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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.

About this comparison →

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

Fuel/propulsion System complaints

10 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 10, 2024
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

I am very unsatisfied with the fact that I have to get my oil changed 1 every month, due to burning oil as well as hard ride. My car will not pass inspection after 2024, due to emissions, I paid $600 to get a passed sticker and Sick of dumping money into this vehicle. there have been so many recalls on this car. What is Hyundai …

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I am very unsatisfied with the fact that I have to get my oil changed 1 every month, due to burning oil as well as hard ride. My car will not pass inspection after 2024, due to emissions, I paid $600 to get a passed sticker and Sick of dumping money into this vehicle. there have been so many recalls on this car. What is Hyundai willing to do ? I’ve purchased this vehicle in 2013 from Brad Benson Hyundai on Route 1. Please get my car running normal again. I have most of my receipts for all repairs and maintenance. I have 150,000 miles on the vehicle. please help Valvoline informed me of Engine recall for my vehicle

NHTSA ODI #11593561

Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 2024
Fuel/propulsion SystemSuspension

The Scanning System will track this Mold. It can degrade and split. The gas tank is moldy and looks damp. It Can Cause Fire The Fuel Filler Tube Clamp This Mold Can Cause Fire

NHTSA ODI #11580801

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2024
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemService Brakes

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 [XXX] and today of this letter it's [XXX] still No repair I am very upset because my wife is in stage 4 cancer and has…

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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 [XXX] and today of this letter it's [XXX] 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. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11569187

Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 2022
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemService Brakes

Car turns off while driving continuesly misfires even after replacing coils and spark plugs check engine light on and flashes car charger port keeps blowing fuses

NHTSA ODI #11472083

Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2022
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion SystemFire

Driving down the highway car caught fire

NHTSA ODI #11470314

132,000 miles · Feb 10, 2020
Air BagsFuel/propulsion System

THE RED AIR BAG LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON, AND THE PASSENGER SENSOR IS ALWAYS OFF EVEN WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER. I AM CONCERNED THAT IF I WERE TO BE IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY. THIS STARTED AT ABOUT 115,000 MILES. THE CAR ALSO RECENTLY STARTED TO EAT UP MY GAS FOR NO VALID REASON. I DROVE 1.5 MILES, YET USED U…

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THE RED AIR BAG LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON, AND THE PASSENGER SENSOR IS ALWAYS OFF EVEN WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER. I AM CONCERNED THAT IF I WERE TO BE IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY. THIS STARTED AT ABOUT 115,000 MILES. THE CAR ALSO RECENTLY STARTED TO EAT UP MY GAS FOR NO VALID REASON. I DROVE 1.5 MILES, YET USED UP 10 MILES OF GAS, ENTIRELY ABIDING BY TRAFFIC LAWS AND SIGNS.

NHTSA ODI #11308105

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

55,000 miles · Apr 19, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

CAR IS ACCELERATING BY ITSELF, AND CONTINUES TO INCREASE SPEED AFTER THE GAS PEDAL IS NO LONGER PRESSED. THIS OCCURS WHILE IN MOTION ON CITY STREETS, ON HIGHWAYS, AND WHEN TURNING. AND WHEN STATIONARY OR IN NEUTRAL THE RPMS WILL JUMP BY 1500 TO 2000 RPMS. IS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND THE RPMS JUMP UP 1500+ WHEN SHIFTING GEARS…

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CAR IS ACCELERATING BY ITSELF, AND CONTINUES TO INCREASE SPEED AFTER THE GAS PEDAL IS NO LONGER PRESSED. THIS OCCURS WHILE IN MOTION ON CITY STREETS, ON HIGHWAYS, AND WHEN TURNING. AND WHEN STATIONARY OR IN NEUTRAL THE RPMS WILL JUMP BY 1500 TO 2000 RPMS. IS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND THE RPMS JUMP UP 1500+ WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. STARTED HAPPENING AROUND 55,000 MILES DEALER RESET THE ECM WHICH RESOLVED THE ISSUE TEMPORARILY BUT CAME BACK WITHIN 2 WEEKS, CAR NOW HAS 61,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN GETTING WORSE.

NHTSA ODI #11088958

71,000 miles · Oct 22, 2017
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE AND TAPPING ON THE ACCELERATOR, THE CAR WILL ACCELERATE ON IT'S OWN AND REV UP TO 1,500-2000 RPM WITHOUT PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR. EVEN WHEN BRAKING. RETURNING THE CAR TO NEUTRAL CAUSES THE ENGINE TO REV UP TO OR BEYOND 2,000 RPM UNTIL THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TURNED OFF. THIS INCIDENT FIRST OCCURRED IN …

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AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE AND TAPPING ON THE ACCELERATOR, THE CAR WILL ACCELERATE ON IT'S OWN AND REV UP TO 1,500-2000 RPM WITHOUT PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR. EVEN WHEN BRAKING. RETURNING THE CAR TO NEUTRAL CAUSES THE ENGINE TO REV UP TO OR BEYOND 2,000 RPM UNTIL THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TURNED OFF. THIS INCIDENT FIRST OCCURRED IN APRIL 2016. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE SENSORS BY THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. THE ISSUE RESURFACED AGAIN IN JANUARY 2017. THIS TIME THEY TOLD ME IT WAS DUE TO A CARBON BUILDUP IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. NOW IT'S DOING IT AGAIN. I HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER REPORTS OF THIS HAPPENING TO HYNDAI'S ON THE INTERNET. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11035520

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.