Problems · NHTSA complaints
2012 Hyundai Accent problems
Owners filed 153 complaints about the 2012 Hyundai Accent with NHTSA between Aug 2011 and Aug 2026. The most-cited component is engine (36).
Complaints
153
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
13
Reported by owners
Fires
8
Reported by owners
Injuries
13
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Engine36
- Electrical system24
- Service brakes20
- Vehicle speed control18
- Air bags17
- Service brakes, hydraulic14
- Fuel/propulsion system10
- Structure9
- Tires9
- Steering9
- Suspension7
- Wheels5
- Electronic stability control (esc)5
- Engine and engine cooling4
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
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
3
7
9
13
8
8
8
12
15
18
4
9
13
17
6
3
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 7 |
| 2013 | 9 |
| 2014 | 13 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2016 | 8 |
| 2017 | 8 |
| 2018 | 12 |
| 2019 | 15 |
| 2020 | 18 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 9 |
| 2023 | 13 |
| 2024 | 17 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 3 |
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.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Engine
36 reports7 fires
“While traveling at highway speeds on [XXX] with three passengers, the vehicle suddenly suffered a catastrophic internal engine failure (severe rod knock), forcing an emergency deceleration in active traffic that put all occupants at risk of a rear-end collision. The sudden breakdown was immediately preceded by a flashing Check Engine Light and violent metallic knocking, despite the vehicle being regularly serviced and having a Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software update completed just one month prior at Motor Mile Hyundai in Christiansburg. The catastrophic failure and the immediate need for a complete engine replacement have since been confirmed verbally by the Hyundai service center. Actual milage on engine is approx. 145000 (Because of replaced instrument cluster by previous owner it shows approx. 195000)”
Electrical system
24 reports3 fires
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 67,822, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 87,840.”
Service brakes
20 reports2 crashes2 fires
“UNKNOWN. I THINK THE ABS MODULE LIGHT APPEARED INSTANTLY ON THE DASHBOARD. IT'S THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES THAT AREN'T WORKING. I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED MY HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP WHEN I SAW A BRAKE LIGHT COME UP ON MY DASHBOARD WHEN I WENT TO BRAKE BUT I HAD NONE AND THE BRAKES WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND I ALMOST WENT OVER A CLIFF AND DIED OR BADLY HURT OTHERS OR MYSELF IN A CAR ACCIDENT. I'M WILLING TO TRY AND GET IT FIXED AT OTHER INDEPENDENT SERVICE CENTERS IN PLYMOUTH MASSACHUSETTS. THE EVENT HAD HAPPENED A WEEK BEFORE BUT I DIDN'T REPORT THIS INCIDENT TO THE POLICE, INSURANCE REPRESENTATIVES/OTHERS OR ANY OTHER MANUFACTURER BECAUSE THERE WASN'T OFFICIALLY ANY AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENTS. FINALLY, MY HYUNDAI ACCENT 2012 WAS DONATED TO ME BY "GOOD NEWS GARAGE" OVER 2.5-3 YRS AGO THROUGH A WORK-TO-PROGRAM/DONATION UNDER THE M.R.C. OR MASSACHUSETTS REHABILITATION CENTER IN PLYMOUTH MASSACHUSETTS WHICH IS PERMANENTLY CLOSED AND IS NOW CALLED MASS OPTIONS AND THAT'S THE ONLY THING I KNOW ABOUT THIS SITUATION WITH NO BRAKES. PLEASE HELP ME. I NEED TO KNOW MY NEXT STEPS. THANK YOU! OWNER AND DRIVER [XXX]”
Vehicle speed control
18 reports1 crash1 fire
“Hyundai's current handling of recall 251 is inadequate, posing significant danger to drivers and passengers. Hyundai's remedy for Recall 251 replaces ABS fuse with a lower amperage fuse. While this may prevent fires caused by brake fluid leaks, it disables the ABS, introducing severe safety hazards: •Without ABS, the risk of wheel lockup during heavy braking increases, leading to skidding and loss of control. •ABS reduces stopping distances, especially on slippery surfaces. Disabling it may result in longer stopping distances, raising collision risks. •Drivers accustomed to ABS may not be prepared for how the vehicle behaves without it, potentially leading to improper braking. Federal regulations mandate that all U.S. cars and minivans manufactured in 2012 or later must have four-wheel ABS. By disabling the ABS, Hyundai circumvents this requirement, compromising safety. Despite attempts to communicate these safety issues, Hyundai has shown inadequate response. This suggests a disregard for customer safety and an effort to avoid liability and the cost of providing loaner vehicles or temporary replacements. Hyundai has not offered alternative transportation to…”
Air bags
17 reports11 crashes
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 HYUNDAI ACCENT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, WHEN A DEER RAN INTO HER LANE AND SHE RAN INTO IT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED SHE SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES ON HER HIP THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT STATED HER SISTER WAS SITTING AT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED THE FOLLOWING DAY BECAUSE SHE HAD A HEADACHE DUE TO WHIPLASH. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED SHE HAD A PASSENGER SEATED AT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE THAT ALSO REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER DEEMED THE VEHICLE WAS LOSS. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.”
Service brakes, hydraulic
14 reports1 fire1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the clutch pedal traveled to the floorboard and the low oil warning light illuminated. Due to the failure, the brakes failed to function properly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed and determined that the slave cylinder had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was concerned that the failure was related to an engine failure recall, and that the dealer and manufacturer had failed to provide the proper repair during the repair, which caused the current clutch and braking system failures. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 92,000.”
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.