2012 Hyundai Accent reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2012 Hyundai Accent has 153 complaints with NHTSA after 15 years, or 11 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Accent years here — over the median of the other years, which is 4. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Brake control module and Electrical.

Complaints

153

Per year

Recalls

Years on the road

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (36 of 153), then Electrical system (24) and Service brakes (20). Those filings include 13 that report a crash, 8 that report a fire, 10 that report an injury, and 1 that reports a death.

Next to 2013

The 2013 Accent has 141 complaints, 12 per year. The 2012 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2013.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2012 Hyundai Accent. How we count. Data as of 2026-10-16.

Recalls (2)

Recall Brake control module 2023-09-22 · NHTSA campaign 23V651000

Summary 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.

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.

Recall equipment, electrical 2020-07-02 · NHTSA campaign 20V393000

Summary 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.

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.

Complaints by component (153 total)

Engine

Electrical system

Service brakes

Speed control

Air bags

Hydraulic brakes

Fuel and propulsion system

Steering

Structure

Tires

Suspension

Electronic stability control (ESC)

Wheels

Engine and engine cooling

Air brakes

Visibility and wipers

Fuel system, gasoline

Seat belts

Exterior lighting

Fire-related

Powertrain

Show 13 more Show less

Crash-flagged

Fire-flagged

Injury reports

Death reports

Complaints filed per year

Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings

"1. ABS warning 2.Nothing happened just got an OBD scan from autozone and the abs code came up 3.Not sure 4.No 5.Abs light is not lit on the dash"
Service brakes · filed 2026-08-08
"While traveling at highway speeds on [XXX] with three passengers, the vehicle suddenly suffered a catastrophic internal engine failure (severe rod knock), forcing an emergency deceleration in active traffic that put all…"
Engine · filed 2026-05-28
"The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the clutch pedal traveled to the floorboard and the low oil warning light illuminated. Due to the failure, the brakes…"
Hydraulic brakes · filed 2026-02-17
"Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage…"
Electrical system · filed 2025-11-04
"UNKNOWN. I THINK THE ABS MODULE LIGHT APPEARED INSTANTLY ON THE DASHBOARD. IT'S THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES THAT AREN'T WORKING. I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED MY HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP WHEN I SAW A BRAKE LIGHT COME UP ON MY DASHBOARD…"
Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine · filed 2025-09-07

NHTSA crash ratings

Version	Overall	Front	Side	Rollover
2012 Hyundai Accent 4 DR FWD	4 stars	4 stars	4 stars	4 stars
2012 Hyundai Accent 5 HB FWD	4 stars	4 stars	4 stars	4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Annual fuel cost
Accent	1.6L, 4-cyl	Automatic 6-speed	Front-wheel drive	28	37	31 MPG	$2100
Accent	1.6L, 4-cyl	Manual 6-speed	Front-wheel drive	28	37	32 MPG	$2050

Specs and fitment

4th generation (RB), 2012–2017

Body styles Sedan

Oil 5W-20 or 5W-30 (1.6L Gamma) , 3.8 qt capacity

Tire size 185/65R15 to 195/55R16 (trim dependent)

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA campaign 23V651000. 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. An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury. 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.

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Next year 2013 Hyundai Accent See every Hyundai Accent model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Hyundai Accent reliable?

What are common problems with a 2012 Hyundai Accent?

Is the 2012 Hyundai Accent more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2013 Accent has 141 complaints, 12 per year. The 2012 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2013.

Has the 2012 Hyundai Accent been recalled?

The 2012 Hyundai Accent has 2 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2012 Hyundai Accent?

Owners have filed 153 complaints about the 2012 Hyundai Accent with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2012 Hyundai Accent get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2012 Hyundai Accent is 31.5 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Hyundai Accent take?

RB (2012-2017) 1.6L Gamma: 5W-20 or 5W-30. HC (2018-on) 1.6L Smartstream: 0W-20. Confirm the manual for your year.

What does NHTSA campaign 21V619000 cover on later Accents?

Certain 2018-2020 Accent vehicles (with other Hyundai models): the trunk latch may become damaged, preventing opening the trunk from the inside.

When did the HC-generation Accent start?

Model year 2018 on this site (after RB 2012-2017).