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2018 Hyundai Accent 5
Solid pick. The public record on this car is clean for its age. Inspect it, then negotiate with confidence.
19 owner complaints · 1 recalls · data verified July 25, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Why buy?
Very few owner complaints for its age and sales volume.
Score breakdown, by factor
Full methodology →#86 of 555Among the 2018 models with a matured record, the 2018 Hyundai Accent 5 ranks #86, scoring higher than 81% of them. See the 2018 ranking →
Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
NHTSA crash-tested this model year but didn’t publish an overall star rating for it.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2018 Hyundai Accent 5, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Engine (8)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint. Treat them as a rough guide.
Engine
42%8 complaints · 4 in the last 2 years
“EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION = ENGINE FAILURE + NO WARRANTY HONORER”
Electrical system
16%3 complaints
“I'VE HAD MY CAR FOR LESS THAN 2 YEARS AND THE BATTERY COMPLETELY DRAINED/DEAD. HYUNDAI REFUSES TO COVER IT UNDER THE 3 YEAR WARRANTY DUE TO MY CAR HAVING OVER 36K MILE…”
Brakes
11%2 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“The break light came on. The local garage says I need a new master cylinder, and the dealer I purchesed the car from will not verify an extended warantee item or silen…”
Body & structure
11%2 complaints
“RECIBI RECALL DE SEGURIDAD HYNDAI ACCENT 2018 INDICANDO QUE LA CERRADURA DEL BAUL NO FUNCIONE CORRECTAMENTE. This could cause the trunk to open on its own or not want …”
Check it against this car’s mileage
Type the odometer reading on the actual car you’re looking at to see which of these problem areas owners tend to report before it, around it, or after it.
Too few owners named a mileage on this model to place issues against an odometer yet.
Read all 19 owner complaints in their own words → · just the 4 crash/fire/injury reports →
Recalls (1)
Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.
Latches/locks/linkages · 21V619000
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."
Risk: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Questions to ask the seller
Questions worth asking the seller of this Hyundai before you buy, drawn from its public record:
- NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2018 Hyundai Accent 5. Can you run this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and confirm each one shows "Remedy Completed"?
- Owners of this model report engine problems more than anything else. Has this car shown any engine symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Has this car been in any accident or had any structural, airbag, or flood-related repair? Do you have a clean title and a recent history report (Carfax / AutoCheck)?
- How many owners has it had, do you have the maintenance records, and why are you selling it?
- Are you open to me having an independent mechanic inspect it before we settle on a price?
Before you hand over money
Check the VIN for open recalls
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2018 Hyundai ACCENT 5 beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2018? See how every Accent 5 model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2018 Hyundai Accent 5 against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.