CarBrief

The 2013 Hyundai Accent has 141 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, The 2013 Hyundai Accent has 141 owner complaints on file with NHTSA[1], with brakes and engine named most often[2][3].. It also has one recall for an ABS module that can cause an engine compartment fire[4].

141owner complaints[1]
1recalls[5]
31–32MPG combined (EPA)[6]
4★NHTSA overall rating[7]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 141 owner complaints for this model year[1]. 16 mention a crash, 9 a fire and 23 injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports. One complaint can name several parts, so the groups below add up to more than the total.

We also read a small sample of the complaint texts for the biggest groups. It is too small to tell how common any problem is.

Brakes. In the sample of brake complaints we read, owners describe a pulsing or shaking brake pedal, wheels locking, or a car that did not stop as expected, sometimes with the ABS light on[2]. Two owners describe brake or rotor noise. Two say they received the ABS recall notice below but the repair part was not yet available[2].

Engine. In the engine sample, owners describe loss of power, knocking or pinging, and engine noise. Several of the 12 texts also describe frustration with the dealer or warranty response, such as a dealer that could not find the cause[3]. One text describes an engine compartment fire in a parked car[3].

Air bags. In the air bag sample, 10 of the 12 texts we read describe air bags that did not deploy in a crash[10]. Three of those texts appear to come from one owner's repeated reports[10]. The median mileage at failure for this group is 21,000[10].

Electrical system. In the electrical sample, owners describe a car that stalls, will not start, or does not power up its electronics[8].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 1 recall for this model year[5].

Fuel economy

The EPA rates the 1.6L 4-cylinder Accent at 28 city and 37 highway in both versions[14][6]. Combined, the 6-speed automatic gets 31 mpg[14] and the 6-speed manual gets 32 mpg[6]. The EPA estimates annual fuel cost at $2,150 for the automatic[14] and $2,100 for the manual[6]. Those costs use EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gave the 4-door front-wheel-drive Accent 4 stars overall[7]. It also scored 4 stars each for frontal, side and rollover protection[7]. The rollover risk is 12.4%[7].

Engine and size

The EPA lists the 1.6L 4-cylinder at 138 hp[15]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, converted to inches and pounds, and can differ slightly from US models.

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
4-door hatchback, auto[16] 162 in 67 in 57 in 101 in 2,575 lb
4-door hatchback, manual[17] 162 in 67 in 57 in 101 in 2,509 lb
4-door sedan, auto[18] 172 in 68 in 57 in 101 in 2,546 lb
4-door sedan, manual[19] 172 in 68 in 57 in 101 in 2,480 lb

How 2013 compares with other years

1995: 142 complaints, 5 recalls19951996: 101 complaints, 4 recalls1997: 56 complaints, 3 recalls19971998: 47 complaints, 1 recalls1999: 61 complaints, 1 recalls19992006: 43 complaints, 3 recalls2007: 88 complaints, 3 recalls20072008: 101 complaints, 1 recalls2009: 101 complaints, 2 recalls20092010: 87 complaints, 1 recalls2011: 38 complaints, 1 recalls20112012: 153 complaints, 2 recalls2013: 141 complaints, 1 recalls14120132014: 79 complaints, 1 recalls2015: 70 complaints, 2 recalls20152016: 102 complaints, 0 recalls2017: 68 complaints, 0 recalls20172018: 19 complaints, 1 recalls2019: 31 complaints, 1 recalls20192020: 12 complaints, 4 recalls2021: 16 complaints, 4 recalls20212022: 17 complaints, 2 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Accent model year. The 2013 is highlighted[5].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19951425
19961014
1997563
1998471
1999611
2006433
2007883
20081011
20091012
2010871
2011381
20121532
20131411
2014791
2015702
20161020
2017680
2018191
2019311
2020124
2021164
2022172

With 141 complaints, 2013 ranks third among the Accent model years we have data for[5]. Only 2012 (153) and 1995 (142) have more[5]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat this as a rough guide. For recalls, 2013 has 1[5]. For recalls, 2013 has 1, while 2016 and 2017 have none[5]. The 2014 model year has 79 complaints and 1 recall[5].

Should you buy a used 2013 Accent?

The data shows a car rated at 31 to 32 mpg combined[14][6][14][6] and 4-star NHTSA ratings[7]. The open point is the ABS recall. Ask the seller, or check with a Hyundai dealer using the VIN, whether the recall repair has been done[4]. The complaint counts for brakes and engine are the highest, and the air bag complaints involve crashes[2][3][10]. These are unverified reports, so use them as questions for a pre-purchase inspection, not as a verdict.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Hyundai Accent?
NHTSA complaints are highest for brakes (42), engine (34) and electrical system (18) out of 141 total[1][2][3][8].
Does the 2013 Hyundai Accent have any recalls?
NHTSA lists one, 23V651, for an ABS module that can cause an engine compartment fire. Dealers replace the ABS fuse free[4].
How many miles per gallon does a 2013 Hyundai Accent get?
The EPA rates it at 31 mpg combined with the automatic[14] and 32 mpg combined with the manual[6].
How safe is the 2013 Hyundai Accent?
NHTSA rated the 4-door front-wheel-drive version 4 stars overall, with a 12.4% rollover risk[7].
Is 2013 a good year for the Hyundai Accent?
It has 141 complaints, third most among listed years behind 2012 (153) and 1995 (142), and 1 recall[5].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 141 owner complaints on file for the 2013 Hyundai Accent (16 mention a crash, 9 a fire, 23 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 42 complaints name the brakes component group (3 crashes, 2 fires, 7 injuries, median mileage at failure 55,105). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. 34 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 4 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 73,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. Recall 23V651, filed September 22, 2023: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock / Traction Control / Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit / Module . NHTSA recall database
  5. Owner complaints and recalls for every Hyundai Accent model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 18 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 8 injuries, median mileage at failure 64,996). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 16 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 3 fires, 9 injuries, median mileage at failure 54,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 14 complaints name the air bags component group (12 crashes, 0 fires, 13 injuries, median mileage at failure 21,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 12 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 33,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 8 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 21,599). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 8 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 13,524). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 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
  15. EPA Test Car List, 2013 Hyundai Accent with 1.6L 4-cylinder: rated 138 hp. www.epa.gov
  16. 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
  17. 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
  18. 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
  19. 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

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.