What 93 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Hyundai Accent 5

The air bag warning light comes on frequently while I am driving and the passenger side air bag does not always turn off when there is not a passenger sitting in the passenger seat like it should. It is to the point where I am afraid to drive my car after spending a ridiculous amount of money on our family car. Please help us. Thank you in advance.

NHTSA ODI 11478342

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated she noticed a knocking sound in the engine. She checked the oil level and noticed that the oil level was low. The contact was able to top off the oil. Several years later the check engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that fuel was mixing with the engine oil. The upstream sensor was replaced. The mechanic also stated that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was not replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the VIN was not under recall for the failure. The failure mileage was 93,000.

NHTSA ODI 11472323

My steering wheel column was replaced 4 months ago because it was shorting itself - steering froze up while driving - I was unable to steer vehicle in any way - after total replacement I am having issues with dash board lights flashing on off - MPH states that I’m driving at 0 miles per hour and steering wheel froze up for a moment. SAME as before.

NHTSA ODI 11461807

Since I’ve had this car, there has been an issue with the airbag light appearing on the dash and the light that illuminates the passenger airbag isn’t lit during this time. It seems to be caused by the use of the passenger door. Sometimes it works as it should and other times it doesn’t. Dealership won’t do anything about it because there is no code. So if someone sits in the seat, I won’t know if they are safe or not in an accident. This is a safety issue and should be fixed.

NHTSA ODI 11459777

2016 Hyundai Accent only has approximately 132,000 miles and needs a new engine. Three different mechanic shops (one being a Hyundai dealership) looked at the vehicle and determined that it needed a new engine due to engine knock in lower end of engine. Car was well maintained and serviced regularly. Engine light came on intermittently but never stayed on to get a code. In early January 2022, engine started to have a loud knock and then codes were P0011, P0014, and P0420. Bank 1 problem, Bank 2 problem, and possible exhaust leak. Decided to change VVT (or oil control valve) and the old one had silver shavings on it (probably aluminum). Shavings possibly from piston slapping and causing wear or camshaft bearing wearing. After reading online I have seen that this has been a common problem with the Hyundai vehicles between years 2015-2017 but the Accent is not on the recall list yet.

NHTSA ODI 11453941

Dashboard light for passenger side airbag goes on/off randomly. Took to Coastal Hyundai 4/8/18 they verified code but found no problem. They just cleared the code. 7/15/21 same problem. Took to Wallace Hyundai in Stuart Fl. Was told passenger seat needs to be replaced for a couple thousand dollars but would check if corporate would pay a portion. Followed up but never heard back. I heard there was a recall on this but when I enter VIN it states no recall. This is a safety issue when I have passengers. The vehicle was still under warranty when I first had the problem and don't feel I should have to pay anything.

NHTSA ODI 11449348

I Dont no why but my Engine will randomly stall out even in the middle of making a.left or a right-hand turn and it's scary when I a.m. at an intersection intersection and I doll out then I have to shut my car off completely turn it back on and pump the gas. Till it starts . few days later my warning lights came on the meters and lights shot up quick and. Then the car shut down I was so freaked out my husband took it to the dealer ship they stated it was. A tire valve sensor they claimed to have checked all the fluids which i no was not the oil was burnt when i got out and checked old oil they want me to pay before they can repair but tire valve is not the #1 because i had another shop change. Out the stem these random occurrences happen today and warning lights still on. I read these sensor àre covered upto 100,000 miles.

NHTSA ODI 11447692

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Accent. The contact’s son stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the engine started knocking. The contact pulled over and refilled the engine with oil and was able to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing the engine replaced. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 133,348.

NHTSA ODI 11446321

Steering froze up while driving - was unable to turn car more than a few inches with great difficulty

NHTSA ODI 11440432

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ESP warning light suddenly illuminated and moments later the steering wheel could not be turned in either direction. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the steering rack and pinion had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000. Dealer admitted and wrote car was a factory defect.*JB

NHTSA ODI 11430494

Third brake light was smoking inside car. Pulled over and opened trunk to discover a melted bulb, socket and housing to the whole assembly. Contacted Hyundai USA and have not received a reply. Could have become a dangerous situation.

NHTSA ODI 11427173

Electrical issues horn doesnt work nor does the speedometer ..

NHTSA ODI 11426892

When driving the car, the ABS light, emergency brake light, and traction control light will come on. When these come on the speedometer ALWAYS quits working. Sometimes turning off the car will solve the problem but other times it won't do anything. Dealership has not been able to fix it. Other people have had the same problem with the Hyundai Accent. There are forums about it if you just look them up. Definitely a problem that needs to get fixed that seems to not be able to get fixed.

