Hyundai Accent 2012–2017 problems by year and mileage
4th generation (RB)
NHTSA data through 18 October 2026613 complaints, 311 with mileageMethod
A DO NOT DRIVE recall covers part of this generation — check the VIN before driving it home.
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2012 Hyundai Accent
Close- Median failure report
- 60,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 153
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2012
- Engine36 reports
- Electrical system24 reports
- Brakes20 reports
Recall areas Service brakes, hydraulic — antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · Equipment — electrical
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2013 Hyundai Accent
Close- Median failure report
- 45,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 141
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
† This median likely runs low (why).
Most reported on the 2013
- Engine34 reports
- Hydraulic brake circuit24 reports
- Electrical system18 reports
Recall areas Service brakes, hydraulic — antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2014 Hyundai Accent
Close- Median failure report
- 76,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 79
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
† This median likely runs low (why).
Most reported on the 2014
- Engine18 reports
- Brakes12 reports
- Hydraulic brake circuit12 reports
Recall areas Service brakes, hydraulic — antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2015 Hyundai Accent
Close- Median failure report
- 62,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 70
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
† This median likely runs low (why).
Most reported on the 2015
- Airbag system26 reports
- Engine20 reports
- Electrical system10 reports
Recall areas Service brakes, hydraulic — antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · Air bags — frontal
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2016 Hyundai Accent
Close- Median failure report
- 50,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 102
- Recalls naming this year
- 0
† This median likely runs low (why).
Most reported on the 2016
- Engine33 reports
- Airbag system30 reports
- Electrical system26 reports
The 2017 Hyundai Accent
Close- Median failure report
- 51,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 68
- Recalls naming this year
- 0
† This median likely runs low (why).
Most reported on the 2017
- Engine23 reports
- Airbag system21 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise16 reports
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. † Median likely runs low (complaints filed after 2020). Latest: the 2014; earliest: the 2013, and the 2013 is 1 year older (part of the gap is age).
The short answer
“Is the 2012–2017 Hyundai Accent reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 55,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 120,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 311
- Recalls
- 3
At least 40% of this generation’s complaints came after 2020, so its median likely runs low (why).
Most reported
- Engine26.8% of complaints · median 89,000 mi
- Airbag system19.4% of complaints · median 52,000 mi
- Electrical system15.0% of complaints · median 54,000 mi
Owners filed 613 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012–2017 Hyundai Accent; the engine leads with 26.8% of them, and half of the 311 that record an odometer reading came by 55,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
No single peak: the middle half runs 22,000 to 90,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2012–2017 Hyundai Accent last?
On the 2012–2017 Hyundai Accent, half of the 311 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 55,000 miles and 90% by 120,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
10 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 3 past 200,000 — each one proof that an Accent reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Hyundai Accent 2012–2017 · 311 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
10,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 47 complaints
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 3 complaints (1.0%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 3,500
- 25%
- 22,000
- Median
- 55,000
- 75%
- 90,000
- 90%
- 120,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 47 | 15.1% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 24 | 7.7% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 25 | 8.0% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 17 | 5.5% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 24 | 7.7% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 28 | 9.0% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 25 | 8.0% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 19 | 6.1% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 20 | 6.4% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 16 | 5.1% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 19 | 6.1% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 15 | 4.8% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 6 | 1.9% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 12 | 3.9% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 4 | 1.3% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 3 | 1.0% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 1 | 0.3% |
| 170,000–180,000 | 1 | 0.3% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 2 | 0.6% |
| 200,000+ | 3 | 1.0% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common Accent problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Hyundai Accent 2012–2017
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Steering39 reportsmedian 24,000middle half 11,000–50,000
- Brakes66 reportsmedian 41,000middle half 15,000–55,000
- Airbag system119 reportsmedian 52,000middle half 23,000–75,000
- Electrical system92 reportsmedian 54,000middle half 32,000–78,000
- Problems owners could not categorise82 reportsmedian 56,000middle half 22,000–90,000
- Engine164 reportsmedian 89,000middle half 53,000–115,000
- Hydraulic brake circuit58 reportsmedian 102,000middle half 78,000–150,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 164 | 26.8% | 89,000 | 53,000–115,000 |
| Airbag system | 119 | 19.4% | 52,000 | 23,000–75,000 |
| Electrical system | 92 | 15.0% | 54,000 | 32,000–78,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 82 | 13.4% | 56,000 | 22,000–90,000 |
| Brakes | 66 | 10.8% | 41,000 | 15,000–55,000 |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 58 | 9.5% | 102,000 | 78,000–150,000 |
| Steering | 39 | 6.4% | 24,000 | 11,000–50,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 39 | 6.4% | 56,000 | 24,000–89,000 |
| Body structure | 33 | 5.4% | 38,000 | 12,000–60,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 28 | 4.6% | 43,000 | 11,000–63,000 |
Known problems with the 2012–2017 Accent
Brakes - Electrical 2012–2015
Anti-lock Brake System module internal brake fluid leak causing an electrical short and engine-compartment fire, which can occur while parked as well as while driving. Root cause identified as the material formulation of the ABS module O-ring rubber, which deteriorates and allows internal leakage. Hyundai Safety Recall 251 / NHTSA 23V-651 covers certain 2012-2015 Accent vehicles built 5 March 2011 to 31 October 2014; the interim remedy is an ABS fuse replacement and owners were told to park outside pending repair.
