2012 Hyundai Accent Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2012 Hyundai Accent has a complaint index of 94, the second-worst of 18 model years, earning an Avoid verdict. NHTSA lists 153 complaints, 2 recalls, and engine problems as the top issue, with 8 fires reported and a median failure mileage of 60,500.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 94/100
- #2 of 18 Accent years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 153
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- 1 Park Outside
- Crashes
- 13
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 8
- Injuries
- 13
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 31.5
- 28 city / 37 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 13 / 1
Top 2012 Hyundai Accent problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine53 (35%)
- Brakes41 (27%)
- Electrical System24 (16%)
- Other20 (13%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires19 (12%)
- Airbags17 (11%)
- Fuel System12 (8%)
- Steering9 (6%)
- Structure & Body9 (6%)
- Visibility & Wipers3 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy in frontal and head-on crashes, including one at roughly 60 mph and another head-on impact around 45 mph.
- Some drivers reported airbags not deploying even after the vehicle was totaled, leading to head and neck injuries.
- Engine compartments have caught fire without warning, sometimes moments after the vehicle was parked and shut off.
- One owner reported smoke entering the cabin through the air vents just before an engine fire developed.
- A vehicle reportedly suffered sudden deceleration at highway speed due to a fuel rail pressure sensor issue that recurred after a dealer repair.
- A structure fire was linked by one owner to a prior battery replacement and an oxygen sensor repair.
2012 Hyundai Accent recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V651000Sep 22, 2023Brakes1,649,478 vehiclesPark Outside
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.
- NHTSA 20V393000Jul 2, 2020Other272,126 vehicles
Equipment:electrical
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Hyundai Elantra and Sonata Hybrid, 2012 Accent and Veloster vehicles. The 12V accessory socket outlet may have been over-tightened during installation, possibly disabling the thermal fuse and allowing the outlet to overheat with prolonged use, such as by using the Tire Mobility Kit air compressor to inflate a tire.
Risk: An overheated accessory outlet increases the risk of fire.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the Tire Mobility Kit accessory outlet plug with a direct-to-battery connection wire harness kit, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 193.
2012 Hyundai Accent fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 28 MPG
- Highway
- 37 MPG
- Combined
- 31.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,075
- 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.
2012 compared with other Accent years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Hyundai Accent reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2012 Accent a complaint index of 94, ranking it 2nd worst out of 18 model years of this model, so it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Accent years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Hyundai Accent?
- Engine problems make up 35% of complaints (53 cases), followed by brakes at 27% (41 cases) and electrical system issues at 16% (24 cases). NHTSA also recorded 8 engine-related fires.
- Does the 2012 Hyundai Accent have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2012 Accent: one for a brake component affecting multiple Hyundai models where owners are told to park outside, and one for an over-tightened 12V accessory socket outlet.
- At what mileage do 2012 Accent engine problems usually appear?
- NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage of 82,300 for engine-related complaints, compared to an overall median failure mileage of 60,500 for the model year.
- How does the 2012 Accent compare to other years?
- The 2012 Accent's complaint index of 94 is worse than most other years; only the 2013 Accent scores higher at 100. Years like 2018 through 2021 score much lower and carry Best verdicts.