PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY AIR BAG SENSOR DEFECT. SRS INDICATOR LIGHT ON. DTC CODE B1 448 OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM MAT DEFECT. ENTIRE SEAT CUSHION WITH SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. WAS NO DAMAGE OR ABUSE TO SEAT, VERY LOW USE AND MILEAGE. MANY REPORTS ONLINE OF SIMILAR SITUATIONS.
2009 Hyundai Accent
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2009 Hyundai Accent do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 64.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Accent years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
87 reports with mileage · 14 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Air Bags. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Visibility/wiper. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
101 reportsCAR HAS 29000 MILES. LAST WEEK, THE DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR STARTED "NOT STAYING UP". IT FALLS IN TO THE DRIVERS LINE OF SIGHT WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING. IT IS A VISIBILITY/ SAFETY ISSUE. THANK YOU.. *TR
THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR POWER LOCK QUIT WORKING. THE DANGER IS THAT THE DOOR CAN'T BE MANUALLY UNLOCKED EITHER FROM THE INSIDE, OR WITH A KEY ON THE OUTSIDE. IF THE VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN A WRECK, AND THE CAR CATCHES FIRE, THERE IS NO ESCAPE FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER. IF THE CAR RUNS INTO WATER, THERE IS NO ESCAPE FOR THE FRON…
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THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR POWER LOCK QUIT WORKING. THE DANGER IS THAT THE DOOR CAN'T BE MANUALLY UNLOCKED EITHER FROM THE INSIDE, OR WITH A KEY ON THE OUTSIDE. IF THE VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN A WRECK, AND THE CAR CATCHES FIRE, THERE IS NO ESCAPE FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER. IF THE CAR RUNS INTO WATER, THERE IS NO ESCAPE FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER. IF THERE IS ANY LIFE THREATENING DANGER, THERE IS NO ABILITY FOR THE PASSENGER TO ESCAPE FROM THE CAR. LIKEWISE, NO ONE FROM THE OUTSIDE CAN GET THE PASSENGER OUT. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SERVICE DEALER, MCCARTHY OLATHE HYUNDAI, I WAS TOLD BY THEIR SERVICE REP THAT THE LOCK ACTUATOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING $319.00. THE SERVICE REP WENT ON TO SAY THAT HE HAS SEEN THIS PART FAIL MORE WITH THE HYUNDAI SANTA FE'S. IF WHAT HE SAYS IS TRUE, THAT IS FRIGHTFUL. THERE IS NO WAY TO KNOW IF AND WHEN THIS PART WILL FAIL, BUT IF IT DOES, IT MAY END UP BEING A LIFE THREATENING DISASTER. THERE IS NO WAY I SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING FOR A REPLACEMENT PART THAT CONSTITUTES THIS MUCH DANGER TO SAFETY. HOW DO I KNOW THE REPLACEMENT PART IS ALSO NOT DEFECTIVE? I STATED THAT IF THE LOCK ACTUATOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR ALSO QUIT WORKING, THE DRIVER WOULD EITHER NOT BE ABLE TO ESCAPE OR WOULD BE COMPLETELY LOCKED OUT OF THE CAR. IF LOCKED IN, YOU COULD DIE. IF LOCKED OUT, YOU WOULD NOT BE EVEN ABLE TO RELEASE THE FRONT HOOD, DUE TO THE RELEASE LEVER BEING INSIDE THE CAR. THE SERVICE REP INFORMED ME THAT THE SCENERIO OF THE DRIVER DOOR LOCK FAILING WOULD NOT LIKELY HAPPEN. IF THE PASSENGER'S DOOR LOCK FAILED, HOW DOES HE KNOW THAT THE DRIVER'S DOOR LOCK ALSO WILL NOT FAIL? I APPRECIATE YOUR PROMPT ASSISTANCE LOOKING INTO THIS AND GETTING BACK WITH ME. A COPY OF THIS EMAIL HAS ALSO BEEN FORWARDED TO CONSUMERAFFAIRS@HMAUSA.COM WHERE I HAVE ALREADY FILED A CASE NUMBER, 9157723.