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2012 Hyundai Accent Problems & Owner Complaints

152 NHTSA owner complaints
13 crash 8 fire 13 injury 1 death

Age-normalised, this year draws ~10.1 complaints per year on the road — ranking 1 of 13 Hyundai Accent years we track (1 = most complaints per year).

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What owners report

Engine is the most-reported problem area on the 2012 Hyundai Accent, cited in 36 of 152 filed complaints (24%).

Service Brakes is next (36 complaints, 24%), followed by Electrical System (24), Vehicle Speed Control (18), Air Bags (17).

Across all complaints, 13 report a crash, 8 report a fire, 13 report injuries, 1 report a death.

The most safety-critical cluster is Air Bags: 11 crash, 10 injury, 1 death report(s).

Complaints by vehicle system

Owner complaints filed with the U.S. NHTSA for the 2012 Hyundai Accent, grouped by the vehicle system each cites. A single complaint can name more than one system, so the group totals can add up to more than 152.

Engine 36 7 fire 2 injury

“The contact owned a 2012 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, there was a smoke odor present inside the vehicle. The contact decelerated the vehicle and stalled on the side of the road. The vehicle caught on fire in the engine. The contact and the front passenger sustained minor injuries to their knee while exiting the vehicle but did not seek medical attention. The fire was extinguished by the Fire Department. A fire report was filed. A police report was not filed. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was destroyed.  The manufacturer was not noti…”
NHTSA complaint #11580676, 2024 · fire · 2 injury(ies)

“On the [XXX], my 2012 Hyundai Accent caught fire in the engine compartment and engulfed in flames. Right before the fire started, smoke came out of the air vents into the car, causing me to become stifled and choke for several minutes. Smoke was also coming out of the hood. At that point, I lifted the hood and there were flames coming out of the engine. During the past six months prior to the fire, I developed a chronic cough and now believe it might have been attributed to fumes that I have been inhaling through the air vents from my car's engine. My [XXX] mother and [XXX] son have suffered…”
NHTSA complaint #11657658, 2025 · fire

“The contact owned a 2012 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that after the vehicle was occupied and parked in the residence, the contact started the vehicle to let the engine warm up went inside his home then returned outside from his home and noticed the engine was burning. The contact opened the hood of the vehicle to see where the fire was coming from and turned the vehicle off. The contact grabbed the water hose and attempted to extinguish the fire but was unsuccessful.  The contact mentioned he did call 911. The contact did not sustain injuries.  No medical attention was sought. No polic…”
NHTSA complaint #11645116, 2025 · fire

Service Brakes 36 2 crash 3 fire 1 injury

“I WAS TRAVELLING EAST BOUND ON MEMPHIS AVENUE AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH APPROACHING TIEDEMAN ROAD IN BROOKLYN, OHIO. I ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES WHICH GAVE A RUBBING AND GRINDING NOISE AND CAUSED MY 2012 HYUNDAI ACCENT TO REAR END ANOTHER VEHICLE RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS TO MY VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND I WAS TREATED FOR CONTUSIONS TO MY RIBS, ARMS, STOMACH, SHOULDER AND FACE AS WELL AS A SPRAIN TO MY WRIST. MY VEHICLE SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE AND WAS A TOTAL LOSS, SO WHY DIDN'T THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY!!”
NHTSA complaint #10747070, 2015 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“On the [XXX], my 2012 Hyundai Accent caught fire in the engine compartment and engulfed in flames. Right before the fire started, smoke came out of the air vents into the car, causing me to become stifled and choke for several minutes. Smoke was also coming out of the hood. At that point, I lifted the hood and there were flames coming out of the engine. During the past six months prior to the fire, I developed a chronic cough and now believe it might have been attributed to fumes that I have been inhaling through the air vents from my car's engine. My [XXX] mother and [XXX] son have suffered…”
NHTSA complaint #11657658, 2025 · fire

“The contact owned a 2012 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that after the vehicle was occupied and parked in the residence, the contact started the vehicle to let the engine warm up went inside his home then returned outside from his home and noticed the engine was burning. The contact opened the hood of the vehicle to see where the fire was coming from and turned the vehicle off. The contact grabbed the water hose and attempted to extinguish the fire but was unsuccessful.  The contact mentioned he did call 911. The contact did not sustain injuries.  No medical attention was sought. No polic…”
NHTSA complaint #11645116, 2025 · fire

