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 6 of 7

Jul 17, 2014Electrical systemEngine

AFTER PULLING OUT FROM A STOP VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND WENT TO AN IDLE MODE, OIL LIGHT AND BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED BUT NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED AND EVERYTHING WORKED FINE. VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM ABOUT 20 MINUTES LATER. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AND THE TECH EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM DURING TEST DRIVE. VEHICLE DID NOT STORE A DTC ERROR CODE TO DEALERSHIP CALLED TECH LINE WHO ADVISED TO REMOVE AND CLEAN THROTTLE BODY. VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FOR 1 1/2 DAYS FOLLOWING REPAIR. TODAY WHILE STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED, OIL LIGHT CAME ON, BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE WENT TO IDLE MODE. VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT RESTART. HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10611389

Jun 22, 2014SteeringSpeed controlBrakesCrash

WE PURCHASED A 2012 HYUNDAI ACCENT ON OCTOBER 19, 2011. FROM THE VERY FIRST DAY WE STARTED HAVING ISSUES WHERE THE BRAKES WOULD NOT BRAKE AT TIMES AND WOULD HAVE BOUTS OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. FROM THE FIRST DAY OF PURCHASE WE ADVISED THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AND EVEN BROUGHT IN OUR VEHICLE TO BE LOOKED AT. THEY REFUSED TO DO ANY KIND OF DIAGNOSTIC AND SAID THAT I WAS BEING A PARANOID WOMAN AND NEW MOMS TEND TO WORRY TOO MUCH. MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE BOTH DRIVEN THIS VEHICLE AND EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE. WE ADVISED HYUNDAI, THE DEALERSHIP AND OUR INSURANCE COMPANY OF THE ISSUE. EACH TIME WE BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP THE ACTED VERY CAVALIER AS IT WAS "NOT A BIG DEAL" AND WOULD SEND US ON OUR WAY. WE HAD VARIOUS COMMUNICATIONS AND HAVE PAPERWORK WHERE THE DEALERSHIP NOTED WE WERE COMPLAINING OF THE BRAKES NOT WORKING AND THEN THEY WOULD STATE THEY DID NOT/WILL NOT DO A DIAGNOSTIC. I WOULD NOT ALLOW MY CHILDREN TO RIDE IN THIS VEHICLE FURTHER AS IT BECAME APPARENT THAT THIS WAS NOT ONLY GOING TO KEEP HAPPENING BUT AS TIME PASSED IT HAPPENED MORE FREQUENTLY AND CAUSED ME TO FEAR FOR MY LIFE. IN DECEMBER 2013 I ADVISED MY HUSBAND I FEARED FOR MY LIFE. ONE WEEK LATER 12/16/13 I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE I WAS SLOWLY TURNING, WENT TO BRAKE AND THE BRAKES FELT EMPTY AS THEY DID WHEN THIS WOULD HAPPEN AND THE CAR REVVED LOUDLY AND ACCELERATED AT AN EXTREME SPEED. THESE BOUTS OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ARE DOCUMENTED YET HYUNDAI AND THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP WILL NOT RESPOND APPROPRIATELY,. THEY DISMISSED MY CLAIM STATING OUR FLOOR MAT PROTECTOR WHICH LAYS FLAT AND HAS PLENTY OF CLEARANCE IS THE CAUSE HOWEVER I MUST ADVISE AND HAVE RESPONDED THAT THE FLOOR MAT PROTECTORS WERE NOT PURCHASED UNTIL THE FOLLOWING YEAR AND DID NOT GET PUT INTO THE VEHICLE UNTIL JULY OF 2013 SO THE DOCUMENTED INCIDENTS WERE MOSTLY BEFORE AND ONE IN JULY 2013 AFTER THEY HAD BEEN PLACED IN THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10605008

