NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 66 owner complaints for the 1999 Hyundai Accent. Most complaints involve air bags (15) and power train (15). The EPA rates it 26–28 mpg combined.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID VALVE SEALS DO NOT REMAIN SUFFICIENTLY ELASTIC, RESULTING IN TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKAGE. THIS LEAKAGE CAN RESULT IN REDUCED PRESSURE APPLICATION TO THE CLUTCHES, BRAKE, AND KICKDOWN SERVO, ALLOWING THEM TO SLIP.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Accent model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 102 |
| 1997 | 59 |
| 1998 | 48 |
| 1999 | 66 |
| 2006 | 43 |
| 2007 | 88 |
| 2008 | 101 |
| 2009 | 101 |
| 2010 | 87 |
| 2011 | 38 |
| 2012 | 153 |
| 2013 | 142 |
| 2014 | 80 |
| 2015 | 70 |
| 2016 | 102 |
| 2017 | 68 |
| 2018 | 19 |
| 2019 | 31 |
| 2020 | 12 |
| 2021 | 16 |
| 2022 | 17 |
“MY 1999 HYUNDAI ACCENT VEHICLE GOT HIT ON THE REAR (BUMPER) WHILE I WAS STILL ON A RED LIGHT AND THE IMPACT WAS SO STRONG THAT THE HIT PROPELLED MY VEHICLE TO HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE (A SUBURBAN TRUCK) CAUSING REAR AND FRONT DAMAGES TO THE HYUNDAI. THE SUBURBAN INCURRED ZERO DAMAGES, WHILE THE LIMOUSINE THAT HIT ME INCURRED VERY LITTLE DAMAGES IF ANY. MY VEHICLE GOT 'SANDWICH' EVEN THOUGH I WAS ABOUT 4 TO 6 FEET BEHIND THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. MY CHILDREN WERE ON THE REAR SEATS AND INCURRED LIMITED INJURIES. I RECEIVED INJURIES AND VEHICLE WAS TOTAL LOST. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT ANYTIME. I CONTACTED THE HYUNDAI CORPORATE AND AN INVESTIGATION IS YET TO BE SCHEDULED. I RECEIVED WRITTEN CONFIRMATION THAT MY HYUNDAI VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN THE ONLY ONE WITH AIRBAGS DEPLOYMENT FAILURE. THAT TO ME IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED ACCORDINGLY. *TR”
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HYUNDAI ACCENT. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT RESPOND WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSES THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V17800. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 84,621 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000. UPDATED 11/14/08 *CN UPDATED 11/19/08. *JB”
“1999 HYUNDAI ACCENT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FIRE WHILE DRIVING *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE TEN DAYS AFTER PURCHASING IT. THE CONSUMER STATED HER DAUGHTER WAS SITTING AT A RED LIGHT, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE AND IT SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *JB”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accent Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 34 | 28 | $2,200 | 317 |
| Accent Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 33 | 26 | $2,400 | 342 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
1 safety recall as of Nov 9, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 66 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (15), power train (15), engine and engine cooling (8). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1999 Hyundai Accent at 26–28 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).