RoadVitals

2006 Hyundai Accent

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
43
Latest Sep 1, 2020
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Apr 1, 2013
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2
1 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 43 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2006 Hyundai Accent, most frequently naming the airbags, visibility and brakes categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 34 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Airbags2347.9%
  • Visibility1122.9%
  • Brakes48.3%
  • Electrical36.3%
  • Exterior lighting24.2%
  • Fuel system12.1%
  • Engine12.1%
  • Seat belts12.1%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

Apr 1, 2013
1,712,336 units potentially affected
The defect: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. In September 2013, Hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
The risk: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110.
Hyundai Motor CompanyManufacturer number 110View on NHTSA.gov

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Jul 21, 2009
3,011 units potentially affected
The defect: HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 3,011 MODEL YEAR 2005-2007 ELANTRA, TUCSON, SONATA, AZERA AND ACCENT VEHICLES. A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO FAIL TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED OR MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED. A DEFECTIVE STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY ALSO AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE BRAKE-TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK FEATURE SO THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE SHIFT OUT OF THE "PARK" POSITION. IT MAY ALSO CAUSE THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) MALFUNCTION LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, AND IT MAY NOT DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.
The risk: ANY OF THESE MALFUNCTIONS COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI OF PUERTO RICO CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-787-999-4310.
HYUNDAI CARIBBEAN-PUERTO RICOManufacturer number 91B026View on NHTSA.gov

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

Apr 15, 2009
532,633 units potentially affected
The defect: HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 532,633 MY 2006-2007 ACCENT, ENTOURAGE, SONATA, MY 2007 AZERA, ELANTRA AND SANTA FE, MY 2005-2007 TUCSON AND MY 2007-2008 VERACRUZ VEHICLES. THE STOP LAMP SWITCH IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION. A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED OR MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED. A STOP LAMP SWITCH MALFUNCTION MAY ALSO AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE BRAKE-TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK FEATURE SO THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE SHIFTED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. IT MAY ALSO CAUSE THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) MALFUNCTION LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, AND IT MAY NOT DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.
The risk: ANY OF THESE MALFUNCTIONS, ALONE OR IN COMBINATION, MAY LEAD TO A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 29, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.
HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 092View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE09003ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

STOP LAMP SWITCH FAILURE

Opened Jan 14, 2009
Closed Apr 24, 2009

BY LETTER DATED APRIL 15, 2009, HYUNDAI NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 09V122) TO REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCHES ON MANY OF ITS MODEL YEAR 2005-2008 VEHICLES.SEE RECALL 09V122 FOR A COMPLETE LIST. THE AGENCY OPENED ITS INVESTIGATION BASED ON FIVE COMPLAINTS OF STOP LAMP FAILURE ACROSS SEVERAL 2007 HYUNDAI MODELS. THE AGENCY ALSO RECEIVED EARLY WARNING (EWR) REPORTS ON THIS ISSUE.MOST OF THOSE FAILURES WERE TRACED TO THE IMPROPER OPERATION OF THE STOP LAMP SWITCH THAT CONTROLS STOP LAMP ILLUMINATION.A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO LIGHT DURING BRAKING, OR ALTERNATIVELY, IT CAN CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO STAY LIT EVEN WHEN A DRIVER TAKES THE FOOT OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL. FAILURE OF THE STOP LAMPS TO ILLUMINATE PROPERLY CREATES THE HAZARD OF REAR END COLLISIONS WHEN DRIVERS FOLLOWING THE SUBJECT VEHICLE DO NOT RECOGNIZE THAT THE VEHICLE IS SLOWING OR STOPPING. HYUNDAI REPORTED ONE CRASH INCIDENT (A FRONTAL IMPACT), WITHOUT INJURY, THAT WAS ALLEGED TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THIS DEFECT.THE AGENCY REVIEWED THE INCIDENT AND CANNOT CONCLUDE THAT IT IS RELATED TO THIS DEFECT. THERE ARE OTHER POTENTIAL PROBLEMS RELATED TO FAILURE OF THE STOP LAMP SWITCH: FAILURE OF THE CRUISE CONTROL TO DISENGAGE, INTERFERENCE WITH PROPER FUNCTIONING OF ANTILOCK BRAKES AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, AND INABILITY TO MOVE THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER OUT OF PARK POSITION.BASED ON THE ABOVE SAFETY RECALL, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROLLed to recall 09V122000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Airbags
Filed Sep 1, 2020

GOT THE CAR WHEN MY MOM DIED IN 2015. SHE RECEIVED A RECALL ON THE AIR BAGS BUT WHEN I TOOK IT DOWN TO GET IT FIXED THE GUY TOLD ME AND MY DAUGHTER IN LAW THAT I WAS A WEEK TOO LATE TO GET IT FIXED AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT NOW IF I WANTED IT FIXED. I DON'T HAVE THE CARD THAT WAS MAILED ANYMORE BUT HOW IS THIS SAFE FOR ME, MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS?

