YearToAvoid

2013 Hyundai Accent Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

100/100

#1 most-complained of 13 Accent years

The 2013 Hyundai Accent ranks worst of 13 model years, with a complaint index of 100 and 141 complaints. Brakes (32%) and Engine (29%) are the top problem areas, with one brake-related recall covering engine compartment fire risk.

Complaints
141
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
16 / 9
Injuries / deaths
23 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
31.5
28 city / 37 hwy

Top 2013 Hyundai Accent problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Brakes45 (32%)
  2. Engine41 (29%)
  3. Electrical System22 (16%)
  4. Suspension, Wheels & Tires19 (13%)
  5. Other16 (11%)
  6. Airbags14 (10%)
  7. Transmission & Powertrain12 (9%)
  8. Structure & Body9 (6%)
  9. Steering8 (6%)
  10. Fuel System5 (4%)

What owners report

  • Airbags fail to deploy in frontal or angled collisions even during hard impacts, including animal strikes and pole crashes.
  • Owners report the engine catching fire while driving or after the car has been parked for several hours, sometimes with no prior warning.
  • The AEB warning light comes on shortly before an engine fire starts, according to one owner.
  • A vehicle fire started in the engine compartment and spread badly enough to melt a front tire.
  • One owner reported the gas pedal going to the floor when trying to shut the car off, causing a low-speed collision.
2013 Hyundai Accent complaints: complaints filed per quarter232012 Q42014 Q32016 Q32018 Q32020 Q22022 Q32024 Q32026 Q3
199 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2012 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2023 Q4 (23).

2013 Hyundai Accent recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. 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.

2013 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.

2013 compared with other Accent years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2011Good3338130
2012Avoid92153231.5
2013Avoid100141131.5
2014Avoid8379130.5
2015Avoid7570230.5

All Hyundai Accent years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Hyundai Accent reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2013 Accent has the highest complaint index (100) of the 13 model years covered, with 141 complaints and a verdict of Avoid relative to other Accent years.
What are the biggest problems with the 2013 Hyundai Accent?
Brakes account for 32% of complaints (45 total, median mileage 47,500) and Engine issues account for 29% (41 total, median mileage 59,992). Electrical System problems make up 16% of complaints.
Does the 2013 Hyundai Accent have a recall?
Yes. NHTSA recall 23V651000 covers the brakes and advises owners to park outside and away from structures until the fire-risk repair is completed.
How does the 2013 Accent compare to other model years?
The 2013 Accent has a complaint index of 100, the worst among the years listed. By comparison, 2020 and 2021 have complaint indexes of 17 and 8 and are rated Best.
What is the fuel economy of the 2013 Hyundai Accent?
The EPA rates the 2013 Accent at 31.5 mpg combined (28 city / 37 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,075.

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.