Jun 1, 2014Brakes

OCCASIONALLY OVER A FEW WEEK PERIOD I HEARD A NOISE LIKE SOMETHING NEEDED TO BE GREASED BUT COULD NO LOCATE AND CHECKED ENGINE BELTS WHICH SEEMED ALRIGHT. I DROVE THE CAR AND IT SEEMED TO BE DRAGGING WHILE MAINTAINING SPEED AND SLOWING DOWN QUICKLY DURING DECELERATION. I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION AND WALKED AROUND THE CAR. THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE AND HUB WERE SMOKING HOT. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY DID SOME KIND OF REPAIR FOR $ WITH A $10..00 PART CALLED A PKBRAKE KIT. THEY HAVE NOT PROVIDED ME WITH AN ITEMIZED BILL AND DESCRIPTION OF THE WORK PERFORMED ON MY VEHICLE WHICH I HAVE REQUESTED. THE MULTIPOINT INSPECTION PERFORMED BY DEALER STATES ADDITIONAL WORK MAY BE NECESSARY ON THE BRAKES BUT WILL NOT INFORM ME WHAT SERVICE I NEED. I AM CONFUSED HOW THERE ARE 11 REPAIR BULLETINS FOR MY CAR AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT NEVER SAID ANYTHING TO ME OR FIXED ANYTHING. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10595407

May 4, 2014SteeringWheelsBrakes

I WAS TRAVELING HOME FROM THE STORE MAY 3RD 2014 AND CAME INTO A CURVE ON ROUTE 20 BETWEEN PRINCETON AND ATHENS W.V.. THE CURVE WAS TO THE RIGHT IN A LOW BUT STEEP BANK AT 40 MPH AND THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL CALIPER GRABBED CAUSING IMMEDIATE LOSS OF SPEED AND CAUSED MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL BUT REGAINED AS SOON AS THE CALIPER RELEASED WHICH WAS IN APPROXIMATELY TWO SECONDS. FORTUNATELY NO ONCOMING TRAFFIC WAS AROUND OR IT COULD HAVE BEEN MESSY. THE WHEEL WAS FEELING SLUGGISH AFTER THE INCIDENT AND I'M NO LONGER HAPPY WITH THIS VEHICLE, IT IS TO DANGEROUS. THE SAME THING JUST HAPPENED AGAIN TODAY MAY 4TH 2014. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10586425

Apr 13, 2014

I WAS WASHING MY 2012 ACCENT IN MAY OF 2013 AND I NOTICED WHAT I THOUGHT TO BE DIRT ABOVE THE HATCHBACK WINDOW. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION I NOTICED THAT IT WAS A RUST SPOT COMING UP FROM UNDER THE PAINT AND CLEAR COAT. THERE WAS ONLY A SPOT ABOUT THE SIZE OF A NUMBER TWO PENCIL POINT. AS OF TODAY( 4-13-14) THERE ARE FIVE SPOTS OF RUST COMING UP ALL OF VARIOUS SIZE AND NOW I FOUND ONE ON MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR. HAS ANYONE ELSE REPORTED RUST COMING FROM UNDER THE PAINT ? WHICH TO ME MEANS THE RECYCLED METAL WHEN SMELTED DID NOT REMOVE THE RUST DURING THE PROCESS. *JS

NHTSA ODI 10579462

Apr 13, 2014SteeringSuspensionBrakes

I HAVE CONTINUED TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM, STEERING AND SUSPENSION WHICH STARTED WHEN I WAS COMING HOME FROM PICKING MY SON UP FROM SCHOOL DEC. 21 2012. THERE WAS SNOW ON THE ROAD AND I TRIED TO SLOW DOWN GOING DOWN AN INCLINE BUT THE BRAKES CAUSED THE CAR TO JUMP, THE STEERING WOULD NOT RESPOND FAST ENOUGH AND THE SUSPENSION FELT LIKE WE WERE RIDING ON METAL RIMS. I ALMOST HIT A TELEPHONE POLE BUT WE SLOWED IN THE SOFTER SNOW WHICH WASN'T BEAT DOWN YET. EVER SINCE THEN WHEN THERE IS SNOW OR ICY ROADS ESPECIALLY UP HERE IN THE MOUNTAINS OF WEST VIRGINIA I TEST THE BRAKES, STEERING AND SUSPENSION ON THE ROAD I LIVE ON BEFORE GOING ON THE HIGHWAY. OH, I FORGOT TO MENTION THAT IF YOU SHOULD BE UNFORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HIT A POTHOLE IT DOES THROUGH THE CAR TO THE RIGHT IF YOUR RIGHT FRONT WHEEL CATCHES IT AND IF YOUR LEFT FRONT WHEEL CATCHES ONE IT WILL PUT YOU INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ME SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE PAST YEARS. *JS