NHTSA ID
11352669
Incident
May 1, 2015
Mileage
67,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 27, 2017

AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. HYUNDAI ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM. THE DEALER WILL NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE ISSUE WITHOUT A DIAGNOSTIC FEE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE A RECALL SO THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND ASSIST.

NHTSA ID
11048836
Incident
Nov 27, 2017
Mileage
101,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Mar 21, 2017

SUN VISORS BREAK OFF AT THE CONNECTION POINT AND AND THEN FLOP DOWN BLOCKING YOUR VIEW OF THE ROAD. THIS IS FROM JUST NORMAL USE. THE DRIVERS SIDE VISOR BROKE LAST YEAR. I HAD IT UNINSTALLED BECAUSE A NEW ONE, ( WITH SAME DEFECTIVE PLASTIC CONNECTION ), COSTS $150.. PLUS INSTALLATION. THE PASSENGER SIDE VISOR JUST BROKE OFF THIS MONTH.

NHTSA ID
10967658
Incident
Aug 20, 2015
Mileage
43,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 4, 2016

I HAVE A 2006 ACCENT. I RECENTLY FOUND OUT IT NEEDS A PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR PANEL REPLACED IN ORDER TO FIX THE AIRBAGS. (THAT IS, MAKE ANY OF THE AIRBAGS WORK) I JUST NOW LEARNED I HAVEN'T HAVEN'T HAD AIRBAGS FOR 2 YEARS.!!!! (ACTUALLY OUR KIDS HAVEN'T --OUR SONS HAD THE CAR AT COLLEGE, DRIVING HOME ON THE INTERSTATE FOR 2.5 HOURS - WITH NO AIRBAGS) THE LIGHT WAS ON. FIRST 2 YEARS AGO. I ASKED MY MECHANIC. THAT MECHANIC NEVER ALERTED ME THAT I HAD TO GO TO A DEALER. MY CURRENT MECHANIC DID - SO WE WENT TO THE HYUNDAI DEALER, PAYING THEIR $80 SERVICE FEE JUST FOR THEM TO TELL ME IT WILL COST ME AROUND $960 TO FIX IT!!! I KNOW FROM FORUMS THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND WE HAVE ALL BEEN TOLD ITS A $1000 TO FIX. JUST THE PART IS $700+!!!! I ALSO READ THAT HYUNDAI HAD AIRBAG PROBLEMS WITH 2006 SONATAS AND FIXED THEM. WHY NOT THE ACCENT???? WHY DON'T YOU HAVE TO STAND BEHIND A FAULTY PART ON MULTIPLE CARS? I HAVE READ OF MANY PEOPLE HAVING THIS ISSUE. THIS IS MY DILEMMA: IF I SELL THE CAR I HATE TO SELL A CAR WITH OUT AIRBAGS AND I WILL NOT LIE TO THE BUYER. IF I KEEP IT I HAVE TO FIX IT ---FOR OUR SAFETY. BUT PUT $1000 IN A CAR THAT IS ONLY WORTH $2500???

NHTSA ID
10913800
Incident
May 1, 2014
Mileage
94,000 mi
AirbagsFuel system
Filed Sep 14, 2016

I'M DRIVING MY CAR FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS NOW AND THE LIGHTS FOR THE AIR BAGS ARE STILL ON AND HAVE NEVER WENT OFF. SO I THOUGHT, SUPPOSEDLY MAY BE THE FUSE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BUT SO FAR TO THIS DATE I CANNOT DETERMINE WHAT'S THE ISSUE OTHER THAN A FAULTY AIR BAG SYSTEM. NO I HAVEN'T TAKEN THE CAR TO A DEALER YET, BUT I NEED TO KNOW AM I THE ONLY PERSON HAVING THIS ISSUE.I LOVE THE VEHICLE BESIDES ITS UNINTENTIONAL POOR GAS USAGE I AM A SATISFIED CUSTOMER. BUT PERHAPS MAYBE ITS TIME TO START SEARCHING FOR A MORE EFFICIENT NEWER CAR. BE CAREFUL WHEN BUYING USED CARS EVERYBODY.

