CarBrief

NHTSA has 79 owner complaints on file for the 2014 Hyundai Accent, and brakes are the biggest group[1][2]. The car also has one safety recall for an ABS module that can leak and cause an engine compartment fire[3].

79owner complaints[1]
1recalls[4]
30–31MPG combined (EPA)[5]
4★NHTSA overall rating[6]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 79 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Twelve mention a crash, 9 a fire and 14 injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified reports from owners, and one complaint can name more than one component.

Here are the largest groups by complaint count:

Component group Complaints Crashes Fires Injuries
Brakes[2] 25 0 5 0
Engine[7] 18 0 2 0
Air bags[8] 11 9 0 11
Steering[9] 8 2 0 2

The other groups are small. Unknown or other has 6 complaints[10], electrical system 5[11], seat belts 5[12] and tires 3[13]. We would not call any of those a common problem.

Brakes. In a sample of brake complaints we read, 8 of 12 come from owners who got the ABS recall notice and say the repair part was not yet available[2]. Six of those 8 say they had not had a failure[2]. Two of the 12 describe a brake pedal that went to the floor before the car slowed[2]. The recall is covered below.

Engine. The engine complaints have a median mileage at failure of 82,450[7]. In a sample of engine complaints we read, owners describe three things: oil burning (3 of 12), knocking or bearing noise that ended in a failed or replaced engine (4 of 12), and the engine stalling or cutting out (4 of 12)[7]. Some mechanics could not find a cause for the stalling[7].

Air bags. Median mileage at failure is 32,000[8]. In a sample of air bag complaints we read, 8 of 11 describe air bags that did not deploy in a crash[8]. These are owner accounts.

Steering. In a sample of steering complaints we read, owners describe a wheel that felt stiff, locked or hard to turn (4 of 8)[9]. Two of 8 describe warning lights and power steering assist that came and went[9].

Recalls

NHTSA lists one recall for the 2014 Accent[4].

In the brake complaints we read, several owners say their dealer did not yet have the part when they called[2]. If you own or are shopping for one, ask a Hyundai dealer to check the car's VIN for this recall and for parts availability. Hyundai customer service is 1-855-371-9460[3].

Fuel economy

EPA rates the 1.6L 4-cylinder with front-wheel drive in two versions:

Transmission City Highway Combined Annual fuel cost
Automatic 6-spd[14] 26 36 30 $2,250
Manual 6-spd[5] 27 37 31 $2,150

Both use regular gas. The annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new[14][5].

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 4 DR FWD version 4 stars overall, 4 for frontal crash, 4 for side crash and 4 for rollover[6]. The listed rollover risk is 12.4%[6]. The rating covers that version only.

Engine and size

The EPA test car list rates the 1.6L 4-cylinder at 138 hp[15].

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications, so US cars can differ slightly. Length, width, height and wheelbase are in inches.

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
Hatchback, automatic[16] 162 67 57 101 2,635 lb
Hatchback, manual[17] 162 67 57 101 2,544 lb
Sedan, automatic[18] 172 68 57 101 2,601 lb
Sedan, manual[19] 172 68 57 101 2,480 lb

How 2014 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 recalls20132014: 79 complaints, 1 recalls7920142015: 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 2014 is highlighted[4].
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

NHTSA's counts for the Accent show 79 complaints and 1 recall for 2014[4]. Of the 22 model years in the list, 9 have more complaints than 2014 and 12 have fewer, so 2014 sits in the middle[4]. The highest are 2012 with 153 complaints, 1995 with 142 and 2013 with 141[4]. The next year, 2015, has 70 complaints and 2 recalls[4]. The 2016 and 2017 model years show 0 recalls[4].

These counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat them as a rough guide only.

Should you buy a used 2014 Accent?

The 2014 Accent has a middling complaint count for its model line[4], a 4-star NHTSA rating[6] and EPA ratings of 30 or 31 mpg combined[14][5]. The main thing to settle before buying is the ABS recall 23V651. Ask a dealer to check the VIN and what the repair requires[3]. Also ask about the engine's oil use and listen for knocking on a test drive, since owners describe both in the complaints we read[7]. A pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic is a fair step, since our data cannot tell you about any single car's history.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2014 Hyundai Accent?
By complaint count, brakes lead with 25 of 79 complaints, then engine with 18 and air bags with 11[1][2][7][8]. In the samples we read, owners describe the ABS recall part being unavailable, oil burning, engine knocking or stalling, and air bags that did not deploy[2][7][8].
Does the 2014 Hyundai Accent have any recalls?
NHTSA lists one, 23V651 from 2023-09-22[3]. The ABS module can leak brake fluid and short out, which can cause an engine compartment fire. The listed fix is a free ABS fuse replacement at a dealer[3][4].
What is the gas mileage of a 2014 Hyundai Accent?
EPA rates the automatic at 26 city, 36 highway and 30 combined mpg, and the manual at 27, 37 and 31[14][5].
How safe is the 2014 Hyundai Accent?
NHTSA rates the 4 DR FWD version 4 stars overall, with 4 stars in frontal, side and rollover tests[6].
Is the 2014 Accent a good year compared with others?
It has 79 complaints, against 153 for 2012 and 141 for 2013, but 70 for 2015[4]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so this is only a rough guide.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 79 owner complaints on file for the 2014 Hyundai Accent (12 mention a crash, 9 a fire, 14 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 25 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 5 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 23V651, filed September 22, 2023: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock / Traction Control / Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit / Module . NHTSA recall database
  4. Owner complaints and recalls for every Hyundai Accent model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  5. EPA rating for Accent, 1.6L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 27 city / 37 highway / 31 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. 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
  7. 18 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 82,450). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 11 complaints name the air bags component group (9 crashes, 0 fires, 11 injuries, median mileage at failure 32,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 8 complaints name the steering component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 6 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 5 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 5 complaints name the seat belts component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 3 complaints name the tires component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. EPA rating for Accent, 1.6L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 26 city / 36 highway / 30 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,250. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. EPA Test Car List, 2014 Hyundai Accent with 1.6L 4-cylinder: rated 138 hp. www.epa.gov
  16. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ACCENT 4DR HATCHBACK GL/GLS (auto): length 162 in, width 67 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 101 in, curb weight 2,635 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 2,544 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  18. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ACCENT 4DR SEDAN GL/GLS (auto): length 172 in, width 68 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 101 in, curb weight 2,601 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  19. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ACCENT 4DR SEDAN L (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.