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2012 Hyundai Accent

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Accent years

Owner complaints for the 2012 Hyundai Accent are substantially higher than the model-year median of 64.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

90 reports with mileage · 63 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.

  • Engine. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

13 crash reports8 fire reports10 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

24 reports
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Mileage unknown · Oct 20, 2020
Electrical System

JUL 02,2020 MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER193 NHTSA RECALL NUMBER20V393000 RECALL STATUSRECALL INCOMPLETE SUMMARY HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA (HYUNDAI) IS RECALLING CERTAIN 2011-2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA AND SONATA HYBRID, 2012 ACCENT AND VELOSTER VEHICLES. THE 12V ACCESSORY SOCKET OUTLET MAY HAVE BEEN OVER-TIGHTENED DURING INSTALLATIO…

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JUL 02,2020 MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER193 NHTSA RECALL NUMBER20V393000 RECALL STATUSRECALL INCOMPLETE SUMMARY HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA (HYUNDAI) IS RECALLING CERTAIN 2011-2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA AND SONATA HYBRID, 2012 ACCENT AND VELOSTER VEHICLES. THE 12V ACCESSORY SOCKET OUTLET MAY HAVE BEEN OVER-TIGHTENED DURING INSTALLATION, POSSIBLY DISABLING THE THERMAL FUSE AND ALLOWING THE OUTLET TO OVERHEAT WITH PROLONGED USE, SUCH AS BY USING THE TIRE MOBILITY KIT AIR COMPRESSOR TO INFLATE A TIRE. YESTERDAY, 2020-10-19, SINCE I NEVER OWNED THE ORIGINAL AIR PUMP, THE DEALER (VISION HYUNDAI - HENRIETTA NEW YORK) REFUSED TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE. BUT BOTH HE AND YOU (NHTSA) SEEM TO BE MAKING A SERIOUSLY EGREGIOUS ERROR IN LOGIC. ANY THIRD PARTY DEVICE WHICH PLUGS INTO THE 12V ACCESSORY PORT COULD CAUSE THE SAME RISK OF FIRE BECAUSE IT IS THE *PORT* WHICH IS DEFECTIVE, NOT THE AIR PUMP. THAT'S WHAT THE RECALL NOTICE SAYS, I QUOTE FROM ABOVE: > THE 12V ACCESSORY SOCKET OUTLET MAY HAVE BEEN OVER-TIGHTENED DURING > INSTALLATION, POSSIBLY DISABLING THE THERMAL FUSE AND ALLOWING THE > OUTLET TO OVERHEAT WITH PROLONGED USE, HYUNDAI'S PROPOSED WORK-AROUND OF USING A DIRECT TO BATTERY HARNESS CONNECTION IS RIDICULOUS ON TWO COUNTS. 1. IT DOESN'T SOLVE THE ROOT-CAUSE PROBLEM. 2. IT REQUIRES CUSTOMERS TO MANUALLY CONNECT WIRES TO THE BATTERY, SOMETHING THAT WE KNOW CAN BE DANGEROUS. I QUOTE: PER YOUR OWN RESEARCH DATA: FROM OCTOBER 1993-SEPTEMBER 1994, THERE WERE 581 INJURIES FROM CHECKING THE BATTERY CABLES, AND 444 INJURIES FROM JUMP STARTING THE BATTERY. FOR A TOTAL OF 1025 INJURIES IN ONE YEAR ALONE! (DATA FROM TABLE 1) (RETRIEVED 2020-10-20 FROM HTTPS://CRASHSTATS.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/API/PUBLIC/VIEWPUBLICATION/97840 ) SURELY, YOU (NHTSA) WOULDN'T ENDORSE A SOLUTION WHICH HAS WORSE SAFETY HAZZARDS THAN THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM. WOULD YOU?

