Home · 2012 Hyundai Accent 5 · Complaints

What 152 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Hyundai Accent 5

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (152)Crash / fire / injury (21)Engine (36)Brakes (33)Electrical system (24)Speed control (18)Airbags (17)Fuel system (12)Body & structure (9)Steering (9)Tires (9)Suspension (7)

Newest first · 152 complaints · page 2 of 7

Dec 26, 2023Brakes

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Accent. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11561940

Dec 23, 2023Electrical system

I received this notice of a safety recall for my 2012 Hyundai accent in late October. Hyundai stated that a remedy would be available in late November. Now it's late December, and I've heard nothing from Hyundai. This safety recall sounds urgent and incredibly dangerous; I don't feel safe driving or parking my vehicle anywhere because according to them, it can catch fire at any moment. Despite this, Hyundai hasn't provided any more solutions other than parking my car outside, which doesn't solve the issue with driving it and frankly isn't any more safe. Hyundai isn't responding quickly enough at all for how urgent this issue is, even though several vehicle fires and thermal incidents have already occurred due to this very issue. It's ridiculous that they state the vehicle is safe to drive, yet they admit that the vehicle can catch fire while it's being driven. At this point, the government needs to step in and hold Hyundai accountable, for the sake of public safety. They need to be made to provide a solution that actually solves the problem, even if it isn't cheap to do so.

NHTSA ODI 11561660

Dec 21, 2023Engine

The cast pistons in the turbo engine overheated and caused detonation which has disabled the engine. The extended warranty companies know about this possibility and specifically makes sure it is not covered.

NHTSA ODI 11561376

Dec 13, 2023Brakes

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Accent. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11559909

Dec 5, 2023SuspensionElectrical system

This car has a recall which put my child and others at risk. It also has a recall for excessive corrosion, which has made the suspension unrepairable. It only has 124K miles. I would like Hyundai to take the car from me and give me the remaining value so I can reimburse my child, who had to buy a car that was safe to drive.

NHTSA ODI 11558659

Nov 29, 2023Service Brakes, Air

I received a recall notice in October for my 2012 Hyundai Accent. According to the recall, my car is safe to drive but should not be parked in my garage or near my home due to fire risk. The letter said a remedy would be available as of 11/21. It is now 11/29 and there's still no remedy available. Because I'm in upstate NY, the temperature has plummeted and my car is having a harder time starting in the morning since I can't park it in our garage. I'm putting in a complaint due to the fact that the manufacturer has failed to remedy this safety recall in a timely manner.

NHTSA ODI 11557483

Nov 22, 2023Brakes

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Accent. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11556513

Nov 14, 2023Engine & coolingEngine

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil with the oil warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

NHTSA ODI 11555049

Nov 14, 2023Brakes

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Accent. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were 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. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11555090

Oct 13, 2023Engine

Purchased in January 2023 with 99k miles. Performed oil change on day 1. Checked fluid levels every 1500 miles, noticed oil was low, ( no smoking, no burning oil smell, no idea where oil was going?) began adding oil, and checking every 500 miles. Always about 1/4 quart low. Changed oil, and filter every 3000 miles. At approximately 119k, started hearing a small ticking sound, was told to use better gas, so began using premium gas. Didn't change the ticking. At 120k tick became a loud knock, after new oil/filter change (I changed oil early at approximately 1800 miles to try to alleviate tick. Decided to drive to mechanic shop when engine light came on and showed knock sensor code. I bought a knock sensor and replaced old one. Shop says rod bearing is causing to noise, and asked to see old oil which I keep in new oil containers.after I change, to dispose of at auto store. Bottom of oil containers was full of fine metal. Tell me the engine might have recall. However 2012 accent 1.6 gdi I not on recall, but 2012 veloster is, among others that use the same engine. I believe the recall on other vehicles is due to exactly what's happed to mine. Why is the 2012 accent gs not included in the recalls for engine replacement? I've emailed huyndia of America, and they say I am responsible for fixing the engine? I feel no amount of maintenance would have kept this from happening. I've thought maybe if check engine light had come on when ticking first started I could have taken car to dealer and that tick might not have became rod bearing clanking, and knocking? Please help to add 2012 accent to recall. Ive read many other stories describing the same problem. Thank you

NHTSA ODI 11549718

Sep 29, 2023Wheels

This car has lost air in the tires even after installing new tires . The rims are rusting through on the backside . The check tire light has come on about every 1 1/2 months . I finally found out why the other day . A tire finally went flat setting with out use . This time when I stuck it in the dunk tank I was able to see tiny bubbles on the back side of the rim. I also noted significate rust. This is a dangerous situation with all the wheels. When wire brushing the wheel to apply Epoxy the hole opened up and immediately deflated. After cleaning the wheel I applied Epoxy but it is only a temporary fix as it needs all the wheels replaced. I am [XXX] and have owned a lot of cars and this is the first I have seen wheels rust through. I have a 48 Willys jeep with original wheels and it has been outside all its life and the wheels are still good. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11547245

