Hyundai Accent 2006–2011 problems by year and mileage
3rd generation (MC)
NHTSA data through 18 October 2026458 complaints, 373 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2006 Hyundai Accent
Close- Median failure report
- 61,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 43
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
Most reported on the 2006
- Airbag system23 reports
- Visibility/wiper6 reports
- Visibility equipment5 reports
Recall areas Exterior lighting — brake lights · Exterior lighting
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2007 Hyundai Accent
Close- Median failure report
- 65,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 88
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
Most reported on the 2007
- Airbag system42 reports · median 70,000 mi
- Exterior lighting11 reports
- Visibility/wiper11 reports
Recall areas Exterior lighting — brake lights · Exterior lighting
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2008 Hyundai Accent
Close- Median failure report
- 50,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 101
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
Most reported on the 2008
- Airbag system34 reports
- Visibility/wiper17 reports
- Exterior lighting10 reports
Recall areas Exterior lighting — brake lights
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2009 Hyundai Accent
Close- Median failure report
- 71,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 101
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2009
- Airbag system27 reports
- Visibility/wiper13 reports
- Brakes12 reports
Recall areas Exterior lighting — brake lights
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2010 Hyundai Accent
Close- Median failure report
- 60,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 87
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
Most reported on the 2010
- Brakes17 reports
- Exterior lighting16 reports
- Electrical system12 reports
Recall areas Exterior lighting — brake lights
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2011 Hyundai Accent
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 38
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
Most reported on the 2011
- Electrical system10 reports
- Engine10 reports
- Airbag system7 reports
Recall areas Exterior lighting — brake lights
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. Latest: the 2009; earliest: the 2008, and the 2008 is 1 year older (part of the gap is age). 1 of these years carries fewer than 30 reports with an odometer reading and shows no median at all, rather than one computed from a handful.
The short answer
“Is the 2006–2011 Hyundai Accent reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 62,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 102,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 373
- Recalls
- 4
Most reported
- Airbag system31.2% of complaints · median 71,000 mi
- Visibility/wiper12.9% of complaints · median 57,000 mi
- Exterior lighting11.8% of complaints · median 63,000 mi
Owners filed 458 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006–2011 Hyundai Accent; the airbag system leads with 31.2% of them, and half of the 373 that record an odometer reading came by 62,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
No single peak: the middle half runs 32,000 to 82,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2006–2011 Hyundai Accent last?
On the 2006–2011 Hyundai Accent, half of the 373 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 62,000 miles and 90% by 102,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
9 reports came in past 150,000 miles — each one proof that an Accent reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Hyundai Accent 2006–2011 · 373 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
10,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 49 complaints
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 10%
- 10,000
- 25%
- 32,000
- Median
- 62,000
- 75%
- 82,000
- 90%
- 102,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 34 | 9.1% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 31 | 8.3% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 26 | 7.0% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 30 | 8.0% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 30 | 8.0% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 27 | 7.2% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 37 | 9.9% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 49 | 13.1% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 38 | 10.2% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 24 | 6.4% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 17 | 4.6% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 4 | 1.1% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 10 | 2.7% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 2 | 0.5% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 5 | 1.3% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 3 | 0.8% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 4 | 1.1% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 1 | 0.3% |
| 190,000–200,000 | 1 | 0.3% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common Accent problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Hyundai Accent 2006–2011
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Visibility/wiper59 reportsmedian 57,000middle half 35,000–75,000
- Visibility equipment30 reportsmedian 60,000middle half 29,000–75,000
- Electrical system49 reportsmedian 60,000middle half 45,000–77,000
- Exterior lighting54 reportsmedian 63,000middle half 42,000–77,000
- Engine33 reportsmedian 65,000middle half 40,000–90,000
- Airbag system143 reportsmedian 71,000middle half 34,000–94,000
- Brakes46 reportsmedian 76,000middle half 50,000–88,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag system | 143 | 31.2% | 71,000 | 34,000–94,000 |
| Visibility/wiper | 59 | 12.9% | 57,000 | 35,000–75,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 54 | 11.8% | 63,000 | 42,000–77,000 |
| Electrical system | 49 | 10.7% | 60,000 | 45,000–77,000 |
| Brakes | 46 | 10.0% | 76,000 | 50,000–88,000 |
| Engine | 33 | 7.2% | 65,000 | 40,000–90,000 |
| Visibility equipment | 30 | 6.6% | 60,000 | 29,000–75,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 27 | 5.9% | 78,000 | 37,000–95,000 |
| Body structure | 16 | 3.5% | 39,000 | 8,000–80,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 16 | 3.5% | 35,000 | 7,000–100,000 |
Known problems with the 2006–2011 Accent
Engine 2006–2011
Timing belt driven engine with CVVT; belt and tensioner service is the dominant maintenance-related failure. No large-scale systemic defect campaign specific to this generation in the US.
