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2017 Hyundai Accent Problems & Owner Complaints

68 NHTSA owner complaints
9 crash 3 fire 7 injury

Age-normalised, this year draws ~6.8 complaints per year on the road — ranking 4 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 2017 Hyundai Accent, cited in 23 of 68 filed complaints (34%).

Air Bags is next (21 complaints, 31%), followed by Electrical System (9), Power Train (6), Service Brakes (5).

Across all complaints, 9 report a crash, 3 report a fire, 7 report injuries.

The most safety-critical cluster is Air Bags: 7 crash, 7 injury report(s).

Complaints by vehicle system

Owner complaints filed with the U.S. NHTSA for the 2017 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 68.

Engine 23 1 fire

“I have already submitted a report here and never had any follow up and I don't see it in the reported complaints section of this website with newer incidents already showing so I know it isn't that there is a back log. my car caught on fire while I was in the car, asleep. I have reports from the fire department, I have struggled with Hyundai for months and ultimately was denied any assistance due to I was missing one of two service records. the fire report clearly stated that fire started in the cabin of the car not the engine so a lack of an oil change shouldn't have been the reason this happ…”
NHTSA complaint #11578557, 2023 · fire

“I have replaced the GDI engine on the 2017 Hyundai Accent once. I have also had the catalytic converter replaced 3x. The car lunges as if there will be another catalytic converter issue soon. Hyuandi recommended a fuel induction completion to prevent the issue from occurring again, but it did. This is a safety issue because the car and stall out at any given time. The cause of this issue has yet to be detected. It is believe a recall is needed on the GDI engine and catalytic converter.”
NHTSA complaint #11751176, 2026

“I have had this vehicle for 5 years and even replaced the engine in this vehicle for it to end up with the same issue. I take very good care of it and get its maintenance done. But the car is slow to get up to speed and misfires really bad. I replaced the spark plugs in it and they were coated in oil. The airbag sensor will come on indicating it’s not operating properly. Overall a very unreliable vehicle that has multiple issues. It has ended in catastrophic engine failure twice now”
NHTSA complaint #11721938, 2026

Air Bags 21 7 crash 7 injury

“The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated while the contact's daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact's vehicle was involved in a head-on collision. The contact stated that the oncoming vehicle failed to stop at the stop sign, and resulted in a head-on collision. In addition, the contact stated that it resulted in a five-vehicle crash. The contact's vehicle was severely damaged to the entire front of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The contact's vehicle was towed to the local tow yard. The paramedics and the police arrived on the scene. A Poli…”
NHTSA complaint #11624719, 2024 · crash · 4 injury(ies)

“ON EASTER SUNDAY 04/01/2018 I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT THAT CAUSED ,$ 10,800.00 IN FRONT END COLLISION DAMAGE , NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE RESULTING COLLISION CAUSED MY SEATBELT ON BREAK 3 OF MY LEFT RIBS . I HAD ACCIDENTALLY DROPPED A CLOSED WATER BOTTLE BETWEEN MY LEGS , SAID BOTTLE THEN ROLLED UP UNDER BRAKE PEDAL , AFTER I LOOKED DOWN TO SEE WHERE IT WENT I LOOKED UP TO MY HORROR DISCOVERED A RED ISHTAR WITH A CAR STOPPED IF FRONT OF ME . I SLAM ON WHAT BRAKE I HAD AVAILABLE CUT SHELL HARD RIGHT AND COLLIDED LEFT FRONT OF MY CAR INTO RIGHT REAR OF BUMPER IN FRONT OF ME , I THEN RICOCHET INTO GUA…”
NHTSA complaint #11096678, 2018 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 HYUNDAI ACCENT. WHILE DRIVING 74 MPH, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY IN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AFTER BEING STRUCK ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE QUARTER PANEL. THE VEHICLE TRAVELED OVER THE MEDIAN, STRUCK AN EMBANKMENT, ROLLED OVER, AND LANDED ON ITS ROOF. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THAT CONTACT SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION, HEAD LACERATION, AND A FRACTURED COLLAR BONE THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT…”
NHTSA complaint #11022080, 2017 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

