Problems · NHTSA complaints

2014 Hyundai Accent problems

Owners filed 80 complaints about the 2014 Hyundai Accent with NHTSA between May 2015 and Jul 2026. The most-cited component is engine (19).

Complaints
80
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
12
Reported by owners
Fires
9
Reported by owners
Injuries
14
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine19
  2. Service brakes12
  3. Service brakes, hydraulic12
  4. Air bags11
  5. Steering8
  6. Seat belts5
  7. Electrical system5
  8. Fuel/propulsion system3
  9. Suspension3
  10. Tires3
  11. Vehicle speed control2
  12. Structure2
  13. Wheels2
  14. Electronic stability control (esc)2

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
20153
20164
20173
20187
20193
20200
20219
20227
202315
202424
20253
20262

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

Engine

19 reports2 fires
“This vehicle has the Hyundai 1.6L GDI engine, which has been recalled in other Hyundai models, just not the 2014 Accent. Just after passing 100,000 miles, this vehicle's check engine light came on indicating something was wrong with the camshaft timing. We brought it to a mechanic and found out the camshaft sprockets on the exhaust are faulty and it requires a new timing chain as well. If these repairs were not done, the engine would seize up and fail. The repair is estimated to cost $2,800, but this issue is the same as on other 1.6L GDI engines that have been recalled and either replaced or rebuilt. We would like this vehicle added to Hyundai's recall of the 1.6L GDI engines and our money for this repair to be reimbursed.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 10, 2026EngineODI 11749524

Service brakes

12 reports3 fires
“The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds on several occasions, the steering wheel seized. No warning light was illuminated. The brakes locked up, causing a tire blowout. The contact stated that the tie rod was replaced. The contact stated that a neighbor assisted with freeing the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was informed that, due to the age of the vehicle, the struts and brake pads should be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 10, 2026Steering, Service brakesODI 11723312

Service brakes, hydraulic

12 reports2 fires1 related recall
“The contact owned a 2014 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that while driving, the drive stick shift failed to change gears from first gear. The drive stick shift became abnormally stuck when depressing the brake pedal and attempting to shift gears. The contact merged to the shoulder of the road with the assistance of the emergency brakes and noticed smoke. The contact was able to safely exit the vehicle when it caught on fire under the front passenger side. The police and fire departments arrived on the scene however the vehicle was consumed by the fire. The vehicle was towed to a salvage lot and deemed a total loss. No injuries were sustained. The VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) and the contact believed it was related to her failure. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 30, 2024Service brakes, hydraulicFire reportedODI 11617236

Air bags

11 reports9 crashes
“The contact owned a 2014 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was rear-ended by another vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. As a result, the contact's vehicle careened to the shoulder of the roadway and came to a complete stop after colliding with a barrier wall, completely compressing the rear of the vehicle. The air bags did deploy but failed to reach maximum inflation. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss by the contact's insurance provider. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The contact was transported to an area hospital by a relative and was treated for nondescript injuries to her neck and back. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 13, 2024Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11588568

Steering

8 reports2 crashes
“For reasons unknown I was at a stoplight. The car started shaking, and the check engine light started blinking, and then the light went off. Also, the steering wheel locks up at times and I’m unable to to move the steering wheel because it’s locked.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 7, 2025Steering, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11679167

Seat belts

5 reports1 crash
“Driving on city & highway, driver side selt belt will release itself multiple times. On a daily drive to work 12 miles at least 2-3 times! I can be at a stop and literally wiggle it loose and releases. I have researched it online through multiple platforms there's over a 100+ hyundai owners with the same problem. Please look into this issue! I have 3 children 1 is gonna start driving soon. (2014 hyundai accent) Thank you!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 6, 2024Seat beltsODI 11623903
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.