2013 Hyundai Accent Engine Problems

My name is [XXX] and I am filing a complaint against The Auto Factory in [XXX] . In December 2024 I purchased a 2013 Hyundai Accent (VIN: [XXX] ) from this dealership. I financed the vehicle and have been making my payments on time every month. Recently the car developed a serious engine problem and is no longer drivable. While looking into the situation I discovered that my vehicle has been under an active federal safety recall since November 2023 — more than a year before I bought it. The recall (NHTSA Campaign #23V651000) involves a brake system defect that can cause an engine fire while the car is parked or being driven. Owners are advised not to park near homes or buildings. The dealership never told me about this recall. It was never fixed before they sold it to me. I had no idea I was buying a car with a known fire risk. When I called the dealer to address this, the representative told me they are “not responsible for the car after this long.” The defect existed over a year before I even purchased the vehicle. I am now making loan payments on a car I cannot drive and cannot safely park near my home. I have sent the dealer a formal complaint in writing and a Chapter 93A demand letter requesting a buyback or full loan payoff. They have not responded in good faith. I am asking the Attorney General’s office to investigate this dealer’s sales practices and help me reach a fair resolution. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11737034

Incident

May 11, 2026

My 2013 Hyundai Accent with 130K miles is experiencing excessive oil consumption. I'm replacing 1.5+ quarts per month to keep it at the full mark on the dipstick. After some research, it appears that lawsuits and Technical Service Bulletins have been issued to address the concerns, but the dealer says my vehicle does not qualify for these warranty/goodwill repairs. TSB 23-EM-008H, as an example, seems to apply to my vehicle. Can this be investigated please? I believe this vehicle qualifies for warranty/goodwill repairs and/or engine replacement.

NHTSA ID

11694030

Incident

Oct 17, 2025

Sunday, while I was sitting in my car I noticed smokes coming from the hood. I then noticed it getting thicker and I saw a flame under the steering wheel. I called the fire department. While I was waiting, the car engulfed into flames and was completely burnt. I wasn’t notified about a recall on the car. I had to find out on my own on 12/14/2024. The incident happened 12/08/2024. I filed a police report and had to get the car towed. I can contact the police department for the report number, I only received a card.

NHTSA ID

11630707

Incident

Dec 8, 2024

I was driving my vehicle on the highway and all of the sudden I got a low oil light, check engine light, and the vehicle shut down in the middle of moving traffic. It turns out my vehicle has the same oil consumption issue as the other vehicles listed in the Engine II Class Action settlement. Please make them issue a recall and add Accents to the model list.

NHTSA ID

11611554

Incident

Aug 27, 2024

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that Roadside Assistance jumpstarted the vehicle. Additionally, the driver’s side sun visor exploded. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the dealer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. VIN tool confirms parts not available. The failure mileage was approximately 89, 000.

NHTSA ID

11555000

Incident

Oct 17, 2023

Mileage

89,000 mi

I was driving home with my children from the store, when my car started smoking, shut off, and the engine caught on fire. I barely made it out of the car with my toddlers before the whole thing was engulfed, and I lost all of my money, cards, and the majority of our clothing, as it had been in the trunk after having finished washing it at the laundromat up the street.

NHTSA ID

11546762

Incident

Jul 28, 2023

Engine has been causing a knock of some sort making the check engine light to constantly come on. Engine is the same engine as the Kia soul and those engines have a full recall to be replaced, the recall needs too be extended too the Hyundai accents. The engine began making the issue before 70 thousand miles as all mechanics only saying it's just a sensor when I the driver can hear a klack when driving after a half hour.

NHTSA ID

11543549

Incident

Apr 3, 2019

Oil consumption and engine failure

NHTSA ID

11517243

Incident

Sep 1, 2022

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she heard a knocking sound coming from the vehicle before the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light illuminated, and the check oil light intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine failed to receive the oil and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then towed to another independent mechanic where it was also diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall and the contact was provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA ID

11498060

Incident

Dec 5, 2022

Mileage

120,000 mi

Engine failure due to bearing wear causing abrupt failure. Loss control of vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11489887

Incident

Jan 4, 2022

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start up after multiple attempts. The contact diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed him that the vehicle was not under warranty since he was not the original owner. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage 80,323. The consumer stated the engine was replaced at the owner's expense.