Unknown Or Other 16 1 crash 3 fire 1 injury

“NOT EXACTLY SURE WHEN BUT MY 'PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF' LIGHT STARTED TO RANDOMLY APPEAR AND NEVER TURNS OFF DESPITE THERE BEING A PASSENGER. ALSO MY BACK SEATS WOULD NOT LATCH CLOSED, CREATING AN UNSAFE RIDING TIME FOR A CHILD IN A BOOSTER SEAT. WHICH IS A HUGE CONCERN BECAUSE I FREQUENTLY PROVIDE RIDES FOR TWO YOUNG CHILDREN MY AIR CONDITIONING UNIT BECOMES SO HOT THAT MY FEET ARE LITERALLY BURNING ME. I END UP TAKING MY SOCKS AND SHOES OFF DUE TO HOW HOT IT GETS. THE MOTOR FOR THE ENGINE IS INCREDIBLY LOUD DESPITE THE SMALL AMOUNT OF MILES. I HAVE ISSUES WITH ACCELERATING FROM STOP”
NHTSA complaint #11348519, 2020 · 1 injury(ies)

“I have already submitted a report here and never had any follow up and I don't see it in the reported complaints section of this website with newer incidents already showing so I know it isn't that there is a back log. my car caught on fire while I was in the car, asleep. I have reports from the fire department, I have struggled with Hyundai for months and ultimately was denied any assistance due to I was missing one of two service records. the fire report clearly stated that fire started in the cabin of the car not the engine so a lack of an oil change shouldn't have been the reason this happ…”
NHTSA complaint #11578557, 2023 · fire

“The vehicle made a large “pop” sound, lost power and a fire started at the engine. After the “pop” was heard, the check engine flashed on, then the car died. Noticed a smoke smell, jumped out of car and saw flames. Entire car was engulfed in minutes. No issues to the car prior to incident.”
NHTSA complaint #11422167, 2021 · fire

Electrical System 9 1 fire

“I have already submitted a report here and never had any follow up and I don't see it in the reported complaints section of this website with newer incidents already showing so I know it isn't that there is a back log. my car caught on fire while I was in the car, asleep. I have reports from the fire department, I have struggled with Hyundai for months and ultimately was denied any assistance due to I was missing one of two service records. the fire report clearly stated that fire started in the cabin of the car not the engine so a lack of an oil change shouldn't have been the reason this happ…”
NHTSA complaint #11578557, 2023 · fire

“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2017 Hyundai Accent. The contact discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 115,000. It was later discovered upon checking the Carfax Report, that the mileage was 176,504.”
NHTSA complaint #11713961, 2026

“Car got broken into and now has no wipers, bumper is falling off and mirror is cracked. Not happy that there wasn't a vehicle immobilized system in a car like this.”
NHTSA complaint #11519146, 2022

Power Train 6

“I started burning oil and was going through a quart of oil every 150 miles, then due to the excess oil consumption my catalytic converter went out.”
NHTSA complaint #11523178, 2023

“The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that on several occasions while the vehicle was idling, she depressed the accelerator pedal however, the vehicle hesitated and then lunged forward. The contact stated that while the vehicle was shifted into neutral, the engine revved but then failed to engage in a timely manner when shifted to the intended gear. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximat…”
NHTSA complaint #11499365, 2022

“The contact's mother owns a 2017 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated while attempting to place the vehicle into reverse(R), the vehicle shifted into drive(D). Additionally, while shifting to neutral(N) the vehicle inadvertently shifted into drive(D). The contact stated that once the vehicle was moving forward, the vehicle shifted as intended. The contact stated that the check engine and engine oil warning lights were illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to a dealer and the vehicle was diagnosed and it was determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired…”
NHTSA complaint #11465837, 2022

Service Brakes 5 1 crash

“WHEN STOPPING ABRUPTLY, GOING AT 15-20MPH ON A MAIN STREET IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, NO SNOW OR RAIN, THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSHES BACK AS IF SOMETHING IS STOPPING THE PEDAL FROM GOING DOWN, IT MAKES A LOUD GRINDING NOISE, AND DOESN'T STOP THE CAR LET ALONE SLOW IT DOWN. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME 3 TIMES ALREADY, ONE RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT! I'VE ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR MAYBE 4 MONTHS AND I DON'T FEEL SAFE AT ALL.”
NHTSA complaint #11195646, 2019 · crash

“My car is making a weird sound, and feel like the brakes are dragging something. But I have no lights on the dash board and keep up with the maintenance. I Also received a new transmission for city world hyundai before all of this.”
NHTSA complaint #11432100, 2021

“THE BRAKING SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE IN MY 2017 HYUNDAI ACCENT. I HAVE HAD IT TO THE HEADQUARTER HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS TO HAVE THE DANGEROUS PROBLEM FIXED. AFTER THE 3RD TIME I EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM, I TOOK IT AGAIN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE CAR IS UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY. THE PROBLEM IS THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR BOARD AS MY BRAKES LOCK UP CAUSING THE FRONT TIRES TO LOCK UP THUS CAUSING MY CAR TO CONTINUE FORWARD WITHOUT ANY ABS SYSTEM BEING USED BY THE CAR BRAKING SYSTEM TO KEEP THE FRONT TIRES FROM LOCKING UP. ON THE THIRD TIME I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO…”
NHTSA complaint #11316488, 2019