NHTSA ODI 10579465

Feb 6, 2014Steering

HELLO MY NAME IS[XXX], I HAVE 2012 HYUNDAI ACCENT AND THE STEERING ON THIS CAR IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUSLY STUPID AND LAME AND FRUSTRATING. WHEN YOU DRIVE THIS CAR ON THE FREEWAY YOU GOTTA CONSTANTLY KEEP TURNING THE WHEEL LEFT AND RIGHT TO KEEP THE CAR RUNNING STRAIGHT. I HAVE READ SOMEWHERE THAT THIS CAR IS WITH ELECTRIC STEERING OR SOMETHING... I'M NOT FAMILIAR BUT THERE IS SOME KIND OF PROBLEM. I HAVE READ IN THE FORUMS THAT IT COULD BE STEERING COLUMNS... BUT I THINK HYUNDAI SUPPOSE TO COME OUT WITH A RECALL. I HAVE CALLED THEM LIKE 5 MONTH'S AGO I EXPLAINED TO THEM THE WHOLE SITUATION THEY SAID THAT THEY GONNA GIVE ME A CALL BUT THEY NEVER DID. SO PLEASE HELP ME BECAUSE THIS CAR DRIVES ME CRAZY! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI 10563233

Jan 30, 2014Brakes

MY BRAKES HAD BEEN MAKING A NOISE. NOT REALLY LOUD BUT A SLIGHT GRIND. I WAS TOLD I NEEDED BRAKE PADS. I WAS GOING TO GET THEM DURING THE WEEKEND. I CAME TO A STOP AT LIGHT AND HEARD A POPPING/BANGING NOISE. I THEN COULD NOT MOVE. MY CAR WAS LOCKED UP. MY FATHER LOOKED AND THOUGHT IT WAS MAYBE EBRAKE SO WE LOADED ON TRAILER AND BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP. IT WAS THE CALIPER, THE PISTON SHOT OFF AND LOCKED UP WHEEL. THE DEALER SAID HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT BUT UNFORTUNATELY IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE READ SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE BRAKES...I REALIZE I HAVE HIGH MILEAGE BUT I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO DEALER TWO TIMES DUE TO ISSUES WITH BRAKES - FIRST TIME I WAS TOLD IT WAS FINE, SECOND TIME I WAS TOLD PADS LOW. ???? *TR

NHTSA ODI 10562246

Dec 31, 2013Brakes

I AM A VERY CAUTIOUS DRIVER WHO IS VERY EASY ON MY BRAKES, TO PREVENT WEAR. I COULD NOT STOP IN TIME WHEN A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME SUDDENLY STOPPED AND HAD TO TURN, EVEN THOUGH I HAD PLENTY OF SPACE TO STOP, I HAD TO SWERVE IN FRONT OF ANOTHER VEHICLE BECAUSE MY BRAKES ARE WORN DOWN AT 17K MILES??? SOMETHING IS OBVIOUSLY WRONG WITH THE BRAKES IN A 2012 HYUNDAI ACCENT. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL. EVEN IF I FLOOR THE BRAKE PEDAL I DON'T STOP AND HEAR GRINDING NOISES. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10558041

