Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Hyundai Accent owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 67,822, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 87,840.
Hyundai's current handling of recall 251 is inadequate, posing significant danger to drivers and passengers. Hyundai's remedy for Recall 251 replaces ABS fuse with a lower amperage fuse. While this may prevent fires caused by brake fluid leaks, it disables the ABS, introducing severe safety hazards: Without ABS, the risk of wheel lockup during heavy braking increases, leading to skidding and loss of control. ABS reduces stopping distances, especially on slippery surfaces. Disabling it may result in longer stopping distances, raising collision risks. Drivers accustomed to ABS may not be prepared for how the vehicle behaves without it, potentially leading to improper braking. Federal regulations mandate that all U.S. cars and minivans manufactured in 2012 or later must have four-wheel ABS. By disabling the ABS, Hyundai circumvents this requirement, compromising safety. …
I received this notice of a safety recall for my 2012 Hyundai accent in late October. Hyundai stated that a remedy would be available in late November. Now it's late December, and I've heard nothing from Hyundai. This safety recall sounds urgent and incredibly dangerous; I don't feel safe driving or parking my vehicle anywhere because according to them, it can catch fire at any moment. Despite this, Hyundai hasn't provided any more solutions other than parking my car outside, which doesn't solve the issue with driving it and frankly isn't any more safe. Hyundai isn't responding quickly enough at all for how urgent this issue is, even though several vehicle fires and thermal incidents have already occurred due to this very issue. It's ridiculous that they state the vehicle is safe to drive, yet they admit that the vehicle can catch fire while it's being driven. …
Our 2012 Hyundai accent hatchback is not drivable at this time is is over at the service department through Ron Marhofer Hyundai of Green in Akron Ohio, it has not been repaired yet.. our vehicle was dropped off [redacted] and today of this letter it's [redacted] still No repair I am very upset because my wife is in stage 4 cancer and has to have treatments and now I am unable at this time to let her meet her medical needs.. I am so stressed about this mess the service manager is trying to provide us a loaner but we are waiting what I would like to happen if it cannot be repaired I would like a check for the difference so I can buy another vehicle like a buyback.
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear driver's side tire suddenly became flat. There was an abnormal sound coming from the infotainment system and the vehicle was shuddering. The contact stated that the front driver's side and the rear passenger's side windows were stuck and had to be manually raised. The check engine, air bag, and low tire pressure warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
This car has a recall which put my child and others at risk. It also has a recall for excessive corrosion, which has made the suspension unrepairable. It only has 124K miles. I would like Hyundai to take the car from me and give me the remaining value so I can reimburse my child, who had to buy a car that was safe to drive.
On the [redacted], my 2012 Hyundai Accent caught fire in the engine compartment and engulfed in flames. Right before the fire started, smoke came out of the air vents into the car, causing me to become stifled and choke for several minutes. Smoke was also coming out of the hood. At that point, I lifted the hood and there were flames coming out of the engine. During the past six months prior to the fire, I developed a chronic cough and now believe it might have been attributed to fumes that I have been inhaling through the air vents from my car's engine. My [redacted] mother and [redacted] son have suffered headaches, coughing, sore throat and congestion when riding in my car with the air conditioner turned on. The remains of the vehicle were inspected by the Rockdale County Fire Department after they extinguished the fire. …
On Saturday March 23, 2019 I was driving my 2012 Hyundai Accent on the highway. I was traveling in the left hand lane, on cruise control, going about 73 MPH. A semi-truck in the right hand Land a few hundred yards in front of me moved over into my lane due to a construction zone ahead, so I attempted to turn off my cruise control to slow down for the merging semi-truck. I applied the brakes but my car did not turn off cruise-control or slow down, but instead accelerated. I attempted again to hit the brakes to turn off cruise control, but again the car did not slow down. I tried both the cancel and the on/off buttons on the steering wheel, but there was no way to disengage cruise control. I was quickly approaching the semi-truck and was unable to slow down my moving vehicle. …
Around 50000 miles the car would over rev about 1000-2000 RPM when the clutch was released and foot off of the gas. It has progressively gotten worse. Now it will on its own while standing at idle run up to 5000-6000 RPM without warning and the only way to stop it is to turn the car off. When in gear, the car will accelerate without warning. If you depress the clutch, again it will run up to 5000-6000 RPM. The problem becomes exacerbated in warmer weather and lessened in cold weather. During the 12/24 heat wave here in pa, the car was undriveable and dangerous as I could not depend on it not "taking off". The dealer updated the software on 12/22 which did not resolve the issue, and no codes were found in the computer! Before 50,000 miles everything was fine.
Got car in 2011 in 2015 it stopped working after making loud noises that began with a chirp, found out it was alternator and battery. Had to borrow to fix it it was 700.00 +. 14 months later it did it again, the shop guy was so angry he contacted his parts guy and got another alternator, I had the car towed to joseph's garage and they installed the second alernator! Now its doing it again!!!! I cannot keep doing this. Going to ftc, bbb, and attorney general. Also federal consumer protection.
Electrical complaints in other Accent years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2012 Hyundai Accent?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the electrical system of the 2012 Hyundai Accent, 16% of the model year's 153 complaints. The component named most often is wiring (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Hyundai Accent electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2012 Hyundai Accent, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2012 Hyundai Accent electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 3 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.