Acceleration complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 6% | — |
| 2020 | 2 | 17% | 103,000 miles |
| 2019 | 2 | 6% | — |
| 2017 | 3 | 4% | 44,000 miles |
| 2016 | 7 | 7% | 25,000 miles |
| 2015 | 1 | 1% | 54,000 miles |
| 2014 | 2 | 3% | 137,000 miles |
| 2013 | 8 | 6% | 2,000 miles |
| 2012 | 18 | 12% | 65,000 miles |
| 2011 | 5 | 13% | 33,000 miles |
| 2010 | 2 | 2% | 107,000 miles |
| 2009 | 4 | 4% | 77,000 miles |
| 2008 | 2 | 2% | 100,000 miles |
| 2007 | 3 | 3% | 155,000 miles |
| 2005 | 2 | 4% | 68,000 miles |
| 2004 | 1 | 3% | 68,000 miles |
| 2003 | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2002 | 12 | 9% | 19,000 miles |
| 2001 | 12 | 11% | 32,000 miles |
| 2000 | 8 | 9% | 55,000 miles |
| 1999 | 1 | 2% | 51,000 miles |
| 1998 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 1997 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 1996 | 1 | 1% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Wow entering the highway my car stalled out in the middle of traffic the never cut out just will not drive more than about 5 miles an hour even with putting my foot all the way down on the pedal turn it off for 30 minutes started back up started driving start out again almost causing me to wreck multiple times no warning lights or anything popped up I still have no lights on my dash and it is still not drivable had to get it towed by aaa I don't understand how did you record that is 3 years old is having this issue with no warning I'm very blessed that my children weren't in the car considering the diesels coming behind me why are the highways with this happening all of the sudden the car does not shut down it just loses power far as driving accelerating
Not exactly sure when but my 'passenger airbag off' light started to randomly appear and never turns off despite there being a passenger. Also my back seats would not latch closed, creating an unsafe riding time for a child in a booster seat. Which is a huge concern because I frequently provide rides for two young children my air conditioning unit becomes so hot that my feet are literally burning me. I end up taking my socks and shoes off due to how hot it gets. The motor for the engine is incredibly loud despite the small amount of miles. I have issues with accelerating from stop
The Emergency brake light, ABS light, and esc light all come on while driving & speedometer goes to 0. The speedometer also stops tracking mileage when these lights come on. This used to happen on & off, but now it's almost permanent. Hundreds are reporting the same exact issue online, but mechanics cannot figure out what the problem is. Me and countless others have taken the vehicle to mechanics multiple times with no resolve and thousands of dollars worth of diagnostics that are incorrect and don't resolve the issue. It is dangerous because we don't know how fast we're going, and we don't know if your abs, emergency brakes, & esc are all working properly. This issue is impacting Hyundai Accents years 2015, 2016, & 2017 based on the multiple threads & posts online. …
I Dont no why but my Engine will randomly stall out even in the middle of making a.left or a right-hand turn and it's scary when I a.m. at an intersection intersection and I doll out then I have to shut my car off completely turn it back on and pump the gas. Till it starts . few days later my warning lights came on the meters and lights shot up quick and. Then the car shut down I was so freaked out my husband took it to the dealer ship they stated it was. A tire valve sensor they claimed to have checked all the fluids which i no was not the oil was burnt when i got out and checked old oil they want me to pay before they can repair but tire valve is not the #1 because i had another shop change. Out the stem these random occurrences happen today and warning lights still on. I read these sensor re covered upto 100,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the vehicle had experienced unintended acceleration on several occasions. After parking the vehicle in the garage and switching to the park position, the vehicle had experienced unintended acceleration and crashed into the back wall of the garage. The cause of the failure was not determined. No injuries were reported. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The vehicle was examined by an independent mechanic but the no cause no problem was found. The failure mileage was 2,154.
The incident started August 15, 2025, I was driving my car and the traction light came on I stopped and turned it off. I proceeded to drive it after that and came home. Then I noticed my brake lights were constantly on so I took a piece of cardboard and folded it in a few folds and put it between the brake pedal and the brake switch it turned it off. I then proceeded the next day to drive my car it was doing fine until my caliper seized on my rotor and left me stuck on the side of the road, I then called a mobile mechanic he came out replaced the caliper on the left front driver side it still did not unseize my rotor for my caliper to move freely so he installed a new master cylinder it worked for 2 days then I was always driving it felt like the tire was falling off the car a lot of shaking and bouncing. So I parked it that unfortunately sees the caliper on the rotor again three times. …
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the contact felt the vehicle accelerating while depressing the brake pedal. The contact made it to the residence safely; however, after shifting into park, the engine was still revving. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic who determined that the accelerator pedal was stuck. The accelerator assembly was replaced. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that there was no recall associated with the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 90,000.
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. …
Related recalls (1)
Vehicle speed control
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with 1.5 liter or 1.6 liter engines that were originally sold in or currently registered in the states of alaska, colorado, idaho, illinois, indiana, iowa, kansas, maine, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, montana, north dakota, nebraska, new hampshire, new york, ohio,…
Remedy: Dealers will install a new, relocated pcv hose and will additionally install a heated throttle body on the 2000-2001 accents equipped with 1.5 liter engines that were produced through January 31, 2001.
NHTSA investigations
Fuel tank cracking
There is no summary currently available
Frequently asked questions
Which Hyundai Accent years have acceleration problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2012 (18), 2001 (12), 2002 (12), 2000 (8) and 2013 (8) model years. Acceleration complaints make up 12% of all complaints for the 2012.
Is there a recall for Hyundai Accent acceleration problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 01V-346 (vehicle speed control, Nov 6, 2001). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Hyundai Accent acceleration problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles; 46% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the accelerator pedal (9 mentions), followed by the cruise control (1).
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.