NHTSA ODI #11365292

60,000 miles · Aug 1, 2020
Electrical System

ALL POWER WINDOWS HAVE GONE OUT CANNOT ROLL UP ALL MOTORS OUT 280 EACH TO REPLACE ONLY 60K MILES

NHTSA ODI #11342658

105,000 miles · Feb 10, 2020
Electrical System

THE SWITCH FOR THE WINDOWS IN THE BACK SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. THERE WAS A LOUD POP! AND SUDDENLY THE WINDOWS COULDN'T BE RAISED BACK UP AND INSTEAD STAYED AT HALF MAST. IT HAPPENED TO ONE REAR WINDOW, AND THEN A COUPLE MONTHS LATER, HAPPENED TO THE OTHER. I HAVE TO MANUALLY PUSH THE WINDOWS UP WITH MY HANDS WHEN THE REAR WIND…

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THE SWITCH FOR THE WINDOWS IN THE BACK SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. THERE WAS A LOUD POP! AND SUDDENLY THE WINDOWS COULDN'T BE RAISED BACK UP AND INSTEAD STAYED AT HALF MAST. IT HAPPENED TO ONE REAR WINDOW, AND THEN A COUPLE MONTHS LATER, HAPPENED TO THE OTHER. I HAVE TO MANUALLY PUSH THE WINDOWS UP WITH MY HANDS WHEN THE REAR WINDOWS FALL.

NHTSA ODI #11308107

60,000 miles · Jan 28, 2020
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion System

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 AN…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11302447

89,000 miles · Apr 3, 2019
Electrical SystemService BrakesVehicle Speed Control

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 CONTRO…

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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. IN ORDER TO AVOID REAR-ENDING THE SEMI-TRUCK AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, I WAS FORCED TO VEER LEFT OFF THE HIGHWAY ONTO THE SOFT SHOULDER, AND WAS TRAVELING LOCKED ON CRUISE CONTROL AT 73 MPH HALFWAY ON THE GRASS MEDIAN AND HALFWAY ON THE RUMBLE STRIP OF THE SOFT SHOULDER. THE BRAKES AND STEERING WHEEL SWITCHES WERE STILL NOT WORKING, REGARDLESS OF HOW MUCH I APPLIED THE BRAKES OR WHAT COMBINATION I HIT THE SWITCHES. I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET MY CAR TO SLOW DOWN BY HITTING THE CLUTCH AND STALLING MY CAR. THIS WAS AN ABSOLUTELY HORRIFIC INCIDENT, AND I AM LUCKY TO HAVE BEEN UNINJURED AND TO HAVE AVOIDED WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #11193719

Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2017
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeat Belts

I START THE CAR AND THE AIR BAG SENSOR COMES ON AND STAYS ON, THEN THE PASSENGERS SEAT BELT COMES ON WHIEN I HAVE A PASSENGER SEATED THERE. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFTEY ISSUE AND HYUNDAII SHOULD FIX IT!!!! I CONTACTED HYUNDAI CUSTOMER SUPPORT, THEY STATED ITS MY PROBLEM AND THEY WOULD NOT HELP.

NHTSA ODI #11006115

79,000 miles · Dec 29, 2016
Electrical System

CAR WOULD NOT START. FOUND INFORMATION ONLINE REGARDING SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT A TRANSMISSION SHAFT SENSOR AND A QUICK FIX BY PLACING THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND BACK TO PARK. USED THIS FIX AND CAR SUBSEQUENTLY STARTED.

NHTSA ODI #10938423

34,000 miles · Nov 14, 2016
Electrical System

FOR SOME REASON NOW SINCE MOVING MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. ALSO THE MOTOR FOR THE WINDOWS IS ACTING LIKE IT DOESN'T WANT TO WORK I HAVE A HARD TIME CLOSING WINDOWS ONCE THEY ARE OUT DOWN. HELP.

NHTSA ODI #10926050

Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2016
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 HYUNDAI ACCENT. WHILE PARKED, RODENTS ENTERED THE VEHICLE AND CHEWED THROUGH THE ELECTRICAL WIRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE INSPECTED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 HYUNDAI ACCENT. WHILE PARKED, RODENTS ENTERED THE VEHICLE AND CHEWED THROUGH THE ELECTRICAL WIRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE INSPECTED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10837698

63,385 miles · Dec 27, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

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 W…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10816358

Official recalls

2

23V651000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Sep 22, 2023

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.

20V393000 · Equipment:electrical

Jul 2, 2020

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Hyundai Elantra and Sonata Hybrid, 2012 Accent and Veloster vehicles. The 12V accessory socket outlet may have been over-tightened during installation, possibly disabling the thermal fuse and allowing the outlet to overheat with prolonged use, such as by using the Tire Mobility Kit air compressor to inflate a tire.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An overheated accessory outlet increases the risk of fire.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the Tire Mobility Kit accessory outlet plug with a direct-to-battery connection wire harness kit, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 193.

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

1

AQ23002 · Hyundai And Kia Abs Module Fires

Opened Nov 17, 2023 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.