Home · 2012 Hyundai Accent · Complaints

What 152 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Hyundai Accent

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)

12 of 152 complaints match · Fuel system · clear filters

Aug 14, 2024BrakesEngine & coolingFuel system

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was driven to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that gasoline was leaking from the fuel pump, and the fuel cap needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was driven to the dealer another time and was diagnosed, and it was determined that the exhaust pipes needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact researched and determined that the failure was due to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11608478

Jun 10, 2024Speed controlEngineFuel system

I am very unsatisfied with the fact that I have to get my oil changed 1 every month, due to burning oil as well as hard ride. My car will not pass inspection after 2024, due to emissions, I paid $600 to get a passed sticker and Sick of dumping money into this vehicle. there have been so many recalls on this car. What is Hyundai willing to do ? I’ve purchased this vehicle in 2013 from Brad Benson Hyundai on Route 1. Please get my car running normal again. I have most of my receipts for all repairs and maintenance. I have 150,000 miles on the vehicle. please help Valvoline informed me of Engine recall for my vehicle

NHTSA ODI 11593561

Apr 2, 2024SuspensionFuel system

The Scanning System will track this Mold. It can degrade and split. The gas tank is moldy and looks damp. It Can Cause Fire The Fuel Filler Tube Clamp This Mold Can Cause Fire

NHTSA ODI 11580801

Feb 1, 2024Electrical systemBrakesFuel system

Our 2012 Hyundai accent hatchback is not drivable at this time is is over at the service department through Ron Marhofer Hyundai of Green in Akron Ohio, it has not been repaired yet.. our vehicle was dropped off [XXX] and today of this letter it's [XXX] still No repair I am very upset because my wife is in stage 4 cancer and has to have treatments and now I am unable at this time to let her meet her medical needs.. I am so stressed about this mess the service manager is trying to provide us a loaner but we are waiting what I would like to happen if it cannot be repaired I would like a check for the difference so I can buy another vehicle like a buyback. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11569187

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

Jun 21, 2022Electrical systemEngineFuel systemFire

Driving down the highway car caught fire

NHTSA ODI 11470314

Feb 10, 2020AirbagsFuel system

THE RED AIR BAG LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON, AND THE PASSENGER SENSOR IS ALWAYS OFF EVEN WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER. I AM CONCERNED THAT IF I WERE TO BE IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY. THIS STARTED AT ABOUT 115,000 MILES. THE CAR ALSO RECENTLY STARTED TO EAT UP MY GAS FOR NO VALID REASON. I DROVE 1.5 MILES, YET USED UP 10 MILES OF GAS, ENTIRELY ABIDING BY TRAFFIC LAWS AND SIGNS.

NHTSA ODI 11308105

Jan 28, 2020Electrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel system

GOT CAR IN 2011 IN 2015 IT STOPPED WORKING AFTER MAKING LOUD NOISES THAT BEGAN WITH A CHIRP, FOUND OUT IT WAS ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY. HAD TO BORROW TO FIX IT IT WAS 700.00 +. 14 MONTHS LATER IT DID IT AGAIN, THE SHOP GUY WAS SO ANGRY HE CONTACTED HIS PARTS GUY AND GOT ANOTHER ALTERNATOR, I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO JOSEPH'S GARAGE AND THEY INSTALLED THE SECOND ALERNATOR! NOW ITS DOING IT AGAIN!!!! I CANNOT KEEP DOING THIS. GOING TO FTC, BBB, AND ATTORNEY GENERAL. ALSO FEDERAL CONSUMER PROTECTION.

NHTSA ODI 11302447

Apr 19, 2018Fuel system

CAR IS ACCELERATING BY ITSELF, AND CONTINUES TO INCREASE SPEED AFTER THE GAS PEDAL IS NO LONGER PRESSED. THIS OCCURS WHILE IN MOTION ON CITY STREETS, ON HIGHWAYS, AND WHEN TURNING. AND WHEN STATIONARY OR IN NEUTRAL THE RPMS WILL JUMP BY 1500 TO 2000 RPMS. IS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND THE RPMS JUMP UP 1500+ WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. STARTED HAPPENING AROUND 55,000 MILES DEALER RESET THE ECM WHICH RESOLVED THE ISSUE TEMPORARILY BUT CAME BACK WITHIN 2 WEEKS, CAR NOW HAS 61,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN GETTING WORSE.

