Problems · NHTSA complaints

2015 Hyundai Accent problems

Owners filed 70 complaints about the 2015 Hyundai Accent with NHTSA between May 2015 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is air bags (26).

Complaints
70
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
7
Reported by owners
Fires
11
Reported by owners
Injuries
10
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  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
  10. Seats2
  11. Steering2
  12. Service brakes, air1
  13. Vehicle speed control1
  14. Wheels1

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
20159
20162
20172
20186
20196
20208
20217
20227
20238
202411
20251
20263

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

Air bags

26 reports7 crashes1 related recall
“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

Service brakes, hydraulic

7 reports3 fires1 related recall
“The contact owned a 2015 Hyundai Accent. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke coming from beneath the hood. No warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over, and her husband noticed flames coming from the engine compartment. The contact and four passengers, including a minor child, were able to exit the vehicle safely. The contact dialed 911, and police and firefighters arrived on the scene. The firefighters extinguished the fire. A police report was filed. The contact was unaware if there was a fire department report filed. No injuries were sustained, and no medical attention was received. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard, where the insurance company deemed the vehicle totaled. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 10, 2024Service brakes, hydraulicFire reportedODI 11593428

Power train

5 reports
“My 2015 Hyundai Accent started having issues with oil consumption at about 80,000 miles or so. I was having to check and add oil to the vehicle regularly in addition to oil changes. The oil consumption issue got worse as the vehicle got higher in miles, having to check and add oil every 600-1000 miles approximately. I was not aware of the known issue with Hyundai motors and the oil consumption so I was not tracking milage or dates of adding oil unfortunately. At about 100,135 miles, the vehicle suddenly broke down on my way to work. There was no warning other than the oil consumption problem. The car RPMs got very high and the car started decelerating until it wouldn't go forward anymore and was stalled on the side of the road. I had the vehicle towed to a Hyundai dealership and at this time it waiting for the diagnosis, however, they are sure that the head gasket has to be removed (for $500) to get that diagnosis. When the car died, there were no warning lights on at all, however, previously, there had been lights for low oil occasionally, but not always, when the oil was low. Many times when I checked and the oil was low, there was no light that indicated that it was low.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 31, 2024Power train, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11605678

Structure

5 reports
“The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously serviced by the dealer for a recall repair for undercoating. The contact stated that recently the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for service and the independent mechanic noticed corrosion on the brake line and the ABS control. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the dealer was contacted and made aware of the failure, and that the recall repair for undercoating was not completed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 46,225.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 18, 2023StructureODI 11550596
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.