Dec 3, 2013Electrical systemLights

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD DURING THE DAY AND LOOKED DOWN AND MY HIGH BEAMS WERE ON. I WASN'T SURE WHY SINCE MY LIGHTS WERE IN THE OFF POSITION. I TRIED PLAYING WITH THE LIGHTING SWITCH ON THE INSIDE OF MY CAR, AND IT FINALLY TURNED OFF AFTER FLASHING THE HIGH BEAMS ON AND OFF WITH THE SWITCH A FEW TIMES. I TOOK A PICTURE, AND THEN STARTED DRIVING, ABOUT A MILE OR SO DOWN THE ROAD, THE HIGH BEAMS CAME BACK ON, SO I HEADED TOWARD THE DEALERSHIP, AND PEOPLE WERE MOVING OUT OF MY WAY ON THE TWO LANE HIGHWAY SINCE MY HIGH BEAMS WERE ON. THE SAID WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE, THEY COULDN'T BE SURE WHY IT HAPPENED. WHEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN, I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH IT HAPPENING AND THEY PLAYED WITH THE SWITCH TO GET THEM TO SHUT OFF AND TOLD ME I HAD NO CLUE HOW TO WORK MY LIGHTS, THAT MY DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS WERE ON, AND WHEN I INFORMED HIM MY CAR DIDN'T HAVE THEM, HE DIDN'T BELIEVE ME. I KEPT GOING BACK AND EVEN HAD MY LAWYER GET INVOLVED SINCE THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. THERE WERE EVEN TIMES WHEN I STARTED MY CAR WITH THE REMOTE START AND THE HIGH BEAMS CAME ON THEMSELVES, AND I DROVE ALL THE WAY HOME WITH NO OTHER EXTERIOR LIGHTS ON SINCE I HADN'T REALIZED THE LIGHTS WEREN'T ON, SINCE THE HEADLIGHTS HAD BEEN ON. FINALLY WENT TO A SHOP THAT THEY WORK HAND IN HAND WITH TO INSTALL REMOTE STARTERS AND REMOTE DOOR UNLOCKS, AND THEY HAD TO CALL THE DEALERSHIP TO TELL THEM THAT THE LIGHTING SWITCH WAS BAD. BEFORE THEY WERE CALLED, THEY TOLD MY LAWYER I PAID BOTTOM DOLLAR FOR MY CAR AND I MIGHT AS WELL SUBMIT A LEMON LAW REQUEST, BUT THEY WERE NOT GOING TO FIX IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10554574

Aug 1, 2013AirbagsCrash

I WAS IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH A VEHICLE WHERE I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THERE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THE INCIDENT WHICH CAUSED ME TO BANG MY HEAD AGAINST THE SUN VISOR/ ROOF OF THE CAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10533023

Jul 23, 2013TiresWheels

3 OUT 4 OF THE STOCK KUMHO TIRES HAVE NOW DEVELOPED BUBBLES IN THE SIDE WALLS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10526303

May 6, 2013AirbagsCrash1 injury

I HIT AN ELK AT ABOUT 60 MILES PER HOUR. FRONT END OF CAR TOTALED. BUMPER, HEADLIGHTS AND FOG LIGHTS RIPPED OFF. HOOD CRUMBLED UPWARDS. PIECES UNDER THE HOOD DISLOCATED. WINDSHIELD SCATTERED AND PARTIALLY DISCONNECTED. HOWEVER DRIVER'S AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOYED. I WALKED AWAY WITH MINOR INJURIES, BODY SORENESS. BUT CONCERNED THAT THE CAR MIGHT NOT PERFORMED AS IT SHOULD IN THIS SITUATION ONE MORE DETAIL. I WAS TRAVELING ALONE, NO PASSENGER. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10510881

Apr 20, 2013AirbagsCrash1 injury

AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THIS IS THE SECOND CAR AND THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED.

NHTSA ODI 10512143

Mar 16, 2013Tires

DRIVING THE CAR FOR ABOUT 9000 MILES, THE TIRES CANNOT BE USED. I BOUGHT THE HYUNDAI ACCENT 2012 LESS THAN A YEAR AND ALL TIRES ARE GONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10503291

Feb 13, 2013Brakes

2012 HYUNDAI ACCENT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FAULTY BRAKE CALIPERS AND SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. *SMD IN OCTOBER 2012, A SERVICE REPAIR SHOP, INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE PAD WAS COMPLETELY WORN OUT AND THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE TURNED. THE LEFT REAR CALIPER HAD NOT STUCK AND THE BRAKE PAD STILL HAD LOTS OF WEAR LEFT ON IT. THE NEXT DAY, THE CONSUMER WENT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER T HE REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, BECAUSE THE RIGHT REAR CALIPER SLIDE HAD BECOME DIRTY AND WAS STUCK, THUS CAUSING THE SERVICE PROBLEM. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE AIR, THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE ALUMINUM PAD DEPTH INDICATOR CLIP WAS BROKEN ALSO. IF THAT HAD BEEN WORKING, THE PROBLEM WOULD HAVE BEEN CAUGHT SOONER. THE CONSUMER WENT BACK TO THE LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, AND THE REFUSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY WERE ADAMANT THE CALIPER ISSUE WAS HYUNDAI'S RESPONSIBILITY AND UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONSUMER EVENTUALLY PAID TO HAVE THE PADS REPLACED AND THE ROTORS TURNED AT A COST OF $ 271.00. *JB

