Hyundai Accent Complaints (2016)

103 consumer complaints on file.

#11774143October 28, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ABS module electrical fault and fire. On the evening before the fire, the vehicle displayed ABS and ESC warning lights with diagnostic fault code C2402 (motor electrical fault). A continuous buzzing/vibrating noise came from under the hood near the engine compartment and persisted for several minutes even after the engine was shut off and key removed. Disconnecting the negative battery terminal immediately stopped the noise. The next morning, approximately 12 hours later, the vehicle caught fire in the engine bay near the ABS module. The fire was extinguished manually. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The ABS module and surrounding wiring show fire damage and are available for inspection. This defect poses a serious fire risk.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11769398October 6, 2026
AIR BAGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
I brought my vehicle to Victorville Hyundai to address the official manufacturer safety warranty extension, Campaign Z01, which covers a defective passenger side Occupant Classification System (OCS) airbag sensor. My vehicle currently has 129,000 miles. The dealership and the service manager refused to perform the necessary safety diagnostic or inspection unless I signed a pre-authorization contract agreeing to pay a out-of-pocket fee of $219. The manager explicitly stated that this fee would be charged if they found that the sensor was contaminated with "outside water or dust." While I confirmed that the vehicle has never sustained any liquid spills or water intrusion, the vehicle is driven in the High Desert area and naturally contains standard environmental dust due to its age and mileage. By inserting the word "dust" into a mandatory pre-authorization agreement, the dealership is creating an intentional, deceptive financial loophole to deny a corporate safety warranty and avoid repairing a critical restraint system component. Because I refused to sign this predatory waiver, the dealership refused to service my vehicle's airbag defect, leaving a critical safety issue unresolved
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11768028September 30, 2026
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, STEERING
Engine failure on a vehicle under 100,000 miles creates a risk of sudden loss of power while driving. A failing catalytic converter & coil packs can cause overheating and potential fire risk. These components were either pre-existing manufacturer defects or were damaged during the engine replacement process at Auto Nation Columbus (Columbus, GA), neither of which was disclosed to me as the owner.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11760117August 27, 2026
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that she recently purchased the vehicle from a private seller. When the contact drove the vehicle for the first time, there were no issues or warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. However, when the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for an inspection, it was discovered that the airbag module warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 143,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11730627April 12, 2026
AIR BAGS
I got into an accident and my airbags did not go off... my face hit the steering wheel and my hand is broken because the airbags didn't deploy
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11730695April 12, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The engine failed and requires a full engine replacement. The vehicle is currently at ALM Hyundai West, 1990 Thornton Rd, Lithia Springs, GA 30122, and is available for inspection upon request. Hyundai Motor America has already approved the engine replacement under a goodwill authorization, implicitly confirming the failure is manufacturer-related. The engine failure left the vehicle undrivable, forcing me to operate rental vehicles and arrange multiple tows across three dealerships over nearly two years. An engine failure at under 100,000 miles on a well-maintained vehicle poses a direct safety risk a sudden engine failure while driving at highway or city speeds could result in loss of vehicle control, creating a serious risk of collision for the driver and other road users.Yes. The engine failure has been confirmed by three separate authorized Hyundai dealerships: Ed Voyles Hyundai (Marietta, GA), AutoNation Hyundai (Columbus, GA), and ALM Hyundai West (Lithia Springs, GA). Hyundai Motor America's own goodwill approval of a full engine replacement on July 18, 2025 further confirms the failure.Yes. The vehicle has been inspected by three authorized Hyundai dealerships acting on behalf of the manufacturer. Hyundai Motor America's corporate team reviewed and approved the engine replacement as a goodwill repair. All inspection and repair documentation is on file and available upon request.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11705165December 15, 2025
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I was driving up a hill on interstate 8 in California and all of a sudden i heard a bang under the hood and see sparks and flames and my hyundai was on fire right there on the freeway. No clue why.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11702589December 2, 2025
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
Engine is failing, oil leaking in the engine that messed up my catalytic converter and O2 sensors now it’s just sluggish , doesn’t accelerate properly, doesn’t idle nearly .
