2020 Hyundai ACCENT: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
12 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
34,250 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 12 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 2 | 16.7% |
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 | 4 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 1 |
| Seats | 1 |
| Steering | 1 |
| Structure:Body:Door:Handle:Exterior | 1 |
Engine: 4; Air Bags: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Electrical System: 1; Seat Belts: 1; Seats: 1; Steering: 1; Structure:Body:Door:Handle:Exterior: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 8 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 |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 3 |
2020: 1; 2021: 3; 2022: 2; 2023: 1; 2024: 2; 2025: 3
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 2 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 11366144 · 2020-10-24 (October 24, 2020)
MY GRANDDAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON A FREEWAY NEAR DALLAS TX. AS SHE SLOWED FOR AN UPCOMING CONSTRUCTION ZONE SHE WAS REAR-ENDED BY BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. PROPELLING HER INTO THE GUARD RAIL AND FURTHER TO THE RIGHT ENDING UP IN THE RIGHT LANE OF THE FREEWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS WITH FRONT AND REAR DAMAGE AND THE AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. NOBODY AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED IN MAY 2020 WILL DISCUSS THE ISSUE NOR AM I ABLE TO CONTACT ANY BREATHING PERSON AT HYUNDAI CORPORATE TO DISCUSS THIS ISSUE.
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11366144 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11423368 · 2021-07-03 (July 3, 2021)
As I went to take a turn the vehicles electric power steering went out causing loss of control of the vehicle. The electric power steering is faulty and others should know about this major safety defect. Again What Exactly Happened was as I was turning the steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn then all of a sudden it turned extremely easy, "more than normal" and caused loss of control of the vehicle resulting in a head on collision that injured me and left me with fractured ribs and Sternum.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11423368 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11423521 · 2021-07-06 (July 6, 2021)
I owned a 2017 Elantra and now I own a 2020 Accent. Both cars had the same on and off problem. When I am at an intersection and have to step on the gas to get thru the intersection quickly, when I step on the gas nothing happens. I have to pump the gas several times to get going. In the old days we called this vapor lock. This has happened numerous times but last week it almost got me killed. A car was coming from the lane to my right and I stepped on the gas and got about half way thru the intersection and the car just stopped and I was almost…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11423521 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11423899 · 2021-07-08 (July 8, 2021)
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated while driving approximately 55-60 mph, the hood was released without warning and cracked the front windshield. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 42,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11423899 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11471122 · 2022-06-27 (June 27, 2022)
My vehicle does the same thing as NHTSA ID Number: 11423521 and now I know not to bother taking it in for service for this issue. I was validated when I read that complaint as I have and continue to experience the same non-responsive issue when I accelerate from a complete stop ever since the vehicle was purchased 2020 February. This form asks for a specific date but there is no specific date. It happens every time I drive the vehicle. The issue can be erratic and I never know when I can or can’t depend on the vehicle’s acceleration and liv…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11471122 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11482188 · 2022-08-31 (August 31, 2022)
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Accent. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number 22V354000 (Seat Belts) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted and it was confirmed that the part was 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. Parts distribution disconnect.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11482188 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11527232 · 2023-06-15 (June 15, 2023)
Power steering went out
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11527232 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11584531 · 2024-04-22 (April 22, 2024)
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that the cruise control button had fractured. While driving with the cruise control engaged, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 103,300.
Owner-reported narrative. 103,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 11584531 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
21V619000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Trunk Lid:Latch
Reported: 2021-08-06 (August 6, 2021)
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Sonata, 2016-2018 Sonata Hybrid, 2018-2020 Accent, and 2016-2017 Azera vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."
Consequence: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the trunk latch base, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 208.
NHTSA campaign record ↗22V069000 · Seat Belts:Pretensioner | Seat Belts:Front
Reported: 2022-02-09 (February 9, 2022)
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Accent vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioner(s) may explode upon deployment.
Consequence: An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, striking vehicle occupants and resulting in injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 24, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 219. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 21V-796. This recall is replaced by NHTSA recall number 22V-354. Vehicles already repaired under this recall will need to have the new remedy completed.
NHTSA campaign record ↗22V218000 · Seat Belts:Front | Seat Belts:Pretensioner
Reported: 2022-04-01 (April 1, 2022)
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Elantra and 2020 Accent vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver and passenger-side seat belt pretensioners may explode upon deployment.
Consequence: Exploding seat belt pretensioners can project metal fragments into the vehicle, strike vehicle occupants, and result in injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed on May 31, 2022. A second notice will be sent once remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 223. This recall is replaced by NHTSA recall number 22V-354. Vehicles already repaired under this recall will need to have the new remedy completed.
NHTSA campaign record ↗22V354000 · Seat Belts:Front | Seat Belts:Pretensioner
Reported: 2022-05-19 (May 19, 2022)
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Accent, 2021-2022 Elantra, and 2021-2022 Elantra HEV vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioners may explode upon deployment.
Consequence: An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, strike vehicle occupants, and result in injury.
Remedy: Dealers will secure the seat belt pretensioner(s) with a cap, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 28, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 229. This recall expands and replaces NHTSA recall numbers 21V-796, 22V-069, 22V-218, and 22V-123 for Accent, Elantra, and Elantra HEV vehicles. All Accent, Elantra, and Elantra HEV vehicles already repaired under the previous recalls will need to have the new remedy completed.
NHTSA campaign record ↗