Electrical System 24 3 fire

“On the [XXX], my 2012 Hyundai Accent caught fire in the engine compartment and engulfed in flames. Right before the fire started, smoke came out of the air vents into the car, causing me to become stifled and choke for several minutes. Smoke was also coming out of the hood. At that point, I lifted the hood and there were flames coming out of the engine. During the past six months prior to the fire, I developed a chronic cough and now believe it might have been attributed to fumes that I have been inhaling through the air vents from my car's engine. My [XXX] mother and [XXX] son have suffered…”
NHTSA complaint #11657658, 2025 · fire

“Hyundai's current handling of recall 251 is inadequate, posing significant danger to drivers and passengers. Hyundai's remedy for Recall 251 replaces ABS fuse with a lower amperage fuse. While this may prevent fires caused by brake fluid leaks, it disables the ABS, introducing severe safety hazards: •Without ABS, the risk of wheel lockup during heavy braking increases, leading to skidding and loss of control. •ABS reduces stopping distances, especially on slippery surfaces. Disabling it may result in longer stopping distances, raising collision risks. •Drivers accustomed to ABS may not be pre…”
NHTSA complaint #11602480, 2023 · fire

“Driving down the highway car caught fire”
NHTSA complaint #11470314, 2022 · fire

Unknown Or Other 19 1 crash 1 fire 1 injury

“TRACTION CONTROL MALFUNCTIONED ON A SUNNY DAY IN NEIGHBORHOOD CAUSING MY CAR TO FISH TAIL AND FLIP OVER CAUSING LIFE THREATENING INJURIES.”
NHTSA complaint #10924153, 2016 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“MY VEHICLE HAS CAUGHT FIRE ON 11/14/20 AS IT WAS PARKED AT RESIDENT. WE HEARD A POP SOUND AND THEN FIRE STARTED. JUNE I HAD MY BATTERY REPLACE. FEB I HAD ISSUE WITH THE )2 SENSOR THAT HAS BEEN TAKEN CAR OF. AFTER THE FIRE I RECEIVED A RECAL NOTICE.”
NHTSA complaint #11375274, 2020 · fire

“my dealership, palmers hyundai on airport blvd in mobile, al said I can make an appointment to come in to have the abs fire hazard addressed, but there is no guarantee that they will have the part to fix the recall problem because they don't receive the item in bulk. I would have to make appt, come in and wait until my turn and then see if they would have the part to be able to fix it that day”
NHTSA complaint #11590917, 2024

Vehicle Speed Control 18 1 crash 1 fire

“Hyundai's current handling of recall 251 is inadequate, posing significant danger to drivers and passengers. Hyundai's remedy for Recall 251 replaces ABS fuse with a lower amperage fuse. While this may prevent fires caused by brake fluid leaks, it disables the ABS, introducing severe safety hazards: •Without ABS, the risk of wheel lockup during heavy braking increases, leading to skidding and loss of control. •ABS reduces stopping distances, especially on slippery surfaces. Disabling it may result in longer stopping distances, raising collision risks. •Drivers accustomed to ABS may not be pre…”
NHTSA complaint #11602480, 2023 · fire

“WE PURCHASED A 2012 HYUNDAI ACCENT ON OCTOBER 19, 2011. FROM THE VERY FIRST DAY WE STARTED HAVING ISSUES WHERE THE BRAKES WOULD NOT BRAKE AT TIMES AND WOULD HAVE BOUTS OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. FROM THE FIRST DAY OF PURCHASE WE ADVISED THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AND EVEN BROUGHT IN OUR VEHICLE TO BE LOOKED AT. THEY REFUSED TO DO ANY KIND OF DIAGNOSTIC AND SAID THAT I WAS BEING A PARANOID WOMAN AND NEW MOMS TEND TO WORRY TOO MUCH. MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE BOTH DRIVEN THIS VEHICLE AND EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE. WE ADVISED HYUNDAI, THE DEALERSHIP AND OUR INSURANCE COMPANY OF THE ISSUE. EACH TIME WE BROUG…”
NHTSA complaint #10605008, 2013 · crash

“The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the contact felt the vehicle accelerating while depressing the brake pedal. The contact made it to the residence safely; however, after shifting into park, the engine was still revving. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic who determined that the accelerator pedal was stuck. The accelerator assembly was replaced. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that there was no recall associated with the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage…”
NHTSA complaint #11500506, 2021

