NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 16 owner complaints for the 2021 Hyundai Accent. Most complaints involve seat belts (6) and wheels (5). The EPA rates it 33–36 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.
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.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Accent vehicles. A bolt in the steering column may not be secured properly, which can cause the steering column to detach from the steering rack and result in a loss of steering control.
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.
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.
| 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 | 141 |
| 2014 | 80 |
| 2015 | 70 |
| 2016 | 102 |
| 2017 | 68 |
| 2018 | 19 |
| 2019 | 31 |
| 2020 | 12 |
| 2021 | 16 |
| 2022 | 17 |
“The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Accent. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V354000 (Seat Belts) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”
“During a tire swap, another lug nut broke off while trying to remove it. This issue has occurred before, and it seems that the faulty lug nut problem is still present. The car has only been serviced at Hyundai dealerships, and the tires were last rotated during a service at an authorized Hyundai dealership before this incident. The affected lug nut this time was on the front passenger side.”
“The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at 40 MPH, the vehicle lost automotive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed; however, the contact was informed there was no fault found with the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accent Auto (AV-S1), 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 33 | 41 | 36 | $1,750 | 248 |
| Accent Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 29 | 39 | 33 | $1,900 | 273 |
| 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 |
4 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 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.
Owners filed 16 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are seat belts (6), wheels (5), engine (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2021 Hyundai Accent at 33–36 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2021 Hyundai Accent 4 out of 5 stars overall.