NHTSA vehicle safety data

2012 Hyundai Accent Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2012 Hyundai Accent has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 153 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Hyundai dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2012 Hyundai Accent, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2012 Hyundai Accent owner complaints

Owners have filed 153 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Hyundai Accent, describing incidents dated July 20, 2011 to June 26, 2026.

Most-cited components

  • Engine 39 complaints
  • Service Brakes 37 complaints
  • Electrical System 24 complaints
  • Unknown or Other 19 complaints
  • Vehicle Speed Control 18 complaints
  • Air Bags 17 complaints

Of the 153 complaints on file, 13 report a crash and 8 a fire; across all 153 complaints, owners report 13 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11755627 · Filed

    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

  • ODI #11740739 · Filed

    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 occupants at risk of a rear-end collision. The sudden breakdown was immediately…

  • ODI #11718560 · Filed

    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 failed to function properly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic…

Read all 153 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2012 Hyundai Accent in 1 investigation. Audit Queries and Equipment Queries are administrative investigations: they look at whether companies complied with federal vehicle safety requirements, such as reporting, recall and certification rules, not at a possible vehicle defect. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

ABS Unit May Cause Engine Compartment Fire

NHTSA #23V651000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — Control Unit/Module · NHTSA notice

Reported September 22, 2023 · Hyundai Motor America

Potentially affected: 1,649,478 vehicles

Repair completion: 31.69% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Hyundai campaign 251 · Owners notified April 10, 2024

Recall group: Hyundai and Kia ABS module fires

Park outside only — fire risk while parked indoors or near structures.

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Accessory Power Outlet May Overheat

NHTSA #20V393000 · Equipment — Electrical · NHTSA notice

Reported July 2, 2020 · Hyundai Motor America

Potentially affected: 272,126 vehicles

Repair completion: 49.72% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Hyundai campaign 193 · Owners notified September 28, 2020 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

An overheated accessory outlet increases the risk of fire.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Other Hyundai Accent model years

Check your 2012 Hyundai Accent VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Hyundai Accent at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Hyundai VIN