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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

What owners actually said

153 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2013
Tires

DRIVING THE CAR FOR ABOUT 9000 MILES, THE TIRES CANNOT BE USED. I BOUGHT THE HYUNDAI ACCENT 2012 LESS THAN A YEAR AND ALL TIRES ARE GONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10503291

Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 2013
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

2012 HYUNDAI ACCENT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FAULTY BRAKE CALIPERS AND SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. *SMD IN OCTOBER 2012, A SERVICE REPAIR SHOP, INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE PAD WAS COMPLETELY WORN OUT AND THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE TURNED. THE LEFT REAR CALIPER HAD NOT STUCK AND THE BRAKE PAD S…

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2012 HYUNDAI ACCENT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FAULTY BRAKE CALIPERS AND SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. *SMD IN OCTOBER 2012, A SERVICE REPAIR SHOP, INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE PAD WAS COMPLETELY WORN OUT AND THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE TURNED. THE LEFT REAR CALIPER HAD NOT STUCK AND THE BRAKE PAD STILL HAD LOTS OF WEAR LEFT ON IT. THE NEXT DAY, THE CONSUMER WENT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER T HE REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, BECAUSE THE RIGHT REAR CALIPER SLIDE HAD BECOME DIRTY AND WAS STUCK, THUS CAUSING THE SERVICE PROBLEM. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE AIR, THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE ALUMINUM PAD DEPTH INDICATOR CLIP WAS BROKEN ALSO. IF THAT HAD BEEN WORKING, THE PROBLEM WOULD HAVE BEEN CAUGHT SOONER. THE CONSUMER WENT BACK TO THE LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, AND THE REFUSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY WERE ADAMANT THE CALIPER ISSUE WAS HYUNDAI'S RESPONSIBILITY AND UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONSUMER EVENTUALLY PAID TO HAVE THE PADS REPLACED AND THE ROTORS TURNED AT A COST OF $ 271.00. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10498681

4,000 miles · Jan 8, 2013
Tires

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ACCENT EQUIPPED WITH KUMHO ECSTA ASX TIRES, SIZE 195-50-R16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH OVER A RAILROAD TRACK, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE FAILED DUE T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ACCENT EQUIPPED WITH KUMHO ECSTA ASX TIRES, SIZE 195-50-R16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH OVER A RAILROAD TRACK, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE FAILED DUE TO BUBBLES EXHIBITED ON THE INSIDE WALL. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE REPLACEMENT TIRE ALSO FAILED WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH. THE REPLACEMENT TIRE, WHICH WAS ALSO A KUMHO TIRE OF THE SAME SIZE, FAILED DUE TO TREAD SEPARATION. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE DOT NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,000.

NHTSA ODI #10491811

1,000 miles · Sep 14, 2012
Tires

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ACCENT SE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH, HE DROVE INTO A POTHOLE WHICH CAUSED THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE TO BLOW. THE VEHICLE DID NOT COME EQUIPPED WITH A SPARE TIRE BUT RATHER A TIRE SEALANT. THE HOLE WAS TOO LARGE FOR THE SEALANT TO BE EFFECTIVE, LEAVING THE CONTACT STRANDED.…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ACCENT SE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH, HE DROVE INTO A POTHOLE WHICH CAUSED THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE TO BLOW. THE VEHICLE DID NOT COME EQUIPPED WITH A SPARE TIRE BUT RATHER A TIRE SEALANT. THE HOLE WAS TOO LARGE FOR THE SEALANT TO BE EFFECTIVE, LEAVING THE CONTACT STRANDED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 1,000.

NHTSA ODI #10475450

9,000 miles · Aug 14, 2012
Structure

THE METALLIC SILVER PAINT THAT THE COMPANY USED TO COVER THE BLACK PLASTIC HOUSING FOR THE WINDOW AND LOCK BUTTONS EASILY SCRATCHES AND SCRAPES OFF WITH "NORMAL" ROUTINE TOUCHING AND WITH "NORMAL" RESTING OF THE ARMS ON THESE AREA. THE COMPANY REP WON'T ADMIT THAT THEY USED CHEAP PAINT OR DIDN'T THINK ABOUT THESE "HIGH TRAFFIC" …

