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Research · Compact Cars · 2 NHTSA variants

2010 Hyundai AccentRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 87 owner complaints for the 2010 Hyundai Accent. Most complaints involve service brakes (17) and exterior lighting (16). The EPA rates it 30–31 mpg combined.

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Combined MPG
30–31mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Sep 2015
Owner complaints
87
Top: service brakes
Fuel cost / yr
$2,000est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Exterior lighting: switch

Free remedy

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Hyundai Accent vehicles manufactured March 1, 2009, to February 11, 2011. In the affected vehicles, the brake light switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning brake light switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning brake light switch may also prevent the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position.

Exterior lightingReported Sep 8, 2015NHTSA 15V566000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

87 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2009 – Jan 2026
  1. Service brakes17
  2. Exterior lighting16
  3. Electrical system12
  4. Visibility/wiper11
  5. Air bags10
  6. Visibility8
  7. Engine7
  8. Steering7
  9. Service brakes, hydraulic5

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Accent model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996102
199759
199848
199966
200643
200788
2008101
2009101
201087
201138
2012153
2013142
201480
201570
2016102
201768
201819
201931
202012
202116
202217
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
4
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Service brakes

17 reports3 crashes
“Brake line corrosion and leak on drivers side. Location approximately where drivers door meets passenger door. It appears that all of the brake lines except a one foot section in the above location are coated with a hard rubber for corrosion protection. The one foot section in question however is raw metal which is "protected" on the bottom side by a removable plastic covering. The covering is clearly inadequate as the brake line rusted through, potentially causing a serious accident. I notice that Canada has some recalls on Hyandai vehicles other than the Accent for rusty brake lines.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 15, 2024Service brakesODI 11583122

Exterior lighting

16 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ACCENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARD LIGHTS, AND TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO FAULT CODE FROM THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V566000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,001.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 6, 2015Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 10788889

Electrical system

12 reports
“The wiring connection between the blower motor into the hvac resistor is melting. There looks to be burn marks on the plastic female plug that goes into the resistor. I sometimes smell like plastic is burning. I have to keep fan at MAX speed to not use the resistor at all. I believe this could be a fire hazard.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 11, 2023Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11501208
All 2010 Accent problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
1.6L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Accent Blue
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
273631$2,000287
Accent
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
273630$2,100296
Accent
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
283430$2,100296
  • Accent Blue
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L
    27 city · 36 hwy · $2,000/yr
    31
    mpg comb.
  • Accent
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L
    27 city · 36 hwy · $2,100/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Accent
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L
    28 city · 34 hwy · $2,100/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2010 Hyundai Accent as of Nov 9, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 5753Vehicle 5754
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2010 Accent questions

How many recalls does the 2010 Hyundai Accent have?

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.

What are the most common 2010 Hyundai Accent problems?

Owners filed 87 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes (17), exterior lighting (16), electrical system (12). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2010 Hyundai Accent get?

The EPA rates the 2010 Hyundai Accent at 30–31 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026