YearToAvoid

2016 Hyundai Accent Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

67/100

#5 most-complained of 13 Accent years

The 2016 Hyundai Accent ranks 5th worst out of 13 model years, with 100 NHTSA complaints and a Complaint Index of 67, earning a Caution verdict. Engine problems lead at 38% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 91,689.5 miles.

Complaints
100
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
7 / 3
Injuries / deaths
8 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
30.5
26.5 city / 36.5 hwy

Top 2016 Hyundai Accent problems

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

  1. Engine38 (38%)
  2. Airbags29 (29%)
  3. Electrical System28 (28%)
  4. Other15 (15%)
  5. Brakes12 (12%)
  6. Structure & Body11 (11%)
  7. Steering10 (10%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (5%)
  9. Fuel System4 (4%)
  10. Transmission & Powertrain3 (3%)

What owners report

  • Airbags fail to deploy during frontal, side, or rear-end collisions, sometimes at highway speeds around 55 mph.
  • Owners report airbags not deploying even in crashes involving broken windshields and structural damage to the vehicle.
  • Some vehicles caught fire while driving, including one incident with sparks and flames from under the hood on a highway.
  • Brakes make a loud noise when coming to a complete stop, and acceleration from a stop feels sluggish.
  • The vehicle lacks a spare tire or tools, leaving drivers without a way to fix a flat in remote areas.
  • Steering feels loose or sloppy at highway speeds, requiring constant correction to keep the car from drifting.
2016 Hyundai Accent complaints: complaints filed per quarter112016 Q22017 Q42019 Q12020 Q22021 Q42023 Q12024 Q32025 Q4
157 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2016 Q2 to 2026 Q3; peak 2023 Q3 (11).

2016 Hyundai Accent recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2016 Hyundai Accent fuel economy and fuel cost

City
26.5 MPG
Highway
36.5 MPG
Combined
30.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,125
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.

2016 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
2014Avoid8379130.5
2015Avoid7570230.5
2016Caution67100030.5
2017Caution5868030.5
2018Best019131.5

All Hyundai Accent years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Hyundai Accent reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2016 Accent has a Complaint Index of 67 and ranks 5th worst among 13 model years, earning a Caution verdict relative to other Accent years.
What is the biggest problem with the 2016 Hyundai Accent?
Engine problems are the top complaint area, making up 38% of all complaints, with a median failure mileage of 91,689.5 miles.
Does the 2016 Hyundai Accent have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2016 Hyundai Accent.
Are there airbag issues with the 2016 Hyundai Accent?
Airbags are the second largest complaint category at 29% of complaints, with multiple owners reporting airbags failing to deploy in crashes.
How does the 2016 Accent compare to other years?
The 2016 Accent's Complaint Index of 67 is lower than 2012 and 2013 (both Avoid years with indexes of 92 and 100), but higher than 2018, 2020, and 2021, which rank as Best years.

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.