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THE METALLIC SILVER PAINT THAT THE COMPANY USED TO COVER THE BLACK PLASTIC HOUSING FOR THE WINDOW AND LOCK BUTTONS EASILY SCRATCHES AND SCRAPES OFF WITH "NORMAL" ROUTINE TOUCHING AND WITH "NORMAL" RESTING OF THE ARMS ON THESE AREA. THE COMPANY REP WON'T ADMIT THAT THEY USED CHEAP PAINT OR DIDN'T THINK ABOUT THESE "HIGH TRAFFIC" AREAS WHEN DECIDING TO USE INFERIOR NON-DURABLE PAINT ON THESE PARTS. I HAVE ONLY HAD MY CAR FOR 6 MONTHS AND THE DPSM FROM HYUNDAI (MARIETTA, GEORGIA - SOUTHERN HEADQUARTERS) IS NOT ACKNOWLEDGING THE BAD MANUFACTURING CHOICE OF USING THE SUBSTANDARD, NON-DURABLE COATING FOR THESE PARTS. THESE METALLIC PAINTED PARTS CANNOT WITHSTAND EVERYDAY "NORMAL" USE, AS THEY BECOME UNATTRACTIVE AND WORN IN A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. (WITHIN 6 MONTHS - IN MY CASE). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10470632

800 miles · Aug 2, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ACCENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS; HOWEVER THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTAN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ACCENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS; HOWEVER THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 800 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,000. ..UPDATED 09/04/12 *BF UPDATED 09/07/2012 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10468999

12,357 miles · May 19, 2012
Air BagsStructure

THE VEHICLE REAR ENDED A FORD ESCAPE AT UNDER 20 MPH. THE HYUNDAI SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE FRONT END AND ENGINE DAMAGE. THE CAR WAS TOTALED AND NOT REPAIRED. THE OTHER VEHICLE RECEIVED MINOR REAR BUMPER DAMAGE. THE AIR BAGS ON THE HYUNDAI DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE DRIVER HIT HER FOREHEAD AND RECEIVE A BRUISED BUMP THAT DID NOT REQUI…

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THE VEHICLE REAR ENDED A FORD ESCAPE AT UNDER 20 MPH. THE HYUNDAI SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE FRONT END AND ENGINE DAMAGE. THE CAR WAS TOTALED AND NOT REPAIRED. THE OTHER VEHICLE RECEIVED MINOR REAR BUMPER DAMAGE. THE AIR BAGS ON THE HYUNDAI DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE DRIVER HIT HER FOREHEAD AND RECEIVE A BRUISED BUMP THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10458996

1,200 miles · Apr 4, 2012
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ACCENT. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE CONTINUOUSLY AS A RESULT TO WATER SPILLAGE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THERE WAS A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT S…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ACCENT. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE CONTINUOUSLY AS A RESULT TO WATER SPILLAGE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THERE WAS A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR DUE TO THE WATER SPILLAGE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED BECAUSE THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT SENSOR ASSEMBLY REMAINED UNAVAILABLE SINCE NOVEMBER OF 2011. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN OF THE POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD WITH THE AIR BAG NOT BEING OPERATIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,200. UPDATED 5/7/12 *CN UPDATED 05/30/12

NHTSA ODI #10454043

52 miles · Mar 4, 2012
Tires

I PURCHASED A 2012 HYUNDAI ACCENT 5 DOOR 03/02/21012 AND DISCOVERED AFTER THE PURCHASE THERE WAS NO SPARE TIRE JUST A REPAIR KIT. I WAS NOT TOLD BEFORE THE PURCHASE. WHO WOULD EVEN THINK THAT A SPARE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN THE DARK AND IT'S INCLEMENT WEATHER . T…

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I PURCHASED A 2012 HYUNDAI ACCENT 5 DOOR 03/02/21012 AND DISCOVERED AFTER THE PURCHASE THERE WAS NO SPARE TIRE JUST A REPAIR KIT. I WAS NOT TOLD BEFORE THE PURCHASE. WHO WOULD EVEN THINK THAT A SPARE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN THE DARK AND IT'S INCLEMENT WEATHER . THE TIRE KIT INSTRUCTIONS ARE HARD TO UNDERSTAND. I CONTACTED HYUNDAI AND MY SECRETARY OF STATE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE SAFETY ISSUE. HYUNDAI'S EXPLANATION WAS IT WAS FOR BETTER MILEAGE AND THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT HYUNDAI NOW MAKES A SPARE FOR THE 2012 ELANTRA FOR A PRICE AND THE SPARE FOR THE ACCENT IS IN PROCESS,ONCE AGAIN FOR A PRICE. IT WILL BE AN OPTION . I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED MY AAA BECAUSE IF I GET A FLAT THEY WILL HAVE TO USE THE KIT OR TOW ME,FOR A PRICE , TO THE NEAREST DEALER. BETTER MILEAGE IS GREAT BUT SO ISN'T SAFETY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10450198

5 miles · Feb 21, 2012
Tires

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ACCENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT COME EQUIPPED WITH A SPARE TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A SPARE TIRE FOR ECONOMICAL REASONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5.

NHTSA ODI #10448780

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.