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI ACCENT. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS OF THE OTHER VEHICLE SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES THAT RE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI ACCENT. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS OF THE OTHER VEHICLE SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING COLUMN FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 161,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI ACCENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT SENSOR WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SEAT SEN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI ACCENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT SENSOR WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SEAT SENSOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE FAILED A FEW MONTHS AFTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATED FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. ...UPDATED 02/02/16 *BF *TR
I'VE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE. I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN OCT. 2014 AND IT HAD OVER 89,000 MILES ON IT. TWO MONTHS AFTER RECEIVING THIS VEHICLE, I TOOK IT TO MIDAS TO HAVE THE OIL CHANGED. THE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS SOME TYPE OF CORROSION COMING FROM THE OIL CHAMBER. HE FLUSHED IT OUT AND …
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I'VE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE. I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN OCT. 2014 AND IT HAD OVER 89,000 MILES ON IT. TWO MONTHS AFTER RECEIVING THIS VEHICLE, I TOOK IT TO MIDAS TO HAVE THE OIL CHANGED. THE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS SOME TYPE OF CORROSION COMING FROM THE OIL CHAMBER. HE FLUSHED IT OUT AND CHANGED THE OIL. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR TWO MORE MONTHS, I NOTICED SOME HESITATION WHILE EXCELLERATING. I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT THE CAR AND HE TOLD ME I NEEDED TO CHANGE MY SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES, WHICH I DID. APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS LATER, THE CAR STARTED HESITATING AGAIN. THIS TIME IT WOULD NOT GO ANY FASTER THAN FIVE MPH. I HAD TO HAVE THIS CAR TOWED HOME. THIS VEHICLE WAS FINANCED FOR $10,023 AND I'M ON A FIXED INCOME. I HAD ALREADY MADE CAR PAYMENTS TOTALLING OVER $3000. I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS CAR HAS INTERNAL ENGINE DAMAGE. DIAGNOSIS: 2 BAD CYLINDERS AND A MELTED CATALYTIC CONVERTER. PRICE TO REPAIR: $2058. FOR THE SECOND TIME, I HAD TO HAVE THIS CAR TOWED TO MY HOME, AND IT HAS BEEN SITTING THERE EVER SINCE. I'M CONTEMPLATING WHETHER I SHOULD INVEST ANY MORE MONEY IN THIS CAR BECAUSE I'M AFRAID THAT I'M GOING TO CONTINUE HAVING PROBLEMS. BESIDES I DON'T HAVE $2058 FOR ANOTHER ENGINE AND CONVERTER. I RECEIVED WRITTEN NOTIFICATION THIS NOVEMBER THAT THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE PER MY VIN NUMBER IS ON THE RECALL LIST. I HAVE NO WAY TO TAKE IT IN BECAUSE IT DOESN'T RUN. THIS HAS GOT TO BE THE WORSE INVESTMENT I'VE EVER MADE IN MY LIFE. I'VE NOTIFIED THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE AND THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU OF MY EXPERIENCE WITH THIS CAR. I BELIEVE THESE CARS SHOULD BE TAKEN OFF OF THE ROAD DUE TO THE MANY HAZARDS THEY POSE. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER KOREAN VEHICLE. FOR NOW ON, I WILL ONLY PURCHASE AMERICAN MADE CARS IF ONLYFOR SAFETY REASONS. CAN I GET A REFUND ON THIS PIECE OF JUNK?
