Research · Compact Cars · 2 NHTSA variants

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.

Combined MPG
30–31mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
103
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$2,000est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2016 Hyundai Accent as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

103 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2016 – Oct 2026
  1. Engine33
  2. Air bags30
  3. Electrical system27
  4. Steering11
  5. Vehicle speed control7
  6. Service brakes7
  7. Structure6
  8. Seats5
  9. Fuel/propulsion system4

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
4
Injuries reported
8
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

Engine

33 reports1 crash2 fires
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 30, 2026Steering, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11768028

Air bags

30 reports5 crashes
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 6, 2026Air bags, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11769398

Electrical system

27 reports4 fires
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 28, 2026Electrical system, Unknown or otherFire reportedODI 11774143
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$2,100296
  • 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 10065Vehicle 10066
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

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.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026