Before you buy a 2006–2011 Accent: the 3-minute check
Generated from 373 mileage-tagged complaints, 4 recall campaigns, 1 documented problem area.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 campaigns cover this generation.
- Check engine on 2006–2011 cars. What it looks like: Known problems.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
Accent problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi48% below | At 90k mi81% below | At 120k mi93% below | At 150k mi98% below | At 200k mi100% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag system | 34,000–94,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Visibility/wiper | 35,000–75,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Exterior lighting | 42,000–77,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 45,000–77,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Brakes | 50,000–88,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Engine | 40,000–90,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Visibility equipment | 29,000–75,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Hyundai Accent 2006–2011 · 373 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 48% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 81% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 93% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 98% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 100% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2006–2011 Hyundai Accent recalls (4)
NHTSA records 4 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
The campaigns cluster around the exterior lighting (4) (why one area can repeat).
Sep 2015 · 2009–2011 · Exterior LightingFailure to illuminate the brake lights during braking or the inability to disengage the cruise control could…
The defect. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Hyundai Accent vehicles manufactured March 1, 2009, to February 11, 2011. In the affected vehicles, the brake light switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning brake light switch may cause…
What can happen. Failure to illuminate the brake lights during braking or the inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake switch, free of charge. The recall began on October 21, 2015. Owners may contact Hyundai's customer service at 1-855-671-3059 or by…
Apr 2013 · 2006–2009 · Exterior LightingFailure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could…
The defect. Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe…
What can happen. Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the…
The free fix. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall…
Jul 2009 · 2006–2007 · Exterior LightingAny of these malfunctions could lead to a crash.
The defect. Hyundai is recalling 3,011 model year 2005-2007 elantra, tucson, sonata, azera and Accent vehicles. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to fail to illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause the brake lights to remain…
What can happen. Any of these malfunctions could lead to a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the stop lamp switch free of charge. The recall began on september 2, 2009. Owners may contact Hyundai of puerto rico customer service at 1-787-999-4310.
Apr 2009 · 2006–2007 · Exterior LightingAny of these malfunctions, alone or in combination, may lead to a crash.
The defect. Hyundai is recalling 532,633 my 2006-2007 Accent, entourage, sonata, my 2007 azera, elantra and santa fe, my 2005-2007 tucson and my 2007-2008 veracruz vehicles. The stop lamp switch in the affected vehicles may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch…
What can happen. Any of these malfunctions, alone or in combination, may lead to a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the stop lamp switch free of charge. The recall began on june 29, 2009. Owners may contact the Hyundai customer assistance center at 1-800-633-5151.
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 458 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 40 (8.7%)
- Fires
- 3
- Injury reports
- 28
- Fatality reports
- 1
Accent problems by model year
The 2008 drew the most complaints of this generation, 101, most of them about the airbag system, and the 2011 the fewest, 38. A typical year drew about 88.
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 43 | 39 | 61,000 | Airbag system (23) | 3 |
| 2007 | 88 | 72 | 65,000 | Airbag system (42) | 3 |
| 2008 | 101 | 82 | 50,000 | Airbag system (34) | 1 |
| 2009 | 101 | 86 | 71,000 | Airbag system (27) | 2 |
| 2010 | 87 | 67 | 60,000 | Brakes (17) | 1 |
| 2011 | 38 | 27 | under 30 reports | Electrical system (10) | 1 |
What Accent owners reported
The contact owned a 2009 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that while his girlfriend was driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. No warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact’s girlfriend then coasted the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an…
2009 · 93,000 miles · Engine
The passenger side door lock stopped working about two months ago. Can not unlock the door manually inside or with a key outside or with remote. Despite the age of the vehicle or warranty, this is without a doubt a serious safety issue, and the, NHTSA, should have already have had ordered a mandatory recall, given…
2009 · 128,000 miles · Electrical system
When the car is started, the air bag light turns on and won't turn off. Restarted several times since and the air bag light still stays on. Another issue that i never reported is both driver and passenger sun visors won't stay up. I replaced the driver side, but this is very distracting to a driver to have the visor…
2009 · 85,000 miles · Airbag system
Airbag light came on when i turned the car on one day. I was informed the airbag pressure sensor had failed and would have to replace the entire seat to rectify the problem as the airbag wouldn't deploy correctly if someone was in the passenger front seat. Recently learned it was a recall for some Kia models through a…
2009 · 45,000 miles · Airbag system
Built from 373 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other Accent generations
- Accent 2000–2005 240 reports with mileage, most about the transmission and driveline
- Accent 2012–2017 311 reports with mileage, most about the engine