Air Bags 17 11 crash 10 injury 1 death

“MY SON IN LAW, DAUGHTER, SON, & GRANDSON WERE DRIVING IN THE RAIN & THE CAR HYDROPLANED CAUSING THE CAR TO GO OFF THE ROAD & HITTING A TREE KILLING MY SON IN LAW & SERIOUSLY INJURING MY SON. NEEDLESS TO SAY THE CAR WAS TOTALED & NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.”
NHTSA complaint #10871283, 2016 · crash · 1 death(s)

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 HYUNDAI ACCENT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, WHEN A DEER RAN INTO HER LANE AND SHE RAN INTO IT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED SHE SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES ON HER HIP THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT STATED HER SISTER WAS SITTING AT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED THE FOLLOWING DAY BECAUSE SHE HAD A HEADACHE DUE TO WHIPLASH. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED SHE HAD A PASSENGER SEATED AT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE THAT ALSO REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHI…”
NHTSA complaint #11351696, 2018 · crash · 3 injury(ies)

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ACCENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE DUE TO ANOTHER CRASH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO THE ABDOMINAL AND NORMAL SORENESS THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR BODY REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10762896, 2015 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

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Fuel/Propulsion System 10 1 fire

“Driving down the highway car caught fire”
NHTSA complaint #11470314, 2022 · fire

“The Scanning System will track this Mold. It can degrade and split. The gas tank is moldy and looks damp. It Can Cause Fire The Fuel Filler Tube Clamp This Mold Can Cause Fire”
NHTSA complaint #11580801, 2024

“Our 2012 Hyundai accent hatchback is not drivable at this time is is over at the service department through Ron Marhofer Hyundai of Green in Akron Ohio, it has not been repaired yet.. our vehicle was dropped off [XXX] and today of this letter it's [XXX] still No repair I am very upset because my wife is in stage 4 cancer and has to have treatments and now I am unable at this time to let her meet her medical needs.. I am so stressed about this mess the service manager is trying to provide us a loaner but we are waiting what I would like to happen if it cannot be repaired I would like a check f…”
NHTSA complaint #11569187, 2023

Steering 9 1 crash

“WE PURCHASED A 2012 HYUNDAI ACCENT ON OCTOBER 19, 2011. FROM THE VERY FIRST DAY WE STARTED HAVING ISSUES WHERE THE BRAKES WOULD NOT BRAKE AT TIMES AND WOULD HAVE BOUTS OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. FROM THE FIRST DAY OF PURCHASE WE ADVISED THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AND EVEN BROUGHT IN OUR VEHICLE TO BE LOOKED AT. THEY REFUSED TO DO ANY KIND OF DIAGNOSTIC AND SAID THAT I WAS BEING A PARANOID WOMAN AND NEW MOMS TEND TO WORRY TOO MUCH. MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE BOTH DRIVEN THIS VEHICLE AND EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE. WE ADVISED HYUNDAI, THE DEALERSHIP AND OUR INSURANCE COMPANY OF THE ISSUE. EACH TIME WE BROUG…”
NHTSA complaint #10605008, 2013 · crash

“The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH and turning to the right, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the power steering assist module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11623825, 2024

“When the car stops at a stop sign or traffic light the engine sometimes stalls and the engine and EPS warning light turn on. Also sometimes when trying to accelerate, acceleration is not possible, especially on the highway. This is a major safety risk of rear-end accidents.”
NHTSA complaint #11475901, 2022

Structure 9 1 crash 1 fire 1 injury

“TAKATA RECALL. MY WIFE WAS SIDESWIPED BY A HIT AND RUN DRIVER AND RAN OFF THE ROAD ONTO A ROUGH VACANT FIELD. AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY AND SHE HIT HER HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND SUFFERED A SKULL FRACTURE. TWO WEEKS AFTER THE ACCIDENT SHE STARTED HAVING MEMORY PROBLEMS AND HAS SUFFERED 5 STROKES AND A CT SCAN SHOWS BRAIN DAMAGE. THIS HAS GONE ON SINCE APRIL OF 2012 AND THE CAR WAS JUST A FEW MONTHS OLD WITH APPROXIMATELY 8,000 MILES ON THE CAR. IT DID ABOUT $ 8000.00 DOLLARS IN DAMAGE WHICH WAS NEVER REPAIRED RIGHT UNTIL ALFA INSURANCE COMPANY IN ALABAMA SENT US TO THE BEST BODY MAN AROUND A…”
NHTSA complaint #10837597, 2012 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“MY VEHICLE HAS CAUGHT FIRE ON 11/14/20 AS IT WAS PARKED AT RESIDENT. WE HEARD A POP SOUND AND THEN FIRE STARTED. JUNE I HAD MY BATTERY REPLACE. FEB I HAD ISSUE WITH THE )2 SENSOR THAT HAS BEEN TAKEN CAR OF. AFTER THE FIRE I RECEIVED A RECAL NOTICE.”
NHTSA complaint #11375274, 2020 · fire

