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Research · Compact Cars

2011 Hyundai AccentRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 38 owner complaints for the 2011 Hyundai Accent. Most complaints involve electrical system (10) and engine (10). The EPA rates it 29–30 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
29–30mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Sep 2015
Owner complaints
38
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,100est.
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 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

38 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2011 – Aug 2026
  1. Electrical system10
  2. Engine10
  3. Air bags7
  4. Vehicle speed control5
  5. Service brakes3
  6. Steering3
  7. Exterior lighting3
  8. Electronic stability control (esc)2
  9. Seat belts1

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
2016103
201768
201819
201931
202012
202116
202217
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
3
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

10 reports
“The vehicle is subject to Safety Recall 13V-113 (Campaign 131) for problems relating to the brake light switch. The recall repair was attempted in 2016 but the defect has recurred (current symptoms include but is not limited to: brake lights sporadically staying on with car off, key removed and all doors securely closed. This condition has caused the Battery to be repeatedly completely drained and has required a Battery replacement. Domino Effect of a Faulty Signal - Defective Switch causes intermittent, erratic, or "ghost" signals to the vehicles logic relays and computer elements. Logic Processor Confusion and Relay Chatter can mimic a relay or component failure and can lead to PCM, TCM, BCM faults, errors and vulnerability. Additionally and in the present case the ABS and Brake Warning Alert Lights have now come on as well on the Dashboard. These warning lights are not sporadic but are now apparently permanent. The dealership is refusing a second free repair, incorrectly claiming a "one-time fix" limit. Hyundai Corporate Case #42932438 was filed but ignored.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 6, 2026Electrical system, Service brakesODI 11755267

Engine

10 reports
“My car is experiencing the same issue as the recall on the engines for sonatas and Elantra in my year. My vehicle experienced a stall while in a drive thru the oil light illuminated and ever since then I have a ticking sound in the engine.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 23, 2024EngineODI 11584706

Air bags

7 reports3 crashes
“"TAKATA RECALL" MY AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR 6 MONTHS AT THE SAME TIME A RATTLE BEGAN IN THE AREA OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. I RECEIVED A CARD FROM TK HOLDINGS GIVING ME A SITE TO CHECK IF MY AIRBAG IS RECALLED. THE SITE DOES NOT WORK. THE SITE INDICATED ON THE CARD IS WWW.AIRBAGRECALL.COM. A PAGE COMES UP TO ENTER VIN BUT WHEN I ENTER IT, IT KEEPS KICKING BAG TO THE ENTER VIN PAGE. I CALLED THE NUMBER AND IT TELLS ME TO GO TO THAT PAGE. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT TO DO.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 14, 2017Air bagsODI 11046099
All 2011 Accent problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
1.6L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-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 10, 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
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
273530$2,100296
Accent
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
273330$2,100296
Accent Blue
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
263529$2,150306
  • Accent
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L
    27 city · 35 hwy · $2,100/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Accent
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L
    27 city · 33 hwy · $2,100/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Accent Blue
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L
    26 city · 35 hwy · $2,150/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 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 2011 Hyundai Accent as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 299Vehicle 298
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

2011 Accent questions

How many recalls does the 2011 Hyundai Accent have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 10, 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 2011 Hyundai Accent problems?

Owners filed 38 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (10), engine (10), air bags (7). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2011 Hyundai Accent get?

The EPA rates the 2011 Hyundai Accent at 29–30 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026