Hyundai Accent Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Hyundai Accent model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2020 drew the fewest (12) and the 2012 the most (153).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Among the fewest complaints |
12 | 4 | Engine | 4★ | 33–36 |
| 2021 Among the fewest complaints |
16 | 4 | Seat belts | 4★ | 33–36 |
| 2022 | 17 | 2 | Electrical system | 4★ | 36 |
| 2018 Among the fewest complaints |
19 | 1 | Engine | — | 31–32 |
| 2019 | 31 | 1 | Engine | — | 31–32 |
| 2004 | 33 | 0 | Air bags | — | — |
| 2003 | 37 | 0 | Air bags | — | — |
| 2011 | 38 | 1 | Electrical system | — | 29–30 |
| 2006 | 43 | 3 | Air bags | — | 28–29 |
| 2005 | 49 | 1 | Exterior lighting | — | — |
| 2017 | 68 | 0 | Engine | 4★ | 30–31 |
| 2015 | 70 | 2 | Air bags | 4★ | 30–31 |
| 2014 | 79 | 1 | Service brakes | 4★ | 30–31 |
| 2010 | 87 | 1 | Service brakes | — | 30–31 |
| 2007 | 88 | 3 | Air bags | — | 28–29 |
| 2008 | 101 | 1 | Air bags | — | 28–29 |
| 2009 | 101 | 2 | Air bags | — | 29 |
| 2016 Among the most complaints |
101 | 0 | Engine | 4★ | 30–31 |
| 2013 Among the most complaints |
141 | 1 | Service brakes | 4★ | 31–32 |
| 2012 Among the most complaints |
153 | 2 | Service brakes | 4★ | 31–32 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Hyundai Accent years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2012 Hyundai Accent: 153 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 37 (24%); Engine 36 (24%); Electrical system 24 (16%).
Reports mention 13 crashes, 8 fires, 13 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 61,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
2013 Hyundai Accent: 141 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 42 (30%); Engine 34 (24%); Electrical system 18 (13%).
Reports mention 16 crashes, 9 fires, 23 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 45,000 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
2016 Hyundai Accent: 101 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 33 (33%); Air bags 29 (29%); Electrical system 26 (26%).
Reports mention 7 crashes, 3 fires, 8 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 50,000 miles. 0 recall campaigns listed.
The Hyundai Accent years with the fewest complaints
2020 Hyundai Accent: 12 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 4 (33%); Air bags 2 (17%); Fuel/propulsion system 2 (17%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 1 fire, 2 injuries. 4 recall campaigns listed.
2021 Hyundai Accent: 16 complaints
Most-reported: Seat belts 6 (38%); Wheels 5 (31%); Engine 4 (25%).
Reports mention 1 fire, 1 injury. 4 recall campaigns listed.
2018 Hyundai Accent: 19 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 8 (42%); Electrical system 3 (16%); Service brakes 2 (11%).
Reports mention 4 fires, 1 injury. 1 recall campaign listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Hyundai Accent owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 17 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 16 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2020 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2019 | 31 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 55,000 |
| 2018 | 19 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2017 | 68 | 9 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 51,000 |
| 2016 | 101 | 7 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 50,000 |
| 2015 | 70 | 7 | 11 | 10 | 0 | 63,589 |
| 2014 | 79 | 12 | 9 | 14 | 0 | 76,000 |
| 2013 | 141 | 16 | 9 | 23 | 0 | 45,000 |
| 2012 | 153 | 13 | 8 | 13 | 1 | 61,000 |
| 2011 | 38 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 45,000 |
| 2010 | 87 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 60,000 |
| 2009 | 101 | 9 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 71,000 |
| 2008 | 101 | 11 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 50,200 |
| 2007 | 88 | 11 | 1 | 19 | 0 | 65,066 |
| 2006 | 43 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 61,000 |
| 2005 | 49 | 9 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 60,000 |
| 2004 | 33 | 11 | 2 | 15 | 0 | 36,000 |
| 2003 | 37 | 12 | 1 | 14 | 0 | 35,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Hyundai Accent recalls
- Stop Lamp Switch may Function Intermittently (2006–2009 model years; 1,712,336 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2013; 13V113000)
- ABS Unit May Cause Engine Compartment Fire (2012–2015 model years; 1,649,478 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2023; 23V651000)
- STOP LAMP SWITCH ASSEMBLY (2006–2007 model years; 532,633 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2009; 09V122000)
- Trunk Emergency Release May Fail/FMVSS 401 (2018–2020 model years; 348,158 vehicles across all models; filed Aug 2021; 21V619000)
- Accessory Power Outlet May Overheat (2012 model year; 272,126 vehicles across all models; filed Jul 2020; 20V393000)
All 25 Hyundai Accent recall campaigns · Hyundai Accent problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Hyundai Accent years FAQ
Which Hyundai Accent year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2020 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (12). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Hyundai Accent years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2012, 2013 and 2016 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the air bags. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Hyundai Accent problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the air bags (303 of 1,284 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Hyundai Accent have?
NHTSA lists 25 recall campaigns covering the Hyundai Accent. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Hyundai Accent recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.