“The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear driver's side tire suddenly became flat. There was an abnormal sound coming from the infotainment system and the vehicle was shuddering. The contact stated that the front driver's side and the rear passenger's side windows were stuck and had to be manually raised. The check engine, air bag, and low tire pressure warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the f…”
NHTSA complaint #11633874, 2024

Tires 9

“The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear driver's side tire suddenly became flat. There was an abnormal sound coming from the infotainment system and the vehicle was shuddering. The contact stated that the front driver's side and the rear passenger's side windows were stuck and had to be manually raised. The check engine, air bag, and low tire pressure warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the f…”
NHTSA complaint #11633874, 2024

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2012 HYUNDAI ACCENT EQUIPPED WITH NEXEN TIRES, TIRE LINE: N5000 PLUS, TIRE SIZE: 195/50/R16, DOT NUMBER: 8ELVLMFR0415. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE WAS CONSTANTLY FLAT WITH THE TPMS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TPMS WARNING LIGHT WAS FIRST FLASHING HOWEVER, BECAME CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DUE TO THE TPMS WARNING LIGHT FLASHING, THE RADIO AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS BECAME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO INFLATE THE TIRE DUE TO THE VALVE STEM ISSUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE D…”
NHTSA complaint #11354441, 2020

“3 OUT 4 OF THE STOCK KUMHO TIRES HAVE NOW DEVELOPED BUBBLES IN THE SIDE WALLS. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10526303, 2013

Suspension 7

“The Scanning System will track this Mold. It can degrade and split. The gas tank is moldy and looks damp. It Can Cause Fire The Fuel Filler Tube Clamp This Mold Can Cause Fire”
NHTSA complaint #11580801, 2024

“This car has a recall which put my child and others at risk. It also has a recall for excessive corrosion, which has made the suspension unrepairable. It only has 124K miles. I would like Hyundai to take the car from me and give me the remaining value so I can reimburse my child, who had to buy a car that was safe to drive.”
NHTSA complaint #11558659, 2023

“I HAVE HAD A CLUNKING NOISE ON THIS VEHICLE SINCE BUYING IT. IT WOULD MAKE THE NOISE ON THE SMALLEST BUMB, SLOWING DOWN, TURNING, AND ON THE HIGHWAY. THE PREVIOUS OWNER SAID SHE TRIED GETTING IT FIXED BUT NO ONE COULD PINPOINT WHERE THE NOUSE WAS COMING FROM. I ASKED AROUND I GOT THE SAME RESPONSE,ALSO TOLD, "IF IT'S NOT MESSING WITH YOUR PERFORMANCE, IGNORE IT." RECENTLY GOING OVER BUMB IT STARTED MAKING ANOTHER SQUEAK NOISE, I WENT TO A TIRE SHOP AND ASKED FOR THEM TO LOOK AT MY SWAY BAR, TUR S OTHER TOP MOUNT OF MY DRIVER SIDE STRUT HAD A BOLT THAT COULD NOT BE TIGHTENED DOWN.”
NHTSA complaint #11376410, 2020

Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 5

“TAMARA RECALL MY CAR KEEPS SHUTTING OFF AND WON'T GET ANY RPMS AND IT DOESN'T SHOW ANYTHING ON THE CODE READER, ONE OF THOSE TIMES I HAD KIDS IN THE CAR AND I HAD NO BRAKES AT ALL WHEN IT SHUT OFF THE ENGINE BUT KEPT THE RADIO ON”
NHTSA complaint #11255760, 2019

“CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FOR KNOCK SENSOR KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF. THIS IS CONSTANCE ISSUE THAT I HAVE BEEN HAVING. I HAVE NOTIFY THE DEALERSHIP BUT THEY ARR SAYING THAT THERR IS NO RECALL REGARDING KNOCK SENSOR ON A 2012 HYUNDAI ACCENT GLS.”
NHTSA complaint #11096927, 2018

