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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

Suspension complaints

7 reports
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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 · Dec 5, 2023
Electrical SystemSuspension

This car has a recall which put my child and others at risk. It also has a recall for excessive corrosion, which has made the suspension unrepairable. It only has 124K miles. I would like Hyundai to take the car from me and give me the remaining value so I can reimburse my child, who had to buy a car that was safe to drive.

NHTSA ODI #11558659

155,000 miles · Nov 26, 2020
Suspension

I HAVE HAD A CLUNKING NOISE ON THIS VEHICLE SINCE BUYING IT. IT WOULD MAKE THE NOISE ON THE SMALLEST BUMB, SLOWING DOWN, TURNING, AND ON THE HIGHWAY. THE PREVIOUS OWNER SAID SHE TRIED GETTING IT FIXED BUT NO ONE COULD PINPOINT WHERE THE NOUSE WAS COMING FROM. I ASKED AROUND I GOT THE SAME RESPONSE,ALSO TOLD, "IF IT'S NOT MESSING…

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I HAVE HAD A CLUNKING NOISE ON THIS VEHICLE SINCE BUYING IT. IT WOULD MAKE THE NOISE ON THE SMALLEST BUMB, SLOWING DOWN, TURNING, AND ON THE HIGHWAY. THE PREVIOUS OWNER SAID SHE TRIED GETTING IT FIXED BUT NO ONE COULD PINPOINT WHERE THE NOUSE WAS COMING FROM. I ASKED AROUND I GOT THE SAME RESPONSE,ALSO TOLD, "IF IT'S NOT MESSING WITH YOUR PERFORMANCE, IGNORE IT." RECENTLY GOING OVER BUMB IT STARTED MAKING ANOTHER SQUEAK NOISE, I WENT TO A TIRE SHOP AND ASKED FOR THEM TO LOOK AT MY SWAY BAR, TUR S OTHER TOP MOUNT OF MY DRIVER SIDE STRUT HAD A BOLT THAT COULD NOT BE TIGHTENED DOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11376410

89,000 miles · Nov 15, 2019
EngineSuspension

THE ENGINE LIGHT IS BLINKING ON THE DASHBOARD AND MAKING TOO MUCH SOUND FROM THE ENGINE, TOOK THE CAR TO MECHANIC HE SAID PROBLEM WITH O2 SENSORS AND CATALYST SYSTEM EFFIECIENCY (P0420) CODE

NHTSA ODI #11280320

48,000 miles · Feb 1, 2019
Suspension

REAR RIGHT SHOCK MOUNTING NUT ,ALL 4 WELDS BROKEN OFF FRAME SHOCK MOUNT.. I WAS TOLD BY 3 MECHANICS THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT. DEALER WONT COVER , 5YR ,60,000 MILE WARRANTY UP. CAR ONLY HAS 48,000 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ODI #11173582

33,000 miles · Sep 16, 2014
Suspension

AT 33,000 MILES THE TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED BUT I THOUGHT THIS WAS ACCEPTABLE MILEAGE FOR LOW PROFILE TIRES. THEN ONE YEAR LATER AT 58,000 MILES, THE TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED AGAIN, NOW AT 77,000 MILES, THE TIRES ARE GETTING TO A POINT OF REPLACEMENT AGAIN. THE TIRE WEAR IS EXCESSIVE ON THE REAR OF THE CAR. THE TIRES ARE ROT…

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AT 33,000 MILES THE TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED BUT I THOUGHT THIS WAS ACCEPTABLE MILEAGE FOR LOW PROFILE TIRES. THEN ONE YEAR LATER AT 58,000 MILES, THE TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED AGAIN, NOW AT 77,000 MILES, THE TIRES ARE GETTING TO A POINT OF REPLACEMENT AGAIN. THE TIRE WEAR IS EXCESSIVE ON THE REAR OF THE CAR. THE TIRES ARE ROTATED EVERY 6,000 MILES AND KEPT PROPERLY INFLATED. EACH TIME THE TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED A 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED. THE PRINTOUT I HAVE INDICATES THE REAR OF THE CAR IS OUT OF ACCEPTABLE SPECS. I LET HYUNDAI PERFORM THE LAST ALIGNMENT AND THEY DID NOT MENTION ANY REPAIRS WERE NEEDED AND WOULD NOT LET ME KEEP A COPY OF THE ALIGNMENT PRINTOUT. I RECENTLY HAD ANOTHER ALIGNMENT SPECIALIST JUST LOOK AT THE CAR AND HE SUGGESTED I TAKE IT TO A BODY SHOP TO HAVE THE REAR SUSPENSION OF THE CAR REWORKED/REPLACED IN ORDER TO GET THE REAR TIRES CLOSE TO WHERE THEY SHOULD BE LOCATED. IN GOOD WEATHER THERE IS A CONSTANT NEED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO KEEP THE CAR IN THE CORRECT LANE. THE CAR IS DIFFICULT TO DRIVE IN ANY KIND OF INCLEMENT WEATHER BECAUSE OF THE CONSTANT NEED TO CORRECT THE DIRECTION OF TRAVEL. IN SNOW AND ICE THE CAR CONSTANTLY "FISH TALES". WHEN A BUMP IN THE ROAD IS ENCOUNTERED AND ONE OF THE REAR TIRES BOUNCES, THE REAR OF THE CAR WILL DART TO THE SIDE THAT THE TIRE HAS LESS CONTACT WITH THE ROAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10633649

Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2014
Service BrakesSteeringSuspension

I HAVE CONTINUED TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM, STEERING AND SUSPENSION WHICH STARTED WHEN I WAS COMING HOME FROM PICKING MY SON UP FROM SCHOOL DEC. 21 2012. THERE WAS SNOW ON THE ROAD AND I TRIED TO SLOW DOWN GOING DOWN AN INCLINE BUT THE BRAKES CAUSED THE CAR TO JUMP, THE STEERING WOULD NOT RESPOND FAST ENOUGH AND T…

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I HAVE CONTINUED TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM, STEERING AND SUSPENSION WHICH STARTED WHEN I WAS COMING HOME FROM PICKING MY SON UP FROM SCHOOL DEC. 21 2012. THERE WAS SNOW ON THE ROAD AND I TRIED TO SLOW DOWN GOING DOWN AN INCLINE BUT THE BRAKES CAUSED THE CAR TO JUMP, THE STEERING WOULD NOT RESPOND FAST ENOUGH AND THE SUSPENSION FELT LIKE WE WERE RIDING ON METAL RIMS. I ALMOST HIT A TELEPHONE POLE BUT WE SLOWED IN THE SOFTER SNOW WHICH WASN'T BEAT DOWN YET. EVER SINCE THEN WHEN THERE IS SNOW OR ICY ROADS ESPECIALLY UP HERE IN THE MOUNTAINS OF WEST VIRGINIA I TEST THE BRAKES, STEERING AND SUSPENSION ON THE ROAD I LIVE ON BEFORE GOING ON THE HIGHWAY. OH, I FORGOT TO MENTION THAT IF YOU SHOULD BE UNFORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HIT A POTHOLE IT DOES THROUGH THE CAR TO THE RIGHT IF YOUR RIGHT FRONT WHEEL CATCHES IT AND IF YOUR LEFT FRONT WHEEL CATCHES ONE IT WILL PUT YOU INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ME SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE PAST YEARS. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10579465

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.