BREAK LIGHT RECALL - LOCATION MOUNT VERNON, OHIO - DATE 12-12-2015 I WAS DRIVING TO A CHRISTMAS EVENT AND WAS PULLED OVER BY A STATE HIGHWAY PATROL OFFICER DUE TO MY BREAKLIGHTS BEING OUT. I PULLED OVER IN THE NEAREST PARKING LOT AND HAD MY BOYFRIEND LOOK AT IT. HE SAID THERE IS A LITTLE SWITCH BEHIND THE BREAK AREA THAT WAS …
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BREAK LIGHT RECALL - LOCATION MOUNT VERNON, OHIO - DATE 12-12-2015 I WAS DRIVING TO A CHRISTMAS EVENT AND WAS PULLED OVER BY A STATE HIGHWAY PATROL OFFICER DUE TO MY BREAKLIGHTS BEING OUT. I PULLED OVER IN THE NEAREST PARKING LOT AND HAD MY BOYFRIEND LOOK AT IT. HE SAID THERE IS A LITTLE SWITCH BEHIND THE BREAK AREA THAT WAS STUCK. HE FLICKED IT A FEW TIMES AND IT CAME LOOSE AND STARTED WORKING. I AM GLAD THE OFFICER LET ME KNOW BEFORE I GOT INTO I-71 TRAFFIC. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW TO TAKE CARE OF THIS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI ACCENT. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, THE DOOR HANDLE FRACTURED. THE FAILURE LATER OCCURRED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE DOOR HANDLES. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO SHUDDER AND LOSE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI ACCENT. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, THE DOOR HANDLE FRACTURED. THE FAILURE LATER OCCURRED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE DOOR HANDLES. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO SHUDDER AND LOSE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPARK PLUG WIRE HARNESS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE EVENTUALLY OCCURRED ON ALL FOUR SPARK PLUG WIRE HARNESSES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON IN CAR. IN ORDER TO PASS SAFETY INSPECTION THIS NEEDS TONE DEALT WITH AT DEALERSHIP. AFTER DIAGNOSTIC WAS RUN THEY TOLD ME THE PASSENGER SIDE DETECTION SENSOR WAS FAULTY. THE REPAIR IS $1200 AND FOR A CAR LESS THAN 10 YEARS OLD AND UNDER 100,000 MILES THERE IS NO REASON TO HAVE THIS ISSUE. I TRIED TO RE…
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THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON IN CAR. IN ORDER TO PASS SAFETY INSPECTION THIS NEEDS TONE DEALT WITH AT DEALERSHIP. AFTER DIAGNOSTIC WAS RUN THEY TOLD ME THE PASSENGER SIDE DETECTION SENSOR WAS FAULTY. THE REPAIR IS $1200 AND FOR A CAR LESS THAN 10 YEARS OLD AND UNDER 100,000 MILES THERE IS NO REASON TO HAVE THIS ISSUE. I TRIED TO RECEIVE RELIEF REIMBURSEMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP LEVEL AND AT HYUNDAI CUSTOMER SERVICE. BOTH WERE DENIED.
IN/ABOUT 11/13/2014 THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ACTIVATED AND STAYED IT. DEALERS OPTION WAS TO CHARGE FOR OBTAINING THE CODE AND POSSIBLY BILL AS MUCH AS $1,400 TO REPLACE THE SEAT. ANOTHER MECHANIC REPORTED THE CODE AS "B 1448 OCS" [OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM - MAT FAILURE]. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AT RESETTING THE SYSTEM AN…
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IN/ABOUT 11/13/2014 THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ACTIVATED AND STAYED IT. DEALERS OPTION WAS TO CHARGE FOR OBTAINING THE CODE AND POSSIBLY BILL AS MUCH AS $1,400 TO REPLACE THE SEAT. ANOTHER MECHANIC REPORTED THE CODE AS "B 1448 OCS" [OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM - MAT FAILURE]. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AT RESETTING THE SYSTEM AND CLEANING THE CONTACTS, REPLACED THE SEAT WITH A USED SEAT FOR $200 ON 10/22/2015 .....UPDATED 12/03/15 *BF UPDATED 05/21/18*JB
Official recalls
215V566000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
Sep 8, 2015
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Hyundai Accent vehicles manufactured March 1, 2009, to February 11, 2011. In the affected vehicles, the brake light switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning brake light switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning brake light switch may also prevent the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Failure to illuminate the brake lights during braking or the inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake switch, free of charge. The recall began on October 21, 2015. Owners may contact Hyundai's customer service at 1-855-671-3059 or by visiting www.HyundaiUSA.com/Campaign131. Hyundai's number for this recall is 131. This recall is an expansion of 13V-113.
13V113000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
Apr 1, 2013
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. In September 2013, Hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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