What are the most common problems with the 2012 Hyundai Accent?

The biggest complaint group is the engine, with 39 complaints. Brakes follow with 37 complaints, then the electrical system with 24.

Does the 2012 Hyundai Accent have any recalls?

Yes, this model year has recalls on file. The Recalls section on this page lists them.

How many complaints does the 2012 Hyundai Accent have?

NHTSA has 153 owner complaints on file. They are unverified reports from owners.

Is the 2012 Hyundai Accent reliable?

Complaints cover several areas, so look at the groups listed in the problems section. The safety section on this page adds crash test results.

What is the gas mileage of the 2012 Hyundai Accent?

See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.

2012 Hyundai Accent Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 153 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Hyundai Accent^[1]. The engine group is the biggest, with 39 complaints^[2].

153owner complaints^[1]

2recalls^[3]

31–32MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

4★NHTSA overall rating^[5]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups that owners filed with NHTSA, biggest first.

Engine. 39 complaints^[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe the engine revving by itself while parked, the car losing power when pulling away with warning lights on, and sudden slowing on the road.
Brakes. 37 complaints^[6]. Owners describe pads wearing out early, calipers that grab or stick, and grinding noises before a brake failure.
Electrical System. 24 complaints^[7]. Owners describe headlights switching on by themselves, trouble starting the car, and wiring damaged by animals.
Unknown Or Other. 19 complaints^[8]. These reports do not fit a single component group.
Speed Control. 18 complaints^[9]. Owners describe the car speeding up on its own and a throttle that sticks after the pedal is released. Some say the dealer could not repeat the problem.
Air Bags. 17 complaints^[10]. This group stands out for crashes, with 11 crashes named in these reports^[10].
Fuel/Propulsion System. 10 complaints^[11].
Steering. 9 complaints^[12].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2012 Accent is necessarily included.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module (23V651), September 2023. About 1,649,478 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Equipment › Electrical (20V393), July 2020. About 272,126 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Accent, 1.6L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[15]	28 / 37 / 31	$2,150
Accent, 1.6L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[4]	28 / 37 / 32	$2,100

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
4 DR FWD^[5]	4	4	4	4	12.4%
5 HB FWD^[16]	4	4	4	4	12.4%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2012 Hyundai Accent with 1.6L 4-cylinder^[17]	138 hp

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
ACCENT 4DR HATCHBACK L/GL/GLS (auto)^[18]	162 in	67 in	57 in	101 in	2,575 lb
ACCENT 4DR HATCHBACK L/GL/GLS (manual)^[19]	162 in	67 in	57 in	101 in	2,509 lb
ACCENT 4DR SEDAN L/GL (manual)^[20]	172 in	68 in	57 in	101 in	2,480 lb
ACCENT 4DR SEDAN L/GL/GLS (auto)^[21]	172 in	68 in	57 in	101 in	2,546 lb

How 2012 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Accent model year. The 2012 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
1995	142	5
1996	101	4
1997	56	3
1998	47	1
1999	61	1
2006	43	3
2007	88	3
2008	101	1
2009	101	2
2010	87	1
2011	38	1
2012	153	2
2013	141	1
2014	79	1
2015	70	2
2016	102	0
2017	68	0
2018	19	1
2019	31	1
2020	12	4
2021	16	4
2022	17	2

NHTSA's counts for the Accent show 153 complaints and 2 recalls for 2012^[3]. Among the 22 model years listed, 21 have fewer complaints than 2012 and 0 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2020 (12) and the most are for 2012 (153)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2012 Accent?

The 2012 Accent shows a spread of complaints across engine, brakes and electrical parts^[1]. Some reports name fires, with 8 mentioning one^[1]. The air bag group has a high share of crash reports for its size^[10]. These are unverified owner reports and they are not adjusted for sales. Check the recall section on this page, since recalls are on file for this year^[3].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Hyundai Accent?: The biggest complaint group is the engine, with 39 complaints^[2]. Brakes follow with 37 complaints^[6], then the electrical system with 24^[7].
Does the 2012 Hyundai Accent have any recalls?: Yes, this model year has recalls on file^[3]. The Recalls section on this page lists them.
How many complaints does the 2012 Hyundai Accent have?: NHTSA has 153 owner complaints on file^[1]. They are unverified reports from owners.
Is the 2012 Hyundai Accent reliable?: Complaints cover several areas, so look at the groups listed in the problems section^[1]. The safety section on this page adds crash test results.
What is the gas mileage of the 2012 Hyundai Accent?: See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Hyundai Accent

2012 this page
2013 141 complaints, 1 recall
2014 79 complaints, 1 recall
2016 102 complaints, 0 recalls
2017 68 complaints, 0 recalls

Compare all model years of the Hyundai Accent

Other Hyundai models from 2012

2012 Hyundai Genesis 271 complaints, 5 recalls
2012 Hyundai Sonata 1,712 complaints, 11 recalls

All Hyundai models

Similar cars from 2012: compact cars

2012 Volkswagen Jetta 527 complaints, 6 recalls
2012 Volvo S60 121 complaints, 8 recalls
2012 Audi A4 45 complaints, 0 recalls
2012 Chrysler 200 638 complaints, 4 recalls
2012 Ford Focus 3,803 complaints, 10 recalls
2012 Honda Accord 381 complaints, 8 recalls

All compact cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 153 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Hyundai Accent (13 mention a crash, 8 a fire, 13 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
39 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 7 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 86,800). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Hyundai Accent model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Accent, 1.6L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 28 city / 37 highway / 32 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 4 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 12.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
37 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 3 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,015). NHTSA vehicle records
24 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,000). NHTSA vehicle records
19 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 107,115). NHTSA vehicle records
18 complaints name the speed control component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 63,000). NHTSA vehicle records
17 complaints name the air bags component group (11 crashes, 0 fires, 10 injuries, median mileage at failure 34,640). NHTSA vehicle records
10 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 63,385). NHTSA vehicle records
9 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 40,537). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 23V651, filed September 22, 2023: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock / Traction Control / Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit / Module . NHTSA recall database
Recall 20V393, filed July 2, 2020: Equipment › Electrical. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Accent, 1.6L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 28 city / 37 highway / 31 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 5 HB FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 4 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 12.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2012 Hyundai Accent with 1.6L 4-cylinder: rated 138 hp. www.epa.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ACCENT 4DR HATCHBACK L/GL/GLS (auto): length 162 in, width 67 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 101 in, curb weight 2,575 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ACCENT 4DR HATCHBACK L/GL/GLS (manual): length 162 in, width 67 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 101 in, curb weight 2,509 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ACCENT 4DR SEDAN L/GL (manual): length 172 in, width 68 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 101 in, curb weight 2,480 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ACCENT 4DR SEDAN L/GL/GLS (auto): length 172 in, width 68 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 101 in, curb weight 2,546 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2012 Hyundai Accent: problems, recalls and fuel economy