Engine complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 4 | 24% | 0 miles |
| 2021 | 4 | 25% | — |
| 2020 | 4 | 33% | — |
| 2019 | 21 | 68% | 66,000 miles |
| 2018 | 8 | 42% | 0 miles |
| 2017 | 24 | 35% | 118,000 miles |
| 2016 | 33 | 32% | 93,000 miles |
| 2015 | 20 | 29% | 100,000 miles |
| 2014 | 18 | 23% | 89,000 miles |
| 2013 | 34 | 24% | 73,000 miles |
| 2012 | 39 | 25% | 89,000 miles |
| 2011 | 10 | 26% | 40,000 miles |
| 2010 | 11 | 13% | 64,000 miles |
| 2009 | 8 | 8% | 70,000 miles |
| 2008 | 9 | 9% | 30,000 miles |
| 2007 | 7 | 8% | 72,000 miles |
| 2006 | 1 | 2% | 2,000 miles |
| 2005 | 3 | 6% | 33,000 miles |
| 2004 | 2 | 6% | 71,000 miles |
| 2003 | 3 | 8% | 83,000 miles |
| 2002 | 13 | 10% | 30,000 miles |
| 2001 | 11 | 10% | 46,000 miles |
| 2000 | 12 | 13% | 73,000 miles |
| 1999 | 6 | 10% | 33,000 miles |
| 1998 | 15 | 32% | 70,000 miles |
| 1997 | 15 | 27% | — |
| 1996 | 4 | 4% | 17,000 miles |
| 1995 | 4 | 3% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I was driving my 2022 Hyundai Accent (VIN [redacted] ) 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
The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the oil pressure, battery, and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that after turning off and restarting the vehicle, the engine revved but the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that after multiple attempts, he was able to restart the vehicle and drive as needed. The vehicle was then taken to a local dealer however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 300.
The contact leased a 2021 Hyundai Accent through Enterprise Rent-A-Car. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power for about 5 seconds while accelerating and decelerating through traffic. The contact stated that he was able to duplicate the failure five times and related the failure to the engine; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact returned the vehicle to Enterprise Rent-A-Car and `informed them about the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
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.
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.
I purchased my 2020 Hyundai Accent from Shirlie Slack Mitsubishi, in Fredericksburg, Virginia on [redacted]. It wasn't long after purchasing that I began experiencing difficulties with it. The car will shut off when it comes to a complete stop or even if I s for a brief moment to switch gears, for example when parallel parking. Some days it would happen less often, maybe once or twice per trip then other days it would happen every time I came to a complete stop, shutting off in bumper to bumper traffic on the highway even. Because of my warranty through my dealership and Hyundai, I cannot take it anywhere else to have work done on it. Therefore I have been to this Hyundai for this issue three separate times now. The West Broad Hyundai in Richmond, Virginia. …
was driving on the highway to a friends house, while i was driving a another vehicle was telling me to pull over and that there was smoke and fire underneath the car, i pulled over and crossed the bridge where there was light, once i got across i got out of the car and saw fire coming from the hood, i tried to put it out and that didn't work, so the good Samaritan who told me to pull over told me to get my son and get in her car because there was no way to save the car. As soon as we drove away the car exploded not even two mins later. insurance has inspected and claimed it a total loss, they didn't state how the fire started besides it is a total loss, now the car is totaled, insurance is paying part of it and i am working on the gap coverage to get them all the information we need and since the loan is more than what the care is worth i have no money to finance another vehicle or able …
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated while driving 32-33 MPH, the rear of the vehicle was shaking, and the vehicle stalled. There was smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. The engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the system needed to be reset. There was an unknown fault with the air bag. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact stated that while her husband was driving 55 MPH, the vehicle began to shake, and the driver was able to pull over. There was an abnormal odor of smoke detected. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the same local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the coil needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred nine days later. While exiting the garage, the vehicle stalled. …
Frequently asked questions
Which Hyundai Accent years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2012 (39), 2013 (34), 2016 (33), 2017 (24) and 2019 (21) model years. Engine complaints make up 25% of all complaints for the 2012.
Is there a recall for Hyundai Accent engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for any Hyundai Accent model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Hyundai Accent engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 69,000 miles; 36% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine › gasoline (31 mentions), followed by the engine (21).
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.