa fe, santa fe sport, and sonata vehicles.
- Service campaignFeb 2016· Equipment and accessories· model years 2015
Hyundai Motor America is conducting a Service Campaign to update the ECM software on certain 2016 Model Year Accent and Veloster vehicles. Service Campaign T1S provides a procedure to update the ECM software.
- Service campaignFeb 2016· Engine and cooling· model years 2016
Hyundai Motor America is conducting a Service Campaign to update the ECM software on certain 2016 Model Year Accent and Veloster vehicles. Service Campaign T1S provides a procedure to update the ECM software.
- Service campaignMay 2012· Engine and cooling· model years 2012
ECM update. Dealers must perform this service campaign on all affected vehicles whenever an affected vehicle is in the shop for any maintenance or repair.
What owners report most
The parts of the car owners named in their complaints, across every Accent model year. Unverified, and not a failure rate.
- Engine219 (26%)
- Airbags145 (17%)
- Electrical system127 (15%)
- Other or unspecified96 (12%)
- Brakes87 (10%)
- Brakes57 (7%)
- Steering42 (5%)
- Cruise control and speed control34 (4%)
Safety recalls
10 recalls cover at least one Accent model year. Each covers a range of VINs, not every car. Check one car at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioners may explode upon deployment.
A bolt in the steering column may not be secured properly, which can cause the steering column to detach from the steering rack and result in a loss of steering control.
In the event of a crash, the front driver and passenger-side seat belt pretensioners may explode upon deployment.
In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioner(s) may explode upon deployment.
The brake master cylinder may have been manufactured with sharp edges that can damage the inner oil seal, resulting in reduced braking performance.
The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside.
The 12V accessory socket outlet may have been over-tightened during installation, possibly disabling the thermal fuse and allowing the outlet to overheat with prolonged use, such as by using the Tire Mobility Kit air…
In the affected vehicles, the brake light switch may malfunction.
In very cold temperatures, the occupant detection system (ODS) may not be able to determine if a child restraint seat is in the front passenger seat.
NHTSA investigations
Defect investigations NHTSA opened. Many close without a recall.
- AQ23002Audit query· opened Nov 2023, still open· Brakes· model years 2012–2015
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
- RQ22003Recall query· opened Aug 2022, closed May 2023· Seat belts· model years 2020–2021
Seat Belt Pretensioners May Rupture
Led to recall 23V094000.
NHTSA's own page for the 2022 Hyundai Accent has the complaint text and every document.
Common questions
Is the Hyundai Accent reliable?
We don't score reliability: NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. What's on file for model years 2010 on: 833 owner complaints, 3 warranty extensions and 14 service campaigns Hyundai filed, and 10 safety recalls. The model years with the most complaints are 2012 (153), 2013 (141), 2016 (102). Whether a known problem was fixed on one car is what its service records show.
What are the most common problems with the Hyundai Accent?
Across every model year since 2010, owners' complaints to NHTSA most often name engine (26%), airbags (17%), electrical system (15%). Hyundai has filed 3 warranty extensions covering the Accent, listed on this page.
Which Accent model years have the most complaints?
2012 (153), 2013 (141), 2016 (102). Complaint counts rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so compare years of the Accent with each other rather than with other models.
Has Hyundai extended the warranty on the Accent?
Yes: airbags (model years 2012–2017); airbags (model years 2018–2019); electrical system (model years 2018–2019). A dealer does a covered repair for free within the extended time or mileage.
How do I check recalls on a Accent?
Enter the car's 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That answers for one vehicle; the 10 recalls listed here are for the model, and each covers only part of it.