NHTSA ODI 11426552

The horn just stopped working out of nowhere, but it’s not the fuses, it’s the actual horn

NHTSA ODI 11423375

I'M NOT SURE.*DT*JB

NHTSA ODI 11405316

ME AND MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY TOWARDS SAN ANTONIO FOR NEW YEAR'S. WE WERE ABOUT 130 MILES OUT WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT STARTED BLANKING ON AND OFF. THE CAR STARTED TO SLOW DOWN SO WE PULLED OVER TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. WE OPEN THE FRONT HOOD OF THE CAR AND THE ENGINE WAS REALLY HOT. SO WE TOOK IT TO A TECHNICIAN WE KNOW AND HAD HIM TO WORK ON THE CAR. AFTER HE RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE ENGINE I FOUND OUT THAT WE EITHER NEED A NEW MOTOR OR WE WOULD HAVE TO GET A NEW CAR. FROM MY KNOWLEDGE ONE OF THE SPARRPLUGS WAS NOT CONNECTING SO IT WAS CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVER HEAR. SO AT SOME POINT THE ENGINE WAS GOING TO BURN OUT. WE SAW SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE. WHICH REMINDS ME OF WHEN WE FIRST GOT THE CAR. THE CAR CUT OFF BECAUSE THE ENGINE GOT TO HOT AND STARTED BURNING. *LN*JB

NHTSA ODI 11389235

WAS DRIVING THE CAR 10-15 MILES FROM HOME. ENGINE STARTED SMOKING. PULLED OFF AND LET THE CAR COOL DOWN. I LIVE IN AZ; IT'S 80 DEGREES OR SO NOW. STARTED CAR AND DROVE HOME. CAR STARTED SMOKING AGAIN AND SHUT DOWN. CALLED LOCAL ROADSIDE MECHANIC FOR HYUNDAI'S. HE LOOKED AT IT AND SAID, IT WAS LEAKING, FAN FROZEN, BROKEN GASKET. HAD THE CAR TOWED HOME. IT'S A 2016. I BOUGHT IT IN JAN 2018 FROM A DEALER IN POCATELLO, IDAHO. IT'S ONLY 4 YEARS OLD, LESS THAN 62000 MILES. IT SHOULDN'T HAVE MOTOR PROBLEMS/ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI 11372306

RANDOMLY THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL MALFUNCTION. THE ABS, AIRBAG, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE, THE SPEEDOMETER WITH DROP TO ZERO, AND THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATOR FLUCTUATES WILDLY. THIS CAN OCCUR WHILE PARKED OR WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING RANDOMLY FOR OVER A YEAR. DUE TO THE UNPREDICTABILITY IT HAS BEEN DIFFICULT IN HAVING THIS OCCUR IN THE PRESENCE OF A MECHANIC. I HAVE FOUND MANY POSTS ONLINE OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS YET A RECALL HAS NEVER BEEN ISSUED. A MALFUNCTIONING INSTRUMENT PANEL SEEMS LIKE A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RISK. I SUBMITTED A COMPLAINT A YEAR AGO BUT NOTHING EVER CAME OF IT.

NHTSA ODI 11344132

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI ACCENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL CEASED WITH THE STEERING FAULT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO WEBB HYUNDAI MERRILLVILLE (1000 81ST AVE, MERRILLVILLE, IN 46410) HOWEVER, WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.

NHTSA ODI 11339684

FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS THE AIR BAG SENSOR KEEPS COMING ON. MOST RECENT IS THE LAST FEW DAYS. IT'S STAYING ON, NOT GONE OFF. SECOND TIME IT CAME ON, EARLY 2019, I TOOK TO DEALER. THAT DAY IT HAD GONE OFF BUT THEY SAID THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC AND NOTHING WAS WRONG. YET AGAIN IT'S ON SINCE JULY 7TH. EVERY TIME WHEN STARTED THE VEHICLE, LIGHTS ON DASH CAME ON BUT AIRBAG LIGHT NEVER GOES OFF. I'VE BEEN DRIVING AROUND WITH IT ON FOR 3 DAYS..

NHTSA ODI 11338469

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON & FOUND THE ENGINE CLOGGED UP WITH A LOT OF CRUD. OIL LOOKED LIKE IT HAD CAME OUT OF A 1960'S VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11330381

FRIDAY JUNE 5,2020 I FAINTED BEHIND THE WHEEL AND REAR ENDED ANOTHER DRIVER AND MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHICH RESULTED IN AN SLIGHT HEAD INJURY

NHTSA ODI 11327650

WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY, THE ICONS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FLASH, THE SPEEDOMETER DROP TO ZERO AND THEN REBOUNDS AND THE TRIP MILEAGE COUNTER CHANGES TO ZERO MILES TRAVELED. IT'S HAPPENED TWICE IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11324981

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI ACCENT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HER DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 45 MPH, SHE BECAME AWARE THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT HEADLAMP WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL AUTOZONE WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE WITH THE HEADLAMP. MURFREESBORO HYUNDAI (2203 NW BROAD ST SUITE HYUNDAI, MURFREESBORO, TN 37129), WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE AND MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,979.

NHTSA ODI 11320348

MOST DAYS OF THE WEEK, UPON START UP, I GET 3 LIGHTS THAT COME ON AND MOST OF THE TIME DO NOT GO OFF, THE 3 LIGHTS ARE: BRAKE LIGHT, ABS LIGHT, AND TRACTION CONTROL. WHEN THEN CAR IS IN MOTION, THE SPEEDOMETER DOESN'T MOVE AND MY GAS GAUGE WILL CHANGE NUMBERS WHILE IN MOTION. IN MOTION, I FEEL LIKE THE BRAKES ARE TOUCHY BUT I DON'T FEEL THE BRAKES GRIPPING LIKE THE LIGHTS SHOWN AND DON'T FEEL ANY DIFFERENCE IN SPEED OR GEAR SWITCHING.

NHTSA ODI 11319909