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Fuel/Propulsion System 4

“I have had this vehicle for 5 years and even replaced the engine in this vehicle for it to end up with the same issue. I take very good care of it and get its maintenance done. But the car is slow to get up to speed and misfires really bad. I replaced the spark plugs in it and they were coated in oil. The airbag sensor will come on indicating it’s not operating properly. Overall a very unreliable vehicle that has multiple issues. It has ended in catastrophic engine failure twice now”
NHTSA complaint #11721938, 2026

“For the past year I keep having to replace the catalytic converter, ignition coils and spark plugs every 2/3months. I just replaced the catalytic converter in October with a tune up. A month later had to replace spark plugs.”
NHTSA complaint #11703911, 2025

“Bad engine crankshaft, engine is still under 150k miles. Experiencing same issues as other models with this engine have. Other vehicles have received a recall for engine and extended warranty protection but not this model Pressing on gas throttle but low acceleration or none in some instances”
NHTSA complaint #11595882, 2024

Structure 4 1 crash 1 injury

“ON EASTER SUNDAY 04/01/2018 I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT THAT CAUSED ,$ 10,800.00 IN FRONT END COLLISION DAMAGE , NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE RESULTING COLLISION CAUSED MY SEATBELT ON BREAK 3 OF MY LEFT RIBS . I HAD ACCIDENTALLY DROPPED A CLOSED WATER BOTTLE BETWEEN MY LEGS , SAID BOTTLE THEN ROLLED UP UNDER BRAKE PEDAL , AFTER I LOOKED DOWN TO SEE WHERE IT WENT I LOOKED UP TO MY HORROR DISCOVERED A RED ISHTAR WITH A CAR STOPPED IF FRONT OF ME . I SLAM ON WHAT BRAKE I HAD AVAILABLE CUT SHELL HARD RIGHT AND COLLIDED LEFT FRONT OF MY CAR INTO RIGHT REAR OF BUMPER IN FRONT OF ME , I THEN RICOCHET INTO GUA…”
NHTSA complaint #11096678, 2018 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“October 2017 I purchased a 2017 Hyundai Accent. During my very first month driving this car right bumper clip broke. As I was under warranty took car in complained to the dealership. A tech came out and basically wacked it back in place. So now I notice both left and right sides of bumper are off track. My son is a licensed mechanic. Before I took it back to dealership he had checked and said mom your clip is broke. So he looks back under it again and now BOTH clips are broke. On 9/13/17 go back in. Hyundai notes in my paperwork clips are broke but failed to repair again at a little over 30,0…”
NHTSA complaint #11561024, 2023

“ON 5/22/19 THE LEFT TIRE BLEW OUT AND ON THE5/23/2019 THE REAR BUMPER FELL OFF THE INTERSTATE. I JUST LEASED THIS USED CAR ON THE 4/15/19. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY REFUSED TO HELP. DEALER STATED IT'S WEAR AND TEAR. IT'S ONLY BEEN A MONTH.”
NHTSA complaint #11209557, 2019

Vehicle Speed Control 3 1 injury

“NOT EXACTLY SURE WHEN BUT MY 'PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF' LIGHT STARTED TO RANDOMLY APPEAR AND NEVER TURNS OFF DESPITE THERE BEING A PASSENGER. ALSO MY BACK SEATS WOULD NOT LATCH CLOSED, CREATING AN UNSAFE RIDING TIME FOR A CHILD IN A BOOSTER SEAT. WHICH IS A HUGE CONCERN BECAUSE I FREQUENTLY PROVIDE RIDES FOR TWO YOUNG CHILDREN MY AIR CONDITIONING UNIT BECOMES SO HOT THAT MY FEET ARE LITERALLY BURNING ME. I END UP TAKING MY SOCKS AND SHOES OFF DUE TO HOW HOT IT GETS. THE MOTOR FOR THE ENGINE IS INCREDIBLY LOUD DESPITE THE SMALL AMOUNT OF MILES. I HAVE ISSUES WITH ACCELERATING FROM STOP”
NHTSA complaint #11348519, 2020 · 1 injury(ies)

