2012 Hyundai ACCENT: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
153 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
60,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 90 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 36 of 153 complaints (23.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 37 | 24.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 10 | 6.5% |
| Steering behavior | 9 | 5.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 5.2% |
| Engine operation | 7 | 4.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 2.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 36 |
| Electrical System | 22 |
| Service Brakes | 20 |
| Unknown Or Other | 19 |
| Air Bags | 17 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 17 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 14 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 10 |
Engine: 36; Electrical System: 22; Service Brakes: 20; Unknown Or Other: 19; Air Bags: 17; Vehicle Speed Control: 17; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 14; Fuel/Propulsion System: 10
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 23 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 13 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 16 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 17 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 18 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 23; 25,000 to 49,999: 13; 50,000 to 74,999: 16; 75,000 to 99,999: 17; 100,000 to 149,999: 18; 150,000 and above: 3
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (23). 63 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 7 |
| 2013 | 9 |
| 2014 | 13 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2016 | 8 |
| 2017 | 8 |
| 2018 | 12 |
| 2019 | 15 |
| 2020 | 18 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 9 |
| 2023 | 13 |
| 2024 | 17 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 3 |
2011: 3; 2012: 7; 2013: 9; 2014: 13; 2015: 8; 2016: 8; 2017: 8; 2018: 12; 2019: 15; 2020: 18; 2021: 4; 2022: 9; 2023: 13; 2024: 17; 2025: 6; 2026: 3
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 37 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 10 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10417934 · 2011-08-08 (August 8, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ACCENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 TO 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY DECELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL RAIL PRESSURE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. APPROXIMATELY TWO DAYS AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS SHIPPED TO CALIFORNIA FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 202.
Owner-reported narrative. 202 miles reported. Look up ODI 10417934 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10425707 · 2011-09-16 (September 16, 2011)
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR IN A 25 MPH SPEED LIMIT SCHOOL ZONE, MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL MY CAR ON WHAT COINCIDENTALLY WAS A CURVY ROAD AFTER HAVING JUST MADE A RIGHT TURN. THEREFORE AS I HAD JUST BEGUN TO PICK UP SPEED, HAVING TO FOLLOW A CURVE ABOUT 500 YARDS THEREAFTER, MY STEERING WHEEL REMAINED IN THE POSITION I HAD PLACED IT IN ORDER TO FOLLOW THE CURVE, LOCKING IMMEDIATELY AFTER. IN LOSING CONTROL OF MY CAR, MY INITIAL REACTION WAS TO TRY TO SHIFT MY STEERING WHEEL BUT AS IT DIDN'T BUDGE, I HIT ABOUT 2 OR 3 CONC…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10425707 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10441470 · 2011-12-28 (December 28, 2011)
I WAS TURNING A CORNER GOING TO WORK AND THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE POPPED. I CALLED THE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO COME TAKE CARE OF THE VEHICLE. ONLY TO LEARN THAT THERE WAS NO SPARE TIRE, WHEN I SPECIFICALLY ASKED THE SALESPERSON IF THERE WAS ONE HE STATED YES. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERS. THE DEALER THEN TELLS ME THAT I MUST HAVE HIT SOMETHING BECAUSE THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE HAD A HOLE IN IT. HOWEVER, I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING NOR RUB A CURB. THEY ARE NOT STANDING BEHIND THE WARRANTY OF THE TIRES AND NOTIFIED ME THAT THE TIRES ON T…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10441470 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10448780 · 2012-02-21 (February 21, 2012)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 5 miles reported. Look up ODI 10448780 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10450198 · 2012-03-04 (March 4, 2012)
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 N…
Owner-reported narrative. 52 miles reported. Look up ODI 10450198 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10454043 · 2012-04-04 (April 4, 2012)
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 SAF…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10454043 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10458996 · 2012-05-19 (May 19, 2012)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 12,357 miles reported. Look up ODI 10458996 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10468999 · 2012-08-02 (August 2, 2012)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10468999 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
20V393000 · Equipment:Electrical
Reported: 2020-07-02 (July 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗23V651000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module
Reported: 2023-09-22 (September 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