Engine - Intake 2012–2017
1.6L Gamma GDI intake valve carbon deposits from direct injection, causing rough idle and misfire at higher mileage; also high-pressure fuel pump tick.
Before you buy a 2012–2017 Accent: the 3-minute check
Generated from 311 mileage-tagged complaints, 3 recall campaigns, 2 documented problem areas.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 campaigns cover this generation.
- Check brakes - electrical on 2012–2015 cars. What each looks like: Known problems.
- Check engine - intake on 2012–2017 cars.
- 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 mi53% below | At 90k mi74% below | At 120k mi90% below | At 150k mi97% below | At 200k mi99% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 53,000–115,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Airbag system | 23,000–75,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 32,000–78,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 22,000–90,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Brakes | 15,000–55,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 78,000–150,000 | later | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Steering | 11,000–50,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Hyundai Accent 2012–2017 · 311 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 53% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 74% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 90% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 97% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 99% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2012–2017 Hyundai Accent recalls (3)
NHTSA records 3 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
1 of these carry a severe advisory — do not drive or park outside; check those first by VIN.
Sep 2023 · 2012–2015 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic park outsideAn engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The defect. 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…
What can happen. An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The free fix. 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…
Jul 2020 · 2012 · EquipmentAn overheated accessory outlet increases the risk of fire.
The defect. 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…
What can happen. An overheated accessory outlet increases the risk of fire.
The free fix. 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…
Apr 2015 · 2015 · Air BagsIf the ODS fails to detect that the seat is occupied by a child restraint seat, the front air bag will not be…
The defect. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015 Accent vehicles manufactured September 15, 2014, to February 10, 2015. In very cold temperatures, the occupant detection system (ODS) may not be able to determine if a child restraint seat…
What can happen. If the ODS fails to detect that the seat is occupied by a child restraint seat, the front air bag will not be deactivated and, in the event of a crash necessitating front air bag deployment, the air…
The free fix. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will correct ODS software, free of charge. The recall began on June 4, 2015. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number…
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 613 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 64 (10.4%)
- Fires
- 43
- Injury reports
- 51
- Fatality reports
- 1
Accent problems by model year
The 2012 drew the most complaints of this generation, 153, most of them about the engine, and the 2017 the fewest, 68. A typical year drew about 90.
The first year of the generation, 2012, drew more complaints than a typical year (what a yearly count can and cannot say).
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 153 | 90 | 60,000 | Engine (36) | 2 |
| 2013 | 141 | 70 | 45,000† | Engine (34) | 1 |
| 2014 | 79 | 31 | 76,000† | Engine (18) | 1 |
| 2015 | 70 | 38 | 62,000† | Airbag system (26) | 2 |
| 2016 | 102 | 51 | 50,000† | Engine (33) | 0 |
| 2017 | 68 | 31 | 51,000† | Engine (23) | 0 |
What Accent owners reported
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that while the vehicle parked, the contact became aware that there was a fire in the front passenger side of the vehicle, underneath the radio and along the center console. The contact extinguished the fire. The contact stated that fire odor was like an…
2015 · 132,000 miles · Electrical system
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that she recently purchased the vehicle from a private seller. When the contact drove the vehicle for the first time, there were no issues or warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. However, when the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for…
2016 · 143,000 miles · Airbag system
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to come to a complete stop as intended while the brake pedal was fully depressed. The brake warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact used the parking brake to pull over to the shoulder of the…
2013 · 150,000 miles · Hydraulic brake circuit
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds on several occasions, the steering wheel seized. No warning light was illuminated. The brakes locked up, causing a tire blowout. The contact stated that the tie rod was replaced. The contact stated that a neighbor…
2014 · 110,000 miles · Brakes
Built from 311 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 2006–2011 373 reports with mileage, most about the airbag system