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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 · 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

Mileage unknown · Nov 29, 2023
Service Brakes, Air

I received a recall notice in October for my 2012 Hyundai Accent. According to the recall, my car is safe to drive but should not be parked in my garage or near my home due to fire risk. The letter said a remedy would be available as of 11/21. It is now 11/29 and there's still no remedy available. Because I'm in upstate NY, the …

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I received a recall notice in October for my 2012 Hyundai Accent. According to the recall, my car is safe to drive but should not be parked in my garage or near my home due to fire risk. The letter said a remedy would be available as of 11/21. It is now 11/29 and there's still no remedy available. Because I'm in upstate NY, the temperature has plummeted and my car is having a harder time starting in the morning since I can't park it in our garage. I'm putting in a complaint due to the fact that the manufacturer has failed to remedy this safety recall in a timely manner.

NHTSA ODI #11557483

Mileage unknown · Nov 22, 2023
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Accent. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aw…

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The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Accent. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI #11556513

Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2023
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Accent. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manuf…

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The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Accent. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI #11555090

75,000 miles · Nov 14, 2023
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil with the oil warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approxi…

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The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil with the oil warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

NHTSA ODI #11555049

Mileage unknown · Oct 13, 2023
Engine

Purchased in January 2023 with 99k miles. Performed oil change on day 1. Checked fluid levels every 1500 miles, noticed oil was low, ( no smoking, no burning oil smell, no idea where oil was going?) began adding oil, and checking every 500 miles. Always about 1/4 quart low. Changed oil, and filter every 3000 miles. At approxima…

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Purchased in January 2023 with 99k miles. Performed oil change on day 1. Checked fluid levels every 1500 miles, noticed oil was low, ( no smoking, no burning oil smell, no idea where oil was going?) began adding oil, and checking every 500 miles. Always about 1/4 quart low. Changed oil, and filter every 3000 miles. At approximately 119k, started hearing a small ticking sound, was told to use better gas, so began using premium gas. Didn't change the ticking. At 120k tick became a loud knock, after new oil/filter change (I changed oil early at approximately 1800 miles to try to alleviate tick. Decided to drive to mechanic shop when engine light came on and showed knock sensor code. I bought a knock sensor and replaced old one. Shop says rod bearing is causing to noise, and asked to see old oil which I keep in new oil containers.after I change, to dispose of at auto store. Bottom of oil containers was full of fine metal. Tell me the engine might have recall. However 2012 accent 1.6 gdi I not on recall, but 2012 veloster is, among others that use the same engine. I believe the recall on other vehicles is due to exactly what's happed to mine. Why is the 2012 accent gs not included in the recalls for engine replacement? I've emailed huyndia of America, and they say I am responsible for fixing the engine? I feel no amount of maintenance would have kept this from happening. I've thought maybe if check engine light had come on when ticking first started I could have taken car to dealer and that tick might not have became rod bearing clanking, and knocking? Please help to add 2012 accent to recall. Ive read many other stories describing the same problem. Thank you

NHTSA ODI #11549718

Mileage unknown · Sep 29, 2023
Wheels

This car has lost air in the tires even after installing new tires . The rims are rusting through on the backside . The check tire light has come on about every 1 1/2 months . I finally found out why the other day . A tire finally went flat setting with out use . This time when I stuck it in the dunk tank I was able to see tin…

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This car has lost air in the tires even after installing new tires . The rims are rusting through on the backside . The check tire light has come on about every 1 1/2 months . I finally found out why the other day . A tire finally went flat setting with out use . This time when I stuck it in the dunk tank I was able to see tiny bubbles on the back side of the rim. I also noted significate rust. This is a dangerous situation with all the wheels. When wire brushing the wheel to apply Epoxy the hole opened up and immediately deflated. After cleaning the wheel I applied Epoxy but it is only a temporary fix as it needs all the wheels replaced. I am [XXX] and have owned a lot of cars and this is the first I have seen wheels rust through. I have a 48 Willys jeep with original wheels and it has been outside all its life and the wheels are still good. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11547245

Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2023
Unknown Or Other

I was not in an accident

NHTSA ODI #11506800

90,000 miles · Jan 6, 2023
Vehicle Speed Control

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the contact felt the vehicle accelerating while depressing the brake pedal. The contact made it to the residence safely; however, after shifting into park, the engine was still revving. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was diagnos…

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The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the contact felt the vehicle accelerating while depressing the brake pedal. The contact made it to the residence safely; however, after shifting into park, the engine was still revving. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic who determined that the accelerator pedal was stuck. The accelerator assembly was replaced. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that there was no recall associated with the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #11500506

Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 2022
Engine

Loud ticking and engine knocking. Car starts to stall and overheat, car does not shift properly. Was told it was failing coils. Replaced all coils and spark plugs, this remedied the flashing ck engine light. Check engine light still on and still says the coil is not responding. Tech says it is a stuck lifter but can't be manua…

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Loud ticking and engine knocking. Car starts to stall and overheat, car does not shift properly. Was told it was failing coils. Replaced all coils and spark plugs, this remedied the flashing ck engine light. Check engine light still on and still says the coil is not responding. Tech says it is a stuck lifter but can't be manually unstuck. Road hazard is car will stall and engine will fail without warning. Car has received regular oil change maintenance.

NHTSA ODI #11499286

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.