Research · Compact Cars

2022 Hyundai AccentRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 17 owner complaints for the 2022 Hyundai Accent. Most complaints involve electrical system (6) and seat belts (4). The EPA rates it 36 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
36mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest May 2022
Owner complaints
17
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$1,750est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 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

Steering: column

Free remedy

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.

SteeringReported May 6, 2022NHTSA 22V311000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

17 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2022 – Sep 2026
  1. Electrical system6
  2. Seat belts4
  3. Engine3
  4. Steering3
  5. Service brakes2
  6. Suspension2
  7. Air bags2
  8. Power train1
  9. Exterior lighting1

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 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

6 reports1 crash1 fire
“I was driving my 2022 Hyundai Accent (VIN [XXX] ) when the brakes suddenly failed without warning. When I pressed the brake pedal, the vehicle did not slow down properly resultina in a crash Immediately after the crash, the vehicle caught fire According to the fire department report, the fire originated in the engine compartment and was classified as unintentional/ accidental There were no prior warning lights or known brake issues before this incident. The failure was sudden and unexpected. This incident raises serious safetv concerns regarding a potential defect involving the braking system and/or electrical components. The vehicle is currently preserved and available for inspection”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 7, 2026Electrical system, Service brakes, EngineCrash reportedFire reportedODI 11729689

Seat belts

4 reports1 crash
“We have two 2022 Hyundai Accent SEL cars and both have the same problem. When there is no passenger aboard, the "Passenger Air Bag" Off sign lights up as it should and when there is a passenger aboard, the "Off" light goes off as it should. What doesn't happen is when there is a passenger aboard and the seat belt was not fastened and the car is being driven, there is no indication (either by beeper or dash light) that the belt is not fastened! This I feel is unacceptable and is clearly a safety defect and Hyundai should be able to possibly reprogram their system so a warning comes on to advise that the passenger seat belt is not in place. The second car with the same problem is VIN [XXX] .”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 4, 2025Seat beltsODI 11646278

Engine

3 reports1 crash1 fire
“Transmission began exhibiting hesitation, RPM surge/drop, and a stuck gear at approximately 26,000 miles. Diagnostic trouble code P0741 was confirmed by the dealer, and the transmission assembly was replaced under warranty. This matches a documented defect pattern currently under federal class action litigation involving this manufacturer's IVT/CVT transmissions in this and related models (2020+ model years), specifically sudden loss of power and acceleration failure. Prior to the repair, the issue was reported verbally to a service advisor but not logged on the invoice. Separately, at the same service location, a coolant reservoir was found completely empty within hours of a repair visit where the dealer stated it could not reproduce a related stuttering complaint during a road test, and no diagnostic codes were stored. A rear brake light has also remained inoperative across two dealer visits without being flagged, and was later found by a third party to require dealer-specific tooling to access — confirming it was not a simple user fix. The vehicle remains drivable but the transmission defect poses an ongoing safety risk given its documented tendency toward…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 30, 2026Power train, Exterior lighting, EngineODI 11768169
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
1.6L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (AV-S1)
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 9, 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 (AV-S1), 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
334136$1,750248
  • Accent
    Auto (AV-S1), 4 cyl, 1.6 L
    33 city · 41 hwy · $1,750/yr
    36
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 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 9, 2026Vehicle 16593
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

2022 Accent questions

How many recalls does the 2022 Hyundai Accent have?

2 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.

What are the most common 2022 Hyundai Accent problems?

Owners filed 17 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (6), seat belts (4), engine (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2022 Hyundai Accent get?

The EPA rates the 2022 Hyundai Accent at 36 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

How safe is the 2022 Hyundai Accent?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2022 Hyundai Accent 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026