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11691000October 2, 2025
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
The vehicle made a loud catastrophic noises stopped running and couldn’t be restarted. Towed car to dealership where it was inspected and denied coverage based on owner not original owner. This 1.6L Gamma GDI Engine is part of the larger Hyundai and Kia Engine Litigation II (Case No. 8:18-cv-02223). The settlement provides a 15-year/150,000-mile extended warranty for said engine.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11676043July 24, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, STEERING
The Emergency brake light, ABS light, and esc light all come on while driving & speedometer goes to 0. The speedometer also stops tracking mileage when these lights come on. This used to happen on & off, but now it’s almost permanent. Hundreds are reporting the same exact issue online, but mechanics cannot figure out what the problem is. Me and countless others have taken the vehicle to mechanics multiple times with no resolve and thousands of dollars worth of diagnostics that are incorrect and don’t resolve the issue. It is dangerous because we don’t know how fast we’re going, and we don’t know if your abs, emergency brakes, & esc are all working properly. This issue is impacting Hyundai Accents years 2015, 2016, & 2017 based on the multiple threads & posts online. I think it’s related to electrical issues too because my windshield wipers & blinkers will randomly malfunction while this is happening. A random online user said that it is a “SMART Junction Box” issue that needs to be replaced. Please look into this and issue a recall because thousands of people are spending thousands of hard-earned dollars with no resolve.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11672630July 11, 2025
AIR BAGS
The passenger seat airbag seat sensor does not work properly. The sensor wiring gets loose making the airbag system not work. It’s a common problem in this make and model. So I don’t understand why it hasn’t been recalled yet.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11665173June 5, 2025
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11640127February 1, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The report does not specify the exact component that failed, but the fire originated under the hood of the 2016 Hyundai Accent. The vehicle and related documentation, including the fire department report, insurance claim, and incident photos, are available for review. The fire under the hood posed a serious safety risk as it occurred while the vehicle was in motion on a busy highway. Fortunately, the driver evacuated safely, but the incident could have resulted in injury or more severe consequences of both driver and other drivers traveling. The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. Due to the extent of the damage caused by the fire, it is unlikely that the issue can be reproduced or thoroughly examined. The vehicle has not been inspected by a mechanic since the incident. The incident was inspected by Chesterfield Fire & EMS (Report No. [XXX]), Chesterfield Police Department arrived on the scene, and an insurance claim is in process. About a week prior to the fire, oil indicator light would flash on and off periodically, unusual noise began, and the engine light came on. At the earliest convenience, the car was taken to a shop for inspection and consultation - with no life threatening concerns or mechanical damages reported. The day of and right before the fire, there was a loud noise and immediate smoke. The exact timing of the believed ignition of the fire started around [XXX] with the fire in full flames by [XXX] on [XXX].
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11621511October 23, 2024
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My 2016 Hyundai accent engine has all of sudden stop working and i have explained to multiple shops and my insurance that i was deployed for a whole year and the car was driving fine and once I came back it just wouldn’t crank. Two Hyundai shops informed me that the engine is locked up but neither shop provided a thorough investigation as to why this has happened. There were two-three major hurricanes in Texas where it was stored while I was deployed in Kuwait and Iraq from march 2023- march 2024 as well as another hurricane in Georgia where i am currently located now which happened September 2024. The engine is locked with no explanation as to how and a Hyundai representative by the name of don who provided the goodwill repair on July 09 2024 and i had it towed to Hyundai in Marietta and they looked and provided the same explanation that the engine is locked and to get it replaced with no detailed reasoning why. My safety has been at risk due to driving across states and town to get this vehicle serviced properly and causing mental anguish and depression as I am not able to get to where I need to go everyday which is causing friction in relationship and I am missing important events. I emailed the CEO Randy Parker and his executive assistant Amanda has done nothing but further deny the goodwill with no explanation on how, why, what, when. No, the problem was not confirmed as again it was no detail reasoning behind how the engine locked when it was working fine before returning from overseas. The vehicle was inspected by the local Hyundai dealerships in Killeen Texas and another in Marietta, GA and only inspected by one adjuster recently on October 10, 2024. There was no check engine illuminated in the car once I returned from overseas as it has not been driven much. There is still no check engine light illuminated even after all the shops checking. To make this right, I would like for Hyundai (HMUSA) to honor the goodwill REPAIR and or REPLACEMENT of the engine.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11610076August 21, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The instrumental panel suddenly malfunctioned the abs, airbag, and check engine lights illuminated, and the speedometer dropped to zero. The instrumental panel returned to normal, but the mileage range reset to 0. This was while I was traveling on a highway going 70mph. While it did not cause an accident this time, it was very upsetting. Further it is concerning that there was a recall on the 2014 Hyundai Accent for wiring issues that could cause a fire in the engine also referred to as an intermittent. We had the car inspected and nothing was found to be wrong with the battery/alternator or starter and nothing we could do in regular maintenance to ensure the safety of this vehicle. Note the mileage of this vehicle is 108k which is interesting considering the powertrain warranty was for 100k miles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11609672August 20, 2024
