CarBrief

NHTSA has 68 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Accent and lists no recalls for this model year[1][2]. Engine and air bag complaints are the biggest groups, so check both before you buy[3][4].

68owner complaints[1]
30–31MPG combined (EPA)[5]
4★NHTSA overall rating[6]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 68 owner complaints for this car[1]. Nine mention a crash, 3 a fire and 7 injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several components.

Engine (24 complaints). One of these mentions a fire and none mention a crash or injury[3]. In a sample of 12 complaint texts we read, 6 describe the car stalling or losing power while driving[3]. 4 describe oil use or low oil, and some of those link it to engine or catalytic converter damage[3].

Air bags (21 complaints). This group has 7 crashes and 7 injuries, with a median mileage at failure of 43,500[4]. In a sample of 12 complaint texts, 8 describe a warning light that stays on[4], and some trace it to the passenger seat sensor. 4 describe air bags that did not deploy in a crash[4]. Remove the sentence, or write: Owners in the sample who saw the light say they had it checked.

Unknown or other (16 complaints). This group has 1 crash and 3 fires[7].

Electrical system (9 complaints). One mentions a fire, and the median mileage at failure is 58,000[8]. In a sample of 9 texts, 4 describe dash lights flickering or power cutting out[8].

Power train (6 complaints). None mention a crash, fire or injury[9]. In the 6 texts we read, 4 describe hesitation, lunging forward or unexpected shifting[9].

Brakes (5), structure (4) and fuel/propulsion (4) have few complaints[10][11][12].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2017 model year[2]. That is not a promise that nothing is wrong, since some owners in the complaint samples say they found no recall for their problem. Before buying, Optional: ask the seller to confirm there are no open recalls for the VIN..

Fuel economy

The EPA rates the 1.6L 4-cylinder, front-wheel drive, on regular gas, in two versions:

Version City Highway Combined Annual fuel cost
Automatic (S6)[13] 26 36 30 $2,250
Manual 6-spd[5] 27 37 31 $2,150

The fuel cost uses the EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 4-door front-wheel-drive Accent 4 stars overall[6]. Frontal, side and rollover ratings are each 4 stars too[6]. Rollover risk is 12.4%[6].

Engine and size

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

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

How 2017 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 recalls2017: 68 complaints, 0 recalls6820172018: 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 2017 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 68 complaints, the 2017 Accent sits in the middle of the years NHTSA lists from 2006 on[2]. It has fewer complaints than 2007 to 2010 (87 to 101) and 2012 to 2016 (70 to 153)[2]. It has more than 2006 (43), 2011 (38) and 2018 to 2022 (12 to 31)[2]. Only 2016 and 2017 show 0 recalls[2]. Every other year from 2006 on has at least 1[2]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat this as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2017 Accent?

The record is mixed but not alarming. There are no recalls, 4-star crash ratings and 30 combined MPG for the automatic[2][6][13]. Against that, engine and air bag complaints lead the list, and the air bag group includes 7 crashes and 7 injuries[3][4]. Ask for service records, especially oil changes, and have the air bag warning light and engine checked on a test drive. Complaints are unverified and our data cannot say how often any problem happens.

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2017 Hyundai Accent have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2017 model year[2].
What are the most reported problems on the 2017 Accent?
Engine has 24 complaints and air bags 21 out of 68 total[1][3][4].
How many miles per gallon does the 2017 Accent get?
The EPA rates the automatic at 26 city, 36 highway and 30 combined, and the manual at 27, 37 and 31[13][5].
How safe is the 2017 Hyundai Accent?
NHTSA gives the 4-door 4 stars overall[6].
Is 2017 a good year for the Accent?
It has fewer complaints than 2012 to 2016 and no recalls, but more than 2018 to 2022[2].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 68 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Hyundai Accent (9 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 7 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Hyundai Accent model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. 24 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. 21 complaints name the air bags component group (7 crashes, 0 fires, 7 injuries, median mileage at failure 43,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  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. 16 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 3 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 48,791). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 9 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 58,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 6 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 5 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 4 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 4 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 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, 2017 Hyundai Accent with 1.6L 4-cylinder: rated 138 hp. www.epa.gov
  15. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ACCENT 4DR HATCHBACK (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
  16. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ACCENT 4DR HATCHBACK (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
  17. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ACCENT 4DR SEDAN (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
  18. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ACCENT 4DR SEDAN (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.