Problems · NHTSA complaints

2011 Hyundai Accent problems

Owners filed 38 complaints about the 2011 Hyundai Accent with NHTSA between Mar 2011 and Aug 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (10).

Complaints
38
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  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
  10. Wheels1
  11. Fuel/propulsion system1
  12. Tires1
  13. Suspension1
  14. Visibility/wiper1

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20111
20123
20133
20148
20157
20162
20172
20184
20192
20201
20210
20220
20232
20241
20251
20261

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

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

Vehicle speed control

5 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI ACCENT. AS THE CONTACT BEGAN TO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY TO 50 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MOVED THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO NEUTRAL AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED ONTO THE CURB AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 13627256. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 19, 2018Vehicle speed controlODI 11162543

Service brakes

3 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI ACCENT. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKES PREMATURELY WORE OUT. THE BRAKES REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 27, 2015Service brakesODI 10786305

Steering

3 reports1 crash
“Key ignition locked, key would not turn and steering wheel locked while driving. Previously checked by Auto nation hyundai in Savannah, GA. They could not get it to lock up. Drove a few weeks and it locked up again while driving and would not unlock. Hyundai could not get it unlocked or the key to turn. Advised this is a major expense. Needs a new steering column and new ignition. This was extremely dangerous locking while driving. I would like this reviewed as a safety danger and a manufacturing problem.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 3, 2023SteeringODI 11530108
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026

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