“WOW ENTERING THE HIGHWAY MY CAR STALLED OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC THE NEVER CUT OUT JUST WILL NOT DRIVE MORE THAN ABOUT 5 MILES AN HOUR EVEN WITH PUTTING MY FOOT ALL THE WAY DOWN ON THE PEDAL TURN IT OFF FOR 30 MINUTES STARTED BACK UP STARTED DRIVING START OUT AGAIN ALMOST CAUSING ME TO WRECK MULTIPLE TIMES NO WARNING LIGHTS OR ANYTHING POPPED UP I STILL HAVE NO LIGHTS ON MY DASH AND IT IS STILL NOT DRIVABLE HAD TO GET IT TOWED BY AAA I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW DID YOU RECORD THAT IS 3 YEARS OLD IS HAVING THIS ISSUE WITH NO WARNING I'M VERY BLESSED THAT MY CHILDREN WEREN'T IN THE CAR CONSIDERIN…”
NHTSA complaint #11374624, 2020

“THE DASH LIGHTS; BRAKE, ABS, AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS COME ON. THE SPEEDOMETER ALSO DOES NOT WORK WHILE DRIVING. THE GAS GAUGE IS GOING UP AND DOWN AND NOT SHOWING THE CORRECT GAS. THE ELECTRICAL APPEARS TO BE MALFUNCTIONING, BUT THE DEALER HAS YET TO RECREATE THE ISSUE. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN A SPAN OF A WEEK. VIDEOS WERE TAKEN BOTH TIMES IT OCCURRED ON 5/14/19 AND 5/20/19, BUT ARE TOO LARGE TO UPLOAD.”
NHTSA complaint #11208600, 2019

Exterior Lighting 2

“Side marker light in the passenger side (PS) headlight assembly IS NOT working. Headlight (high beam and low beam) and combination turn signal/parking light ARE working. First noticed Feb 2024. Malfunctioning marker light will cause vehicle to fail annual state safety inspection. Problem is not intermittent. Car hasn't been inspected by dealer or other shop, dealer wants $169 to inspect/troubleshoot. Owner evaluation, PS headlight assy, marker light bulb and socket are undamaged, there is no corrosion, car has not been in a crash, functioning bulb/socket from DS installed in PS did not func…”
NHTSA complaint #11577125, 2024

“AT APPROXIMATELY 22,000 MILES MY 2017 ACCENT'S BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NO LONGER WORK. MY TAIL LIGHTS ARE ON BUT MY BRAKE LIGHTS THAT ILLUMINATE BRIGHTER WHILE BRAKING WILL NOT WORK. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE THE FUSE WITH AN IDENTICAL ONE, BOUGHT NEW LIGHT BULBS, AND WILL NOW BE TAKING IT INTO A DEALERSHIP. I BELIEVE IT IS THE BRAKE SWITCH THAT IS FAULTY BUT I AM UNSURE. UT THEY ARE BOOKED FOR WEEKS AND THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY/LEGAL ISSUE. RECALL NUMBER 131”
NHTSA complaint #11348518, 2020

Engine And Engine Cooling 1

“The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger’s side air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that after a visual inspection of the vehicle, she became aware that the vehicle was leaking oil. The check engine warning light was also illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with failures to the passenger’s side occupant sensor and the catalytic converter. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was unknown.”
NHTSA complaint #11557888, 2017

Seat Belts 1

“1. The engine loses power at different random times, for no apparent or obvious reason. This loss of power has happened at low and high speeds. Nothing seems to proceed the loss of power, it can happen at interstate speeds and at low speeds such as 25mph zones. 2. Driver side seat belt does lot stay latched. It unlatches when any pressure at all is applied.”
NHTSA complaint #11555503, 2023

Steering 1

“STEERING HAS BEEN HAVING ISSUES THE STEERING WHEEL TIGHTENS UP AT TIME . AND WORKS AGAINST YOU.WHILE DRIVING AT ROAD SPEED FROM MAYBE 35-55”
NHTSA complaint #11170244, 2018

Wheels 1

“ON 5/22/19 THE LEFT TIRE BLEW OUT AND ON THE5/23/2019 THE REAR BUMPER FELL OFF THE INTERSTATE. I JUST LEASED THIS USED CAR ON THE 4/15/19. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY REFUSED TO HELP. DEALER STATED IT'S WEAR AND TEAR. IT'S ONLY BEEN A MONTH.”
NHTSA complaint #11209557, 2019

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 2017 Hyundai Accent draws about 6.8 complaints per year on the road, ranking 4 of 13 among the Hyundai Accent model years we have ingested (1 = most complaints per year on road).

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Data source: U.S. NHTSA (nhtsa.gov). SaveVIN surfaces public recall data and is not affiliated with or endorsed by NHTSA.

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