Research · Compact Cars · 2 NHTSA variants

2015 Hyundai AccentRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 70 owner complaints for the 2015 Hyundai Accent. Most complaints involve air bags (26) and engine (20). The EPA rates it 30–31 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
30–31mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Sep 2023
Owner complaints
70
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$2,000est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Service brakes

Park outsideFree remedy

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Sep 22, 2023NHTSA 23V651000

Air bags: frontal

Free remedy

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015 Accent vehicles manufactured September 15, 2014, to February 10, 2015. In very cold temperatures, the occupant detection system (ODS) may not be able to determine if a child restraint seat is in the front passenger seat.

Air bagsReported Apr 13, 2015NHTSA 15V218000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

70 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2015 – Sep 2026
  1. Air bags26
  2. Engine20
  3. Electrical system10
  4. Service brakes, hydraulic7
  5. Power train5
  6. Structure5
  7. Electronic stability control (esc)5
  8. Service brakes4
  9. Fuel/propulsion system2

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
7
Fires reported
11
Injuries reported
10
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

Air bags

26 reports7 crashes
“Once my 2015 Hyundai Accent reached 80K the airbag light came on. I took into the dealership for them to look into and found that the passenger side air bag sensor failed and needed replaced. Cost of new sensor was $1000.00. Did some research on the issue and found that air bag sensors are failing on the passenger side for many Hyundai Accent owners. I believe some reported to this very agency. I plan on having the sensor replaced, however wanted to report the issue and the amount of reports on forums and reports to the NHTSA in hopes that it will be recalled so that future Hyundai Accent owners can be aware of the issue and protect their passengers.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 21, 2023Air bagsODI 11556184

Engine

20 reports5 fires
“Was driving down the highway and my car caught fire. I was stopped by another driver saying that my car was on fire. I had no breaks to stop, I had to put it straight to park to stop the car. That way myself and my son could jump out of the car.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 30, 2026Service brakes, EngineFire reportedODI 11734923

Electrical system

10 reports1 crash3 fires
“The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that while the vehicle parked, the contact became aware that there was a fire in the front passenger side of the vehicle, underneath the radio and along the center console. The contact extinguished the fire. The contact stated that fire odor was like an electrical fire. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was then towed to the residence. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 17, 2026Electrical systemFire reportedODI 11765065
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
1.6L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 6-spd · Automatic (S6)
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
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
273731$2,000285
Accent
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
263630$2,100295
  • Accent
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L
    27 city · 37 hwy · $2,000/yr
    31
    mpg comb.
  • Accent
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L
    26 city · 36 hwy · $2,100/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
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
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Hyundai Accent 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
4 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
12.4%
Overall
4 / 5
Hyundai Accent 5 5 HB FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
4 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
12.4%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 9591Vehicle 9592
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

2015 Accent questions

How many recalls does the 2015 Hyundai Accent have?

2 safety recalls 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 2015 Hyundai Accent problems?

Owners filed 70 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (26), engine (20), electrical system (10). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2015 Hyundai Accent get?

The EPA rates the 2015 Hyundai Accent at 30–31 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2015 Hyundai Accent?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2015 Hyundai Accent 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026