NHTSA ODI 11088958

Oct 22, 2017Speed controlEngineFuel system

AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE AND TAPPING ON THE ACCELERATOR, THE CAR WILL ACCELERATE ON IT'S OWN AND REV UP TO 1,500-2000 RPM WITHOUT PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR. EVEN WHEN BRAKING. RETURNING THE CAR TO NEUTRAL CAUSES THE ENGINE TO REV UP TO OR BEYOND 2,000 RPM UNTIL THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TURNED OFF. THIS INCIDENT FIRST OCCURRED IN APRIL 2016. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE SENSORS BY THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. THE ISSUE RESURFACED AGAIN IN JANUARY 2017. THIS TIME THEY TOLD ME IT WAS DUE TO A CARBON BUILDUP IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. NOW IT'S DOING IT AGAIN. I HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER REPORTS OF THIS HAPPENING TO HYNDAI'S ON THE INTERNET. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11035520

Dec 27, 2015Electrical systemEngineFuel system

AROUND 50000 MILES THE CAR WOULD OVER REV ABOUT 1000-2000 RPM WHEN THE CLUTCH WAS RELEASED AND FOOT OFF OF THE GAS. IT HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE. NOW IT WILL ON ITS OWN WHILE STANDING AT IDLE RUN UP TO 5000-6000 RPM WITHOUT WARNING AND THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT IS TO TURN THE CAR OFF. WHEN IN GEAR, THE CAR WILL ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. IF YOU DEPRESS THE CLUTCH, AGAIN IT WILL RUN UP TO 5000-6000 RPM. THE PROBLEM BECOMES EXACERBATED IN WARMER WEATHER AND LESSENED IN COLD WEATHER. DURING THE 12/24 HEAT WAVE HERE IN PA, THE CAR WAS UNDRIVEABLE AND DANGEROUS AS I COULD NOT DEPEND ON IT NOT "TAKING OFF". THE DEALER UPDATED THE SOFTWARE ON 12/22 WHICH DID NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE, AND NO CODES WERE FOUND IN THE COMPUTER! BEFORE 50,000 MILES EVERYTHING WAS FINE.

NHTSA ODI 10816358

Aug 19, 2014Fuel systemElectrical systemEngine

7/15/2012, WHILE PULLING OFF FROM A STOP OIL AND BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND VEHICLE LOST POWER. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES LATER, VEHICLE EXPERIENCE SAME PROBLEM. SHUTTING VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTING CORRECTED INSTANT PROBLEM. NO FAULT CODES STORED. DEALERSHIP REMOVED, CLEANED AND RE-INSTALLED THROTTLE BODY AND SUGGESTED USING ONLY EXXON, MOBILE OR SHELL GASOLINE. 7/17/2014, WHILE SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT, OIL AND BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND VEHICLE STALLED. WOULD CRANK BUT NOT START. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. NO FAULT CODES STORED. DEALERSHIP REPLACED HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. 7/31/2014, PICKED UP VEHICLE FROM DEALERSHIP FOLLOWING FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT. DROVE VEHICLE 14 MILES, WHEN PULLING OFF FROM A STOP, OIL AND BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND VEHICLE STALLED. RESTARTED VEHICLE AND DROVE APPROXIMATELY 100 YARDS, OIL AND BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND VEHICLE STALLED. UPON RESTART VEHICLE WENT INTO "LIMP MODE". DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS BEING THE COMPUTER. 7/18/2014 DEALERSHIP CALLED AND ADVISED HYUNDAI TECH LINE DIRECTED REPLACEMENT OF TRANSMISSION RANGE SWITCH NOT COMPUTER. 8/15/2014, WHILE PULLING OFF FROM A STOP OIL AND BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND VEHICLE STALLED. RESTARTED VEHICLE AND TOOK TO DEALERSHIP. 8/16/2014, NO FAULT CODES STORED. DEALERSHIP ADVISED NOTHING WRONG WITH VEHICLE BUT WILL CONTINUE TO DRIVE. 8/18/2014, ABOUT 10 MILES FROM DEALERSHIP, WHILE PULLING OFF FROM A STOP OIL AND BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND VEHICLE LOST POWER. 8/19/2014, DEALERSHIP ADVISED NO FAULT CODES WERE STORED AND HYUNDAI TECH LINE ADVISED TO REPLACE LOW PASTURE FUEL PUMP, FUEL INJECTORS AND FUEL RAIL. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10626461

Working with the data? Download all 152 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 15, 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 verdict →