“WHILE DRIVE ABOUT 60 MPH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON (02/20/2018). I WENT TO GET THE CODES READ BY A LOCAL AUTO PARTS STORE. THE CODES P050A AND P0326 WERE IDENTIFIED. I HAVE HAD MANY ISSUES WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON WITH THE SAME CODES. WHEN I MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO GET IT CHECKED OUT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES OFF. I HAVE JUST HAD MY VEHICLE INSPECTED AND EMISSION TEST COMPLETED BY THE #1 COCHRAN HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP (MONROEVILLE, PA) ON 02/16/2018. THIS SEEMS TO BE A CONTINUOUS ISSUE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON FOR MAYBE A WEEK OR SO THEN GOES OFF FOR A WEEK OR SO.”
NHTSA complaint #11074061, 2018

Wheels 5

“This car has lost air in the tires even after installing new tires . The rims are rusting through on the backside . The check tire light has come on about every 1 1/2 months . I finally found out why the other day . A tire finally went flat setting with out use . This time when I stuck it in the dunk tank I was able to see tiny bubbles on the back side of the rim. I also noted significate rust. This is a dangerous situation with all the wheels. When wire brushing the wheel to apply Epoxy the hole opened up and immediately deflated. After cleaning the wheel I applied Epoxy but it is only a te…”
NHTSA complaint #11547245, 2023

“Rear wheels make squeaking noises and steel wheel is to hot to touch and breaks smell like they are burning”
NHTSA complaint #11446799, 2022

“I WAS TRAVELING HOME FROM THE STORE MAY 3RD 2014 AND CAME INTO A CURVE ON ROUTE 20 BETWEEN PRINCETON AND ATHENS W.V.. THE CURVE WAS TO THE RIGHT IN A LOW BUT STEEP BANK AT 40 MPH AND THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL CALIPER GRABBED CAUSING IMMEDIATE LOSS OF SPEED AND CAUSED MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL BUT REGAINED AS SOON AS THE CALIPER RELEASED WHICH WAS IN APPROXIMATELY TWO SECONDS. FORTUNATELY NO ONCOMING TRAFFIC WAS AROUND OR IT COULD HAVE BEEN MESSY. THE WHEEL WAS FEELING SLUGGISH AFTER THE INCIDENT AND I'M NO LONGER HAPPY WITH THIS VEHICLE, IT IS TO DANGEROUS. THE SAME THING JUST HAPPENED AGAIN TODAY…”
NHTSA complaint #10586425, 2014

Engine And Engine Cooling 4

“The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was driven to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that gasoline was leaking from the fuel pump, and the fuel cap needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was driven to the dealer another time and…”
NHTSA complaint #11608478, 2023

“The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil with the oil warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11555049, 2023

“The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that after receiving an oil change on the vehicle and driving approximately 20 MPH, there was a knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that there was a metal-on-metal sound. There was an air temperature sensor warning light illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic with an oil control valve failure. The oil control valve was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 116,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11471992, 2022

Visibility/Wiper 3

“WHEN IT GETS COLD FRONT WIPERS STOP WORKING, WHEN IT WARMS UP THEY START WORKING AGAIN. DANGEROUS WHEN IT SNOWS AS WIPERS STOP WITH NO WARNING..”
NHTSA complaint #11151850, 2018

“WHILE DRIVING I TURNED ON THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER AND NOTICED THAT WATER WAS COMING INSIDE INSTEAD OF ON THE OUTSIDE WHICH IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN I WAS DRIVING”
NHTSA complaint #11000924, 2014

“WHEN I TURN ON THE REAS\R TO CLEAN THE WINDSHIELD WIPER DOES NOT CLEAR THE WATER WHEN I LOOK THRU THE REARVIEW MIRROR THE WIPER GOES BACK AND FORT AND DOES NOT WIPE THE WATER OFF WHEN IT RAINS DOES NOT WIPE OFF THE WATER. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10660926, 2014

Fuel System 2

“The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was driven to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that gasoline was leaking from the fuel pump, and the fuel cap needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was driven to the dealer another time and…”
NHTSA complaint #11608478, 2023

“7/15/2012, WHILE PULLING OFF FROM A STOP OIL AND BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND VEHICLE LOST POWER. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES LATER, VEHICLE EXPERIENCE SAME PROBLEM. SHUTTING VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTING CORRECTED INSTANT PROBLEM. NO FAULT CODES STORED. DEALERSHIP REMOVED, CLEANED AND RE-INSTALLED THROTTLE BODY AND SUGGESTED USING ONLY EXXON, MOBILE OR SHELL GASOLINE. 7/17/2014, WHILE SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT, OIL AND BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND VEHICLE STALLED. WOULD CRANK BUT NOT START. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. NO FAULT CODES STORED. DEALERSHIP REPLACED HIGH…”
NHTSA complaint #10626461, 2014

