2016 Hyundai AccentRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 103 owner complaints for the 2016 Hyundai Accent. Most complaints involve engine (33) and air bags (30). The EPA rates it 30–31 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.
Safety recalls
Owner complaints by component
- Engine33
- Air bags30
- Electrical system27
- Steering11
- Vehicle speed control7
- Service brakes7
- Structure6
- Seats5
- Fuel/propulsion system4
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Accent model year we’ve synced.
View as table
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 102 |
| 1997 | 59 |
| 1998 | 48 |
| 1999 | 66 |
| 2006 | 43 |
| 2007 | 88 |
| 2008 | 101 |
| 2009 | 101 |
| 2010 | 87 |
| 2011 | 38 |
| 2012 | 153 |
| 2013 | 142 |
| 2014 | 80 |
| 2015 | 70 |
| 2016 | 103 |
| 2017 | 68 |
| 2018 | 19 |
| 2019 | 31 |
| 2020 | 12 |
| 2021 | 16 |
| 2022 | 17 |
- Crashes reported
- 7
- Fires reported
- 4
- Injuries reported
- 8
- Deaths reported
- 0
What owners report most
Engine
“Engine failure on a vehicle under 100,000 miles creates a risk of sudden loss of power while driving. A failing catalytic converter & coil packs can cause overheating and potential fire risk. These components were either pre-existing manufacturer defects or were damaged during the engine replacement process at Auto Nation Columbus (Columbus, GA), neither of which was disclosed to me as the owner.”
Air bags
“I brought my vehicle to Victorville Hyundai to address the official manufacturer safety warranty extension, Campaign Z01, which covers a defective passenger side Occupant Classification System (OCS) airbag sensor. My vehicle currently has 129,000 miles. The dealership and the service manager refused to perform the necessary safety diagnostic or inspection unless I signed a pre-authorization contract agreeing to pay a out-of-pocket fee of $219. The manager explicitly stated that this fee would be charged if they found that the sensor was contaminated with "outside water or dust." While I confirmed that the vehicle has never sustained any liquid spills or water intrusion, the vehicle is driven in the High Desert area and naturally contains standard environmental dust due to its age and mileage. By inserting the word "dust" into a mandatory pre-authorization agreement, the dealership is creating an intentional, deceptive financial loophole to deny a corporate safety warranty and avoid repairing a critical restraint system component. Because I refused to sign this predatory waiver, the dealership refused to service my vehicle's airbag defect, leaving a critical safety issue unresolved”
Electrical system
“ABS module electrical fault and fire. On the evening before the fire, the vehicle displayed ABS and ESC warning lights with diagnostic fault code C2402 (motor electrical fault). A continuous buzzing/vibrating noise came from under the hood near the engine compartment and persisted for several minutes even after the engine was shut off and key removed. Disconnecting the negative battery terminal immediately stopped the noise. The next morning, approximately 12 hours later, the vehicle caught fire in the engine bay near the ABS module. The fire was extinguished manually. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The ABS module and surrounding wiring show fire damage and are available for inspection. This defect poses a serious fire risk.”
Engines, transmissions & drive
- 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.
EPA fuel economy by version
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accent Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 27 | 37 | 31 | $2,000 | 285 |
| Accent Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 36 | 30 | $2,100 | 296 |
- 31mpg comb.
- 30mpg comb.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
- Frontal crash
- 4 of 5
- Side crash
- 4 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 4 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 12.4%
- Frontal crash
- 4 of 5
- Side crash
- 4 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 4 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 12.4%
Maintenance basics
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat 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
2016 Accent questions
How many recalls does the 2016 Hyundai Accent have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 10, 2026.
What are the most common 2016 Hyundai Accent problems?
Owners filed 103 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (33), air bags (30), electrical system (27). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2016 Hyundai Accent get?
The EPA rates the 2016 Hyundai Accent at 30–31 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).
How safe is the 2016 Hyundai Accent?
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2016 Hyundai Accent 4 out of 5 stars overall.