NHTSA ODI 10498681

Jan 8, 2013Tires

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ACCENT EQUIPPED WITH KUMHO ECSTA ASX TIRES, SIZE 195-50-R16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH OVER A RAILROAD TRACK, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE FAILED DUE TO BUBBLES EXHIBITED ON THE INSIDE WALL. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE REPLACEMENT TIRE ALSO FAILED WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH. THE REPLACEMENT TIRE, WHICH WAS ALSO A KUMHO TIRE OF THE SAME SIZE, FAILED DUE TO TREAD SEPARATION. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE DOT NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,000.

NHTSA ODI 10491811

Sep 14, 2012Tires

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ACCENT SE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH, HE DROVE INTO A POTHOLE WHICH CAUSED THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE TO BLOW. THE VEHICLE DID NOT COME EQUIPPED WITH A SPARE TIRE BUT RATHER A TIRE SEALANT. THE HOLE WAS TOO LARGE FOR THE SEALANT TO BE EFFECTIVE, LEAVING THE CONTACT STRANDED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 1,000.

NHTSA ODI 10475450

Aug 14, 2012Body & structure

THE METALLIC SILVER PAINT THAT THE COMPANY USED TO COVER THE BLACK PLASTIC HOUSING FOR THE WINDOW AND LOCK BUTTONS EASILY SCRATCHES AND SCRAPES OFF WITH "NORMAL" ROUTINE TOUCHING AND WITH "NORMAL" RESTING OF THE ARMS ON THESE AREA. THE COMPANY REP WON'T ADMIT THAT THEY USED CHEAP PAINT OR DIDN'T THINK ABOUT THESE "HIGH TRAFFIC" AREAS WHEN DECIDING TO USE INFERIOR NON-DURABLE PAINT ON THESE PARTS. I HAVE ONLY HAD MY CAR FOR 6 MONTHS AND THE DPSM FROM HYUNDAI (MARIETTA, GEORGIA - SOUTHERN HEADQUARTERS) IS NOT ACKNOWLEDGING THE BAD MANUFACTURING CHOICE OF USING THE SUBSTANDARD, NON-DURABLE COATING FOR THESE PARTS. THESE METALLIC PAINTED PARTS CANNOT WITHSTAND EVERYDAY "NORMAL" USE, AS THEY BECOME UNATTRACTIVE AND WORN IN A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. (WITHIN 6 MONTHS - IN MY CASE). *TR

NHTSA ODI 10470632

Aug 2, 2012Speed control

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

NHTSA ODI 10468999

May 19, 2012AirbagsBody & structure

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

NHTSA ODI 10458996

Apr 4, 2012Airbags

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 SAFETY HAZARD WITH THE AIR BAG NOT BEING OPERATIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,200. UPDATED 5/7/12 *CN UPDATED 05/30/12

NHTSA ODI 10454043

Mar 4, 2012Tires

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 NOW MAKES A SPARE FOR THE 2012 ELANTRA FOR A PRICE AND THE SPARE FOR THE ACCENT IS IN PROCESS,ONCE AGAIN FOR A PRICE. IT WILL BE AN OPTION . I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED MY AAA BECAUSE IF I GET A FLAT THEY WILL HAVE TO USE THE KIT OR TOW ME,FOR A PRICE , TO THE NEAREST DEALER. BETTER MILEAGE IS GREAT BUT SO ISN'T SAFETY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10450198

Feb 21, 2012Tires

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.

NHTSA ODI 10448780

Dec 28, 2011TiresWheels

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 THE VEHICLE ARE DISCONTINUED. I ASKED WHY THEY WERE DISCONTINUED AND GOT THE RUN AROUND.. I ASKED IF DEFECTIVE AND NO RESPONSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10441470

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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 →