CarBrief

NHTSA has 102 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Accent[1], and it lists no recalls for this model year[2]. Complaints name the engine, air bags and electrical system most often[3][4][5].

102owner complaints[1]
30–31MPG combined (EPA)[6]
4★NHTSA overall rating[7]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 102 owner complaints on file[1]. Of these, 7 mention a crash, 3 a fire and 8 injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component group.

Engine (33 complaints[3]). This is the largest group[3]. It has 1 crash, 2 fires and 1 injury, and the median mileage at failure is 93,000[3]. In a sample of 12 engine complaints we read, 3 describe overheating or smoke from the engine bay, and 3 describe engine knock that ended with a replacement diagnosis[3].

Air bags (30 complaints). This group has 5 crashes and 5 injuries, with a median mileage of 61,000[4]. In a sample of 12 we read, 8 describe an air bag warning light that comes on and off, and 3 say the air bags did not deploy in a collision[4]. These are owner accounts and were not verified.

Electrical system (26 complaints). This group has 3 fires and a median mileage of 47,890[5]. In a sample of 12 we read, 7 describe a speedometer that drops to zero while the ABS, brake and traction control lights come on[5].

Steering (11 complaints). The median mileage is 20,000[8]. In a sample of 10 we read, 4 describe the steering locking up, freezing or not turning[8].

Smaller groups include brakes with 8 complaints[9], speed control with 7[10] and structure with 6[11]. A further 16 complaints are filed under unknown or other[12].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2016 Accent model year[2]. Some owners in our complaint samples say they think a recall is needed. That is their view and it is not a recall.

Fuel economy

Both versions use a 1.6L 4-cylinder engine and regular fuel, with front-wheel drive[13][6].

Version City Highway Combined Annual fuel cost
Automatic (S6)[13] 26 36 30 $2,250
Manual 6-spd[6] 27 37 31 $2,150

EPA's annual cost uses its current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA rates the 4 DR FWD at 4 stars overall[7]. Frontal, side and rollover ratings are each 4 stars too[7]. Rollover risk is 12.4%[7].

Engine and size

The 1.6L 4-cylinder is rated 138 hp[14]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

Body and version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
Hatchback, manual[15] 162 in 67 in 57 in 101 in 2,489 lb
Hatchback, auto[16] 162 in 67 in 57 in 101 in 2,555 lb
Sedan, manual[17] 172 in 68 in 57 in 101 in 2,480 lb
Sedan, auto[18] 172 in 68 in 57 in 101 in 2,546 lb

How 2016 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 recalls2015: 70 complaints, 2 recalls20152016: 102 complaints, 0 recalls10220162017: 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 2016 is highlighted[2].
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 102 complaints, 2016 ranks fourth highest among the 22 Accent model years NHTSA lists[2]. Only 2012 (153), 1995 (142) and 2013 (141) have more[2]. The years next to it are lower, with 70 for 2015 and 68 for 2017[2]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold. From 2006 onward, 2016 and 2017 are the only years with 0 recalls[2].

Should you buy a used 2016 Accent?

The 2016 Accent has no recalls on file[2] and a 4-star overall rating[7]. Its fuel economy is 30 mpg combined for the automatic and 31 for the manual[13][6]. Complaints about the engine, the passenger air bag light and the speedometer and warning lights are worth checking before you buy[3][4][5]. Ask for service records and have a mechanic look at the engine and test the dash lights. Complaints are unverified and our samples were small, so they do not tell you how likely any problem is.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Hyundai Accent?
NHTSA's largest complaint groups are engine with 33, air bags with 30 and electrical system with 26[3][4][5].
Does the 2016 Hyundai Accent have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2016 model year[2].
What is the gas mileage of the 2016 Hyundai Accent?
The automatic is rated 26 city, 36 highway and 30 combined mpg[13]. The manual is rated 27, 37 and 31[6].
How safe is the 2016 Hyundai Accent?
NHTSA gives the 4 DR FWD 4 stars overall[7].
Is 2016 a good year for the Hyundai Accent?
It has more complaints (102) than 2015 (70) or 2017 (68) but no recalls[2].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 102 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Hyundai Accent (7 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 8 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Hyundai Accent model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. 33 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 93,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. 30 complaints name the air bags component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 61,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. 26 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 47,890). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 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
  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. 11 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 20,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 8 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 15,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 7 complaints name the speed control component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 6 complaints name the structure component group (3 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 16 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 3 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. EPA rating for Accent, 1.6L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 26 city / 36 highway / 30 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,250. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  14. EPA Test Car List, 2016 Hyundai Accent with 1.6L 4-cylinder: rated 138 hp. www.epa.gov
  15. 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 2,489 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  16. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ACCENT 4DR HATCHBACK LE/GL/SE/GLS (auto): length 162 in, width 67 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 101 in, curb weight 2,555 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  17. 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
  18. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ACCENT 4DR SEDAN LE/GL/SE/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.