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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
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

107,115 miles · Mar 11, 2019
Unknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

BURNS OFF 1/2 QT OF OIL EVERY 1500 MILES. PO326 (KNOCK SENSOR) TROUBLE CODE ON CHILLI MORNINGS. P050A (COLD START) TROUBLE CODE WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #11185974

130,000 miles · Feb 13, 2019
EngineUnknown Or Other

TAKATA RECALL I AM AT 130,000 MILES AND THERE IS NO OIL LEAKING, BUT EVERY TIME I GET AN OIL CHANGE IT JUST DISAPPEARS. EVEN IF I'M NOT DRIVING 1000 MI/MONTH, IT IS COMPLETELY DRY WITHIN A FEW WEEKS OF GETTING AN OIL CHANGE. I HAVE TO CONSTANTLY PUT OIL IN MY CAR IN BETWEEN OIL CHANGES EVERY 3 MONTHS.

NHTSA ODI #11179930

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

100,010 miles · Jan 7, 2019
Air Bags

MY 2012 HYUNDAI ACCENT JUST PASSED 100,000 MILES AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. I HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE WITH A 2006 HYUNDAI AND I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A LONGSTANDING ISSUE WITH MULTIPLE MODELS AND YEARS. THE FIX CAN BE VERY INVASIVE AND EXPENSIVE AND ONLY SOME ARE COVERED BY RECALL. CHECKING THE VIN NUMBER, MY HYUNDAI …

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MY 2012 HYUNDAI ACCENT JUST PASSED 100,000 MILES AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. I HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE WITH A 2006 HYUNDAI AND I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A LONGSTANDING ISSUE WITH MULTIPLE MODELS AND YEARS. THE FIX CAN BE VERY INVASIVE AND EXPENSIVE AND ONLY SOME ARE COVERED BY RECALL. CHECKING THE VIN NUMBER, MY HYUNDAI IS NOT CURRENTLY COVERED BY A RECALL, BUT I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE AS THIS IS A CONTINUING ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11164818

Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2018
Visibility/wiper

WHEN IT GETS COLD FRONT WIPERS STOP WORKING, WHEN IT WARMS UP THEY START WORKING AGAIN. DANGEROUS WHEN IT SNOWS AS WIPERS STOP WITH NO WARNING..

NHTSA ODI #11151850

111,000 miles · Oct 23, 2018
EngineFire

ON AUGUST 5TH AFTER A 20 MINUTE DRIVE MY CAR WAS PARKED IN A FRIENDS DRIVEWAY. MOMENTS AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS ISSUES. SMELLS. WARNING LIGHTS. DROVE JUST FINE. THANKS TO A PASSING OFF DUTY FIREMAN HE STOPPED AND SPRANG INTO ACTION WITH THE GARDEN HOSE UNTIL THE FIRE DEPT ARRIVED J…

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ON AUGUST 5TH AFTER A 20 MINUTE DRIVE MY CAR WAS PARKED IN A FRIENDS DRIVEWAY. MOMENTS AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS ISSUES. SMELLS. WARNING LIGHTS. DROVE JUST FINE. THANKS TO A PASSING OFF DUTY FIREMAN HE STOPPED AND SPRANG INTO ACTION WITH THE GARDEN HOSE UNTIL THE FIRE DEPT ARRIVED JUST MOMENTS LATER. BECAUSE THE ENGINE WAS ONE GIANT MELTED MESS ALLSTATE WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. HYUNDAI SHOWED NO RECALLS AFTER ENTERING MY VIN NUMBER. IT WAS MY THIRD HYUNDAI AND STILL SHOCKED THIS HAPPENED.

NHTSA ODI #11142194

116,000 miles · Sep 10, 2018
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ACCENT. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PERFORMANCE TOYOTA (LOCATED AT 5676 DIXIE HWY, FAIRFIELD, OH 45014, (513) 874-8797) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE SENSOR INDICATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ACCENT. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PERFORMANCE TOYOTA (LOCATED AT 5676 DIXIE HWY, FAIRFIELD, OH 45014, (513) 874-8797) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE SENSOR INDICATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 11571147. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000.

NHTSA ODI #11128459

133,100 miles · Jun 29, 2018
EngineService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ACCENT. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE AND THE ABS, ENGINE, 02 SENSOR, AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. AFTER A FEW MOMENTS, THE VIBRATION STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WERNER HYUNDAI (252 CAPITAL CIR SW, TALLAHASSEE, FL 32304, (850) 575-1000) W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ACCENT. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE AND THE ABS, ENGINE, 02 SENSOR, AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. AFTER A FEW MOMENTS, THE VIBRATION STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WERNER HYUNDAI (252 CAPITAL CIR SW, TALLAHASSEE, FL 32304, (850) 575-1000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,100.

NHTSA ODI #11104717

80,100 miles · May 20, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FOR KNOCK SENSOR KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF. THIS IS CONSTANCE ISSUE THAT I HAVE BEEN HAVING. I HAVE NOTIFY THE DEALERSHIP BUT THEY ARR SAYING THAT THERR IS NO RECALL REGARDING KNOCK SENSOR ON A 2012 HYUNDAI ACCENT GLS.

NHTSA ODI #11096927

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.