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Component/System Failure: The component that has malfunctioned is the engine. This issue is critical and affects the vehicle's overall performance. The malfunctioning engine is available for inspection upon request, and I am willing to facilitate this inspection to substantiate my claim. Safety Risk: The engine's failure poses a significant safety risk, including potential engine stalling or loss of power while driving, which could lead to accidents or collisions. The ongoing issue has compromised my safety and that of other road users. Confirmation of the Problem: The problem has been confirmed by [Dealership Name/Independent Service Center]. They have verified the engine issue and noted it in their service records. I can provide documentation from this service center upon request. Inspection by Manufacturer or Others: The vehicle has been inspected by [Dealership Name] and Hyundai Motor America (HMA) corporate. The problem was also discussed with Hyundai representatives, including Amanda, who is aware of the issue and the relevant maintenance records. There has been no inspection by police or insurance representatives related to this specific issue. Warning Lamps, Messages, or Symptoms: Prior to the engine failure, there were several warning lamps and messages indicating engine problems. These symptoms first appeared on [Date of First Warning], giving preliminary notice of the impending failure. Despite these warnings, the necessary repairs or goodwill intervention were not provided. Given the seriousness of the situation and the impact on my daily life, including the necessity to use rental cars, take time off work, and travel extensively, I request the following: Immediate Approval of Goodwill Repair: Reassess and approve the goodwill repair for the engine issue based on the accurate maintenance records provided. Compensation for Inconvenience: Compensation for time off work, rental car costs, travel expenses, and emotional distress caused by this situation.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11569397February 1, 2024
AIR BAGS, SEATS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This reports a recurring Safety Restraint System (SRS) airbag warning light issue for no apparent reason other than potentially defective components. Please investigate this! Any issues with the SRS system of a vehicle by default puts the safety of the vehicle's passengers at risk. The SRS airbag warning light first turned on randomly in June 2023 and remained on for a few weeks every time the car was on or being driven. (I am the second owner of the car, and this happened a year after purchase; I do not know if the original owners also had issues with this SRS warning light.) This SRS warning light turned itself off randomly a few weeks later. I had scheduled with a Hyundai Service Dept. to diagnose the issue for the price of $184.50 but ended up cancelling since the SRS light turned itself off 2 weeks before my appointment. The rough phone estimate by this Hyundai Service Dept. said that depending on if it is a sensor, control module, or something else, it could cost between $500 to $3000 to resolve. I was told that an issue with the SRS would not be investigated/covered by the manufacturer original warranty. (But SRS is a non-maintainable system so should work properly for the lifetime of the vehicle.) The SRS airbag warning light remained off until on Dec. 22, 2023, when it turned on again randomly. It stayed on again (anytime the car was on or being driven) for a few days then turned off randomly again. The SRS airbag warning light turned on again 1/26/24, then turned off on again on 1/29/24. It turned on AGAIN on 1/30/24 and is still on (2/1/24). This recurring SRS light issue indicates an urgent, underlying issue with the SRS system that has occurred randomly, without warning or reason, to my vehicle and to others with this vehicle according to this NHTSA web site. This SRS warning light issue suggests that the SRS system may not be working properly and could case the airbags to deploy incorrectly, or not deploy when needed, which is unacceptable.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11565335January 13, 2024
AIR BAGS
The airbag SRS light started to blink on and off and now stays on full time. I took the car to the dealership and they ran diagnostics and got code B1440 and B1774. They stated the entire passenger seat cushion must be replaced with the MAT sensor. This is a common problem per this website and there is no recall issued for some reason. Please investigate this issue as it was a common problem with earlier models 2006 through 2011 and later models are still having the same issue. This is a costly fix and it is suspicious that this sensor failed right after the warranty expired.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11553186November 2, 2023
ENGINE
In 2019, the car started losing oil. Not realizing it was still under warranty, twice I took it to my mechanic and they replaced the valve cover gasket, December 2019 and August 2020. It never resolved and then realized it was still under warranty. Took it to the dealership November 2020 and they found the oil was leaking from a timing cover and claimed it was fixed. It appeared so at first, but then the trouble continued but we just dealt with it. Saturday, October 28, 2023, my husband was driving up a hill and the engine almost seized. He luckily got home ok and we checked the oil and it was empty! He had just put a quart in two days earlier. sometimes the oil light goes on but not always so we always have to stay on top of it. I looked up to see if there were any recalls going on and saw there is a petition for one for quite a few models of Hyundais and Kias with the exact same problem as my Accent. I'm writing with the hopes that the 2016 Hyundai Accent will be included as so far we've been lucky that it hasn't seized while on the highway or on a side road.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11546277September 24, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The car caught on fire while driving on the freeway for no reason, an explosion occurred.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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