Research · Compact Cars

2020 Hyundai AccentRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 12 owner complaints for the 2020 Hyundai Accent. Most complaints involve engine (4) and air bags (2). The EPA rates it 33–36 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
33–36mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest May 2022
Owner complaints
12
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$1,750est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Seat belts: front

Free remedy

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Accent, 2021-2022 Elantra, and 2021-2022 Elantra HEV vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioners may explode upon deployment.

Seat beltsReported May 19, 2022NHTSA 22V354000

Seat belts: front

Remedy pending

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Elantra and 2020 Accent vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver and passenger-side seat belt pretensioners may explode upon deployment.

Seat beltsReported Apr 1, 2022NHTSA 22V218000

Seat belts: front

Free remedy

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Accent vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioner(s) may explode upon deployment.

Seat beltsReported Feb 9, 2022NHTSA 22V069000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

12 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2020 – Aug 2025
  1. Engine4
  2. Air bags2
  3. Structure2
  4. Fuel/propulsion system2
  5. Vehicle speed control2
  6. Seats1
  7. Electrical system1
  8. Steering1
  9. Seat belts1

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
2
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
2
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

4 reports1 fire
“The contact owned a 2020 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, smoke was emitting from the vehicle. The contact was inside her residence and noticed the smoke from her window. Unknown if the air bags deployed. The contact stated that the fire spread to another parked vehicle and caused structural damage to the building. The fire department and police department were called. Unknown if a police report was filed. The fire department filed a report. The vehicle was parked at the residence. The contact notified her insurance company and declared the vehicle a total loss. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 30, 2025EngineFire reportedODI 11664017

Air bags

2 reports1 crash
“Airbag light turned on my dashboard and when I took it to the dealership -regional Hyundai in broken arrow in Oklahoma I was told by the rep that helped me that there is a defect in the passenger airbag and that it would cost me about 1700.00 usd to fix it. If I chose not to fix it then if I get into a car wreck the passenger airbag would deploy, this is a risk hazard for lives and there is no reason why a fairly new car, 2020 should have issues with the airbags. This is a potential risk that passengers should not experience in the case of an unfortunate wreck”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 17, 2025Air bags, SeatsODI 11681215

Structure

2 reports
“The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the exterior passenger's front and rear door handles detached while attempting to open the doors. The contact was able to reattach the door handles for the front and rear passenger doors. The contact stated that the interior door handle also detached. The contact had to roll down the window and use the exterior door handles to exit the vehicle. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 26,500. The VIN was not available.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 12, 2025StructureODI 11680188
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
Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Manual 6-spd
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
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
334136$1,750248
Accent
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
293933$1,900273
  • Accent
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.6 L
    33 city · 41 hwy · $1,750/yr
    36
    mpg comb.
  • Accent
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L
    29 city · 39 hwy · $1,900/yr
    33
    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

1 tested variant
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Hyundai Accent 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
11.3%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 14119
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

2020 Accent questions

How many recalls does the 2020 Hyundai Accent have?

4 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 2020 Hyundai Accent problems?

Owners filed 12 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (4), air bags (2), structure (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2020 Hyundai Accent get?

The EPA rates the 2020 Hyundai Accent at 33–36 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2020 Hyundai Accent?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2020 Hyundai Accent 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026