NHTSA ID
10906751
Incident
Feb 4, 2015
Mileage
72,400 mi
Visibility
Filed Jan 8, 2016

THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUN VISORS ON THE 2006 ACCENT WILL NO LONGER STAY IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION. THE VISORS NOW HANG LOOSELY AND LIMIT VISIBILITY WHEN DRIVING, THE SWINGING BACK AND FORTH WHILE ACCELERATING AND BRAKING CAN BE DISTRACTING AND IS UNSAFE. I HAVE LOOKED TO PURCHASE THE ORIGINAL OEM PARTS TO REPLACE, BUT HAVE DISCOVERED THAT HYUNDAI NO LONGER USES THE ORIGINAL PARTS AND THAT NEW VISORS WAS MANUFACTURED. I HAVE FOUND SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FOR MULTIPLE HYUNDAI MODELS ON THIS SITE AND ON ARFC.ORG. IT APPEARS THAT HYUNDAI RECOGNIZED A FAULTY PART THAT LEADS TO LIMITED VISIBILITY AND DISTRACTION WHILE DRIVING BUT DID NOT ISSUE A RECALL. A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED.

NHTSA ID
10819091
Incident
Jun 10, 2015
Mileage
61,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 3, 2015

MY SON HAS A 2006 HYUNDAI ACCENT AND LAST WEEK THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT WENT ON AND HAS REMAINED ON EVER SINCE. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY OWNED BY MY FATHER AND HAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE READ OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE AND IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
10745875
Incident
Jul 27, 2015
Mileage
20,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Apr 30, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI ACCENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED LIT FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,500.

NHTSA ID
10713827
Incident
Nov 13, 2013
Mileage
24,500 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

DTN DL

AIR BAGS

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN). These inflators were not supplied, approved, or authorized by the vehicle manufacturers and have primarily been found in vehicles that previously experienced a crash and underwent airbag replacement using non-genuine parts. These dangerous inflators have ruptured during deployment, posing a serious risk of injury or death due to metal fragments entering the vehicle cabin. To date, Hyundai is aware of three people who have died while driving a Hyundai vehicle with one of these substandard replacement airbag inflators that deployed in what likely would have been a survivable crash. NHTSA has issued a public advisory urging vehicle owners and service professionals to have vehicles inspected if there is reason to believe that a non-genuine replacement airbag may have been installed. Vehicles with salvage or rebuilt titles, prior airbag deployments, or unknown repair histories may present a higher risk. NHTSA strongly cautions against self-inspection by vehicle owners and recommends inspection by trained technicians.

DTN DCS

AIR BAGS

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN), that have been identified in U.S. vehicles following prior crashes, theft, or non‑certified airbag replacements. These inflators are not approved for use, may rupture during deployment, and have caused serious injuries and fatalities. Please see attached announcement, provided by NHTSA, for more details.

25-BD-012H TSB

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. This TSB illustrates the various causes of condensation inside the lamp assembly. Lamp assembly replacement is NOT necessary in most cases. This condition can be eliminated by turning on the lamps with the engine running for several minutes or during normal driving operation.

24-BD-001H

VISIBILITY; VISIBILITY/WIPER

This bulletin contains information about the proper removal of the windshield wiper blade protective cover on all models. If the protective cover is not removed correctly, there is a possibility of the rubber insert and rail spring becoming partially separated on the inner side of the wiper blade, which could lead to poor wiping performance and/or possible scratching of the windshield glass. Follow the procedure in this bulletin to properly remove the windshield wiper blade protective cover on all new wiper blades.

23-EM-005H

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

This bulletin provides important checkpoint guidelines when performing engine oil and filter change services.

23-BD-007H

STRUCTURE:BODY

Hyundai applies a Paint Protection Film (PPF) on new vehicles before delivery to dealerships. It provides a barrier between the paint and contaminants, such as rail dust, acid rain, and industrial fallout. In rare cases, the paint can become clouded under the PPF. These spots are the result of moisture trapped between the PPF and the paint.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Hyundai Accent by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2022162054.5
2021164155.2
2020124163.4
2019291050.5
2018191056.1
2017680049.8
2016990042.8
2015692161.9
2014791155.2
20131401153.6
20121532158.4
2011381041.6
2010871040.6
20091012050.4
20081011043.4
2007883156.6
2006Viewing433152.0
2005491046.9
2004330047.2
2003370046.6
20021341046.9
20011122054.9
2000924055.8
1999611051.1
1998471148.6
1997552359.0
19961014363.0
19951425466.1
1994000
1993100
1992000
1991200

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.