2021 Hyundai Accent Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2021 Hyundai Accent has a complaint index of 6, the lowest among the 18 model years tracked, earning a Best verdict. It has 16 complaints, 4 recalls, and no crashes or deaths reported.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 6/100
- #17 of 18 Accent years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 16
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Seat Belts
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 34.5
- 31 city / 40 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2021 Hyundai Accent problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Seat Belts6 (38%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (31%)
- Engine4 (25%)
- Electrical System2 (13%)
- Brakes1 (6%)
- Steering1 (6%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the steering pulling to one side, requiring constant correction and creating a feeling the car could tip over on turns.
- Multiple owners describe seat belt pretensioner recall parts being unavailable for months despite dealer notification.
- Several owners report lug nuts and wheel studs cross-threading, corroding, or breaking during routine tire rotations at Hyundai dealerships.
- One owner describes the engine repeatedly failing to start, with the starter engaging but the engine not catching, even after replacing the battery.
2021 Hyundai Accent recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 22V354000May 19, 2022Seat Belts230,233 vehicles
Seat belts:front
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Accent, 2021-2022 Elantra, and 2021-2022 Elantra HEV vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioners may explode upon deployment.
Risk: An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, strike vehicle occupants, and result in injury.
Remedy: Dealers will secure the seat belt pretensioner(s) with a cap, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 28, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 229. This recall expands and replaces NHTSA recall numbers 21V-796, 22V-069, 22V-218, and 22V-123 for Accent, Elantra, and Elantra HEV vehicles. All Accent, Elantra, and Elantra HEV vehicles already repaired under the previous recalls will need to have the new remedy completed.
- NHTSA 22V311000May 6, 2022Steering2 vehicles
Steering:column
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Accent vehicles. A bolt in the steering column may not be secured properly, which can cause the steering column to detach from the steering rack and result in a loss of steering control.
Risk: Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the lower steering column u-joint retention bolt, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 5, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 226.
- NHTSA 22V069000Feb 9, 2022Seat Belts354 vehicles
Seat belts:pretensioner
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Accent vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioner(s) may explode upon deployment.
Risk: An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, striking vehicle occupants and resulting in injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 24, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 219. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 21V-796. This recall is replaced by NHTSA recall number 22V-354. Vehicles already repaired under this recall will need to have the new remedy completed.
2021 Hyundai Accent fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 31 MPG
- Highway
- 40 MPG
- Combined
- 34.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $1,875
- 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.
2021 compared with other Accent years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Hyundai Accent reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2021 Accent has a complaint index of 6, the lowest of any Accent model year, and carries a Best verdict.
- What problems does the 2021 Hyundai Accent have?
- Owners most often reported issues with seat belts, followed by suspension/wheels/tires and engine problems. NHTSA lists 16 total complaints for the year.
- Does the 2021 Hyundai Accent have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2021 Accent covering seat belt pretensioners, a steering column bolt, and a brake master cylinder defect. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2021 Accent compare to other Accent years?
- The 2021 model ranks 17th worst out of 18 years tracked, meaning only one year has fewer reported problems relative to complaints.
- Is the seat belt recall on the 2021 Accent serious?
- NHTSA's recall says the front seat belt pretensioners could explode upon deployment in a crash; multiple owners reported long waits for replacement parts.