Feb 11, 2023

I was not in an accident

NHTSA ODI 11506800

Jan 6, 2023Speed control

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the contact felt the vehicle accelerating while depressing the brake pedal. The contact made it to the residence safely; however, after shifting into park, the engine was still revving. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic who determined that the accelerator pedal was stuck. The accelerator assembly was replaced. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that there was no recall associated with the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 90,000.

NHTSA ODI 11500506

Dec 28, 2022Body & structure

Paint flacking off hood in large pieces

NHTSA ODI 11499119

Dec 28, 2022Engine

Loud ticking and engine knocking. Car starts to stall and overheat, car does not shift properly. Was told it was failing coils. Replaced all coils and spark plugs, this remedied the flashing ck engine light. Check engine light still on and still says the coil is not responding. Tech says it is a stuck lifter but can't be manually unstuck. Road hazard is car will stall and engine will fail without warning. Car has received regular oil change maintenance.

NHTSA ODI 11499286

Jul 26, 2022SteeringEngine

When the car stops at a stop sign or traffic light the engine sometimes stalls and the engine and EPS warning light turn on. Also sometimes when trying to accelerate, acceleration is not possible, especially on the highway. This is a major safety risk of rear-end accidents.

NHTSA ODI 11475901

Jul 2, 2022BrakesEngineFuel system

Car turns off while driving continuesly misfires even after replacing coils and spark plugs check engine light on and flashes car charger port keeps blowing fuses

NHTSA ODI 11472083

Jul 1, 2022Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that after receiving an oil change on the vehicle and driving approximately 20 MPH, there was a knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that there was a metal-on-metal sound. There was an air temperature sensor warning light illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic with an oil control valve failure. The oil control valve was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 116,000.

NHTSA ODI 11471992

Jun 21, 2022Electrical systemEngineFuel systemFire

Driving down the highway car caught fire

NHTSA ODI 11470314

Jun 15, 2022Engine

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the transmission filter, the transmission, and the spark plugs were replaced and other unknown repairs were completed; however, the failure reoccurred increasingly while driving. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence several times. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, he saw smoke coming through the A/C vents and from underneath the hood of the vehicle. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000. The consumer stated smoking in the dash, under the hood, and the back end of the vehicle, and all codes failure.

NHTSA ODI 11469467

Mar 10, 2022Service Brakes, Air

While stoped at a stop light there was A loud bang and a loud grinding sound. It turns out the break calipers and pads exploded and failed. Had to replace rear pads caliper and rotor.

NHTSA ODI 11456215

Jan 9, 2022WheelsBrakes

Rear wheels make squeaking noises and steel wheel is to hot to touch and breaks smell like they are burning

NHTSA ODI 11446799

Dec 27, 2021Steering

The electric power steering (EPS) system in my Hyundai Accent 2012 5-door hatchback intermittently stops and starts working, and when it does not work, a dashboard red EPS light comes on. This problem has been occurring on and off for a few months now. When the system is not working, the car becomes very difficult to steer, especially at slow speeds. The problem seems to occur more frequently in cold weather at start up, occasionally occurs in warmer weather, and often resolves itself after driving the vehicle for awhile, but sometimes starts while driving. Because the problem is intermittent and the strength needed to steer at slow speeds is significant, there is a safety risk. Because the problem is intermittent, it has not been reproduced by a dealer or service center. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer but I plan to have them do this when I take the car in for other recall work. This problem sounds very similar to the one triggering a recall in Hyundai Elantra vehicles in 2015 (recall number 127). I see from online reports that other Hyundai Accent owners and owners of other Hyundai vehicles reporting similar issues and I wonder whether Hyundai should be required to recall all vehicles with similar EPS systems to fix this issue. Thank you for reviewing this report.

NHTSA ODI 11445038

Aug 30, 2021

2012 HYUNDAI ACCENT. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHEN PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO PERFORM REPAIRS RELATED TO SAFETY RECALL.

NHTSA ODI 11431021

Jul 18, 2021Engine

Cam shaft split System emission failure . Lighter socket not working. Valvolibe oil change 7/16/21 Mail recall. Recieved 7/1721 Vehichle loud sound. .acceleration not speeding . car. Not drivable.

NHTSA ODI 11425306

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Working with the data? Download all 152 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 25, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2012 Hyundai Accent 5 verdict →