YearToAvoid

2010 Hyundai Accent Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Good The 2010 Hyundai Accent has a complaint index of 47 and ranks 10th worst out of 18 model years, earning a Good verdict relative to other Accent years. Brakes (26% of complaints) and Electrical System (25%) are the top problem areas, with one recall for a brake light switch.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
47/100
#10 of 18 Accent years
Verdict
Good
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
87
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
4
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
4
Top issue
Brakes
Best nearby year
2018
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
30
27 city / 36 hwy
Injuries / deaths
4 / 0

Top 2010 Hyundai Accent problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Brakes23 (26%)
  2. Electrical System22 (25%)
  3. Visibility & Wipers18 (21%)
  4. Engine13 (15%)
  5. Airbags10 (11%)
  6. Steering7 (8%)
  7. Suspension, Wheels & Tires7 (8%)
  8. Other6 (7%)
  9. Fuel System3 (3%)
  10. HVAC1 (1%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Owners describe sudden brake failure or loss of stopping power, sometimes after hitting a bump or in wet conditions, occasionally leading to a crash into another vehicle.
  • Some report anti-lock brakes locking up the rear wheels on wet roads, causing loss of control.
  • Steering, brakes, and accelerator have been reported to lock up simultaneously in rare cases, forcing drivers to coast to a stop.
  • Driver's side airbags reportedly failed to deploy during front-end or broadside collisions at highway speed.
  • Electrical problems including ignition, battery cable, and stalling issues have sent some vehicles back to the dealer multiple times.
  • Suspension complaints mention premature tire wear and sidewall cracking on factory-fitted tires at low mileage.
2010 Hyundai Accent complaints: complaints filed per quarter72009 Q42012 Q22013 Q42015 Q12016 Q22018 Q22021 Q32026 Q1
87 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2009 Q4 to 2026 Q1; peak 2014 Q3 (7).

2010 Hyundai Accent recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 15V566000Sep 8, 2015Electrical System99,500 vehicles

    Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch

    Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Hyundai Accent vehicles manufactured March 1, 2009, to February 11, 2011. In the affected vehicles, the brake light switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning brake light switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning brake light switch may also prevent the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position.

    Risk: Failure to illuminate the brake lights during braking or the inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake switch, free of charge. The recall began on October 21, 2015. Owners may contact Hyundai's customer service at 1-855-671-3059 or by visiting www.HyundaiUSA.com/Campaign131. Hyundai's number for this recall is 131. This recall is an expansion of 13V-113.

2010 Hyundai Accent fuel economy and fuel cost

City
27 MPG
Highway
36 MPG
Combined
30 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,150
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2010 compared with other Accent years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2008Caution59101128.5
2009Avoid82101229
2010Good4787130
2011Good2938130
2012Avoid94153231.5

All Hyundai Accent years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2010 Hyundai Accent reliable?
Compared with other Accent model years, the 2010 rates Good, with a complaint index of 47 and a rank of 10th worst out of 18 years tracked.
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Hyundai Accent?
NHTSA complaints point to Brakes (26% of complaints, median mileage 46,000) and Electrical System (25%, median mileage 60,600) as the top problem areas.
Does the 2010 Hyundai Accent have any recalls?
Yes, one recall (campaign 15V566000) covers a brake light switch that may malfunction; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
Which Hyundai Accent years should I avoid instead of 2010?
NHTSA data show 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2016 rated Avoid, with complaint indexes as high as 100, well above the 2010 model's 47.
What is the fuel economy of the 2010 Hyundai Accent?
EPA rates it at 30 mpg combined (27 city / 36 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,150.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.