Seat Belts 2 1 crash 1 injury

“TAKATA RECALL. MY WIFE WAS SIDESWIPED BY A HIT AND RUN DRIVER AND RAN OFF THE ROAD ONTO A ROUGH VACANT FIELD. AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY AND SHE HIT HER HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND SUFFERED A SKULL FRACTURE. TWO WEEKS AFTER THE ACCIDENT SHE STARTED HAVING MEMORY PROBLEMS AND HAS SUFFERED 5 STROKES AND A CT SCAN SHOWS BRAIN DAMAGE. THIS HAS GONE ON SINCE APRIL OF 2012 AND THE CAR WAS JUST A FEW MONTHS OLD WITH APPROXIMATELY 8,000 MILES ON THE CAR. IT DID ABOUT $ 8000.00 DOLLARS IN DAMAGE WHICH WAS NEVER REPAIRED RIGHT UNTIL ALFA INSURANCE COMPANY IN ALABAMA SENT US TO THE BEST BODY MAN AROUND A…”
NHTSA complaint #10837597, 2012 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“I START THE CAR AND THE AIR BAG SENSOR COMES ON AND STAYS ON, THEN THE PASSENGERS SEAT BELT COMES ON WHIEN I HAVE A PASSENGER SEATED THERE. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFTEY ISSUE AND HYUNDAII SHOULD FIX IT!!!! I CONTACTED HYUNDAI CUSTOMER SUPPORT, THEY STATED ITS MY PROBLEM AND THEY WOULD NOT HELP.”
NHTSA complaint #11006115, 2017

Exterior Lighting 1

“I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD DURING THE DAY AND LOOKED DOWN AND MY HIGH BEAMS WERE ON. I WASN'T SURE WHY SINCE MY LIGHTS WERE IN THE OFF POSITION. I TRIED PLAYING WITH THE LIGHTING SWITCH ON THE INSIDE OF MY CAR, AND IT FINALLY TURNED OFF AFTER FLASHING THE HIGH BEAMS ON AND OFF WITH THE SWITCH A FEW TIMES. I TOOK A PICTURE, AND THEN STARTED DRIVING, ABOUT A MILE OR SO DOWN THE ROAD, THE HIGH BEAMS CAME BACK ON, SO I HEADED TOWARD THE DEALERSHIP, AND PEOPLE WERE MOVING OUT OF MY WAY ON THE TWO LANE HIGHWAY SINCE MY HIGH BEAMS WERE ON. THE SAID WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE, THEY COU…”
NHTSA complaint #10554574, 2012

Firerelated 1 1 fire 2 injury

“The contact owned a 2012 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, there was a smoke odor present inside the vehicle. The contact decelerated the vehicle and stalled on the side of the road. The vehicle caught on fire in the engine. The contact and the front passenger sustained minor injuries to their knee while exiting the vehicle but did not seek medical attention. The fire was extinguished by the Fire Department. A fire report was filed. A police report was not filed. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was destroyed.  The manufacturer was not noti…”
NHTSA complaint #11580676, 2024 · fire · 2 injury(ies)

Power Train 1

“THE CAR IS LESS THAN 8 YEARS OLD , MAINTNANCE PROPERLY, THERE IS NO WHERE VISIBLE TO CHECK TRANSMISSION FLUID DURING A ROUTINE FLUID CHANGE AND WHEN I HAD THE TRANSMISSION CHECKED AND THE FLUID IT WAS FINE . ALL OF A SUDDEN 3 DAYS LATER MY TRANSMISSION IS STUCK IN 4TH GEAR NOW IT WONT MOVE BACK OR FORWARD . I HAVE NOTICED THAT A LOT OF ACCENT OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM AND SOME SOONER AFTER HAVING THEIRS THAN MINE.”
NHTSA complaint #11088334, 2018

How we read this (methodology)

How to read this: raw complaint totals are not a clean reliability score — a model year with more cars sold, or simply more years on the road, accumulates more complaints regardless of how good it is. So this page leans on two signals that are not distorted by sales volume: the share of complaints falling on each vehicle system (the breakdown above) and NHTSA's own crash / fire / injury / death flags. When we compare model years of the same model, we normalise by years on the road (complaints ÷ vehicle age) rather than comparing raw totals. Age-normalised, the 2012 Hyundai Accent draws about 10.1 complaints per year on the road, ranking 1 of 13 among the Hyundai Accent model years we have ingested (1 = most complaints per year on road).

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