NHTSA ID

11486703

Incident

Jul 19, 2022

Mileage

80,323 mi

Engine consumes oil which if left unchecked could lead to engine failure. It is well documented that many Hyundai models are experiencing excessive oil consumption. My daughter's vehicle fortunately warned through the oil pressure light that there was an issue. Back in Dec 2021, she took the Accent for an oil change at which point the technician was shocked there was no oil in the oil pan. This could have led to serious engine failure. My daughter lives in Los Angeles where she travels often on multi-lane highways. This was brought to a Hyundai dealership for inspection. After conducting oil consumption tests (4x), it was determined the engine is consuming over 2 qts/1,000 miles. About a week ago, Dealer submitted for approval of engine replacement under goodwill as the warranty expired already. Hyundai denied it. I wrote to corporate to appeal and they denied it again stating the car is out of warranty. This is unacceptable. Their engines are defective. My research shows many Hyundai models suffer from the same issue. No recalls have been done. A class action lawsuit is now in play against Hyundai. NHTSA should force Hyundai to repair all affected engines. Furthermore, Hyundai is compelling consumers to go through arbitration which is unacceptable.

NHTSA ID

11484901

Incident

Dec 20, 2021

My engine is always topped off on oil and fluids now all of a sudden a have a rattling and am terrified to go anywhere because I feel like my engine is going to blow up.

NHTSA ID

11427246

Incident

Jul 30, 2021

SEPTEMBER 2020 THE CAR WOULD NOT START AFTER SITTING FOR AWHILE, I RECENTLY HAD REPLACED THE BATTERY. ONCE I GOT THE CAR TO START, WHEN. I SLOWED THE CAR CUT OFF WHILE I WAS ON A BUSY STREET, IT'S NOT THE ALTERNATOR EVERYTHING WAS STILL ON IN THE CAR. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED BEFORE THE CAR CUT OFF. GOT STARTED AGAIN, WAS ABLE TO DRIVE. I'VE REPLACED FUEL PUMP, CAM SHAFT SENSORS, NEW BATTERY. ANY TIME I DRIVE IT THE CAR CUTS OUT WHEN I AM AT A STOP LIGHT, THE CAR LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, AND HAVE TO CHANGE THE OIL MORE OFTEN THAN 3000 MILES. I FIND THAT I HAVE TO TOP MY OIL MONTHLY. MY CHECK ENGINE COMES ON RANDOMLY AND GOES OFF RANDOMLY. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO HYUNDAI REGARDING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, THEY STATED IT WAS A SENSOR ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11397489

Incident

Jan 8, 2021

Mileage

120,000 mi

CUSTOMER STATES THAT THERE IS A RATTLING NOISE UPON START UP. IT IS MORE NOTICEABLE WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD, UPON STARTING. CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE NOISE CAN BE HEARD IN SPEEDS LOWER THEN 40 MPH. WE HAVE NOT SERVICED THIS VEHICLE IN OVER A YEAR AND THE VEHICLE HAS GONE 25,000 MILES SINCE THAT TIME. CUSTOMER STATES THAT SHE RECENTLY WENT TO THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS NOISE (RATTLING NOISE WHICH IS LOUDER WHEN STARTING THE ENGINE WHEN COLD). THE DEALERSHIP LOOKED IT OVER AND SAID THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE ENGINE. SHE AGAIN TOLD THEM THAT THIS NOISE IS NOTICEABLE TO HER. THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN TOLD HER THAT THEY DID NOT FIND ANY FAULT WITH THE ENGINE.WHEN STARTED FIRST THING IN THE MORNING HAS A KNOCKING NOISE SOUNDS LIKE PISTON SLAP. REMOVE ALL SPARK PLUGS AND BORE SCOPE CYLINDERS AND FOUND THAT # 3 CYLINDER WALLS HAVE HEAVY CYLINDER WALL SCARRING AND OIL IS ON THE TOP OF THE PISTON (SEE PICTURES) .ENGINE IS DAMAGED AND WILL NEED TO BE REBUILT OR REPLACED.OIL LOOKS CLEAN. DID COMPRESSION CHECK AND ALL CYLINDERS WERE AT 125 LBS EXCEPT CYLINDER #3 WHICH WAS AT 100 LBS. HAS BEEN INTO THE SHOP FOR KNOCK SENSOR CODES AND WAS SENT TO THE DEALER FOR REFLASH TO CORRECT.(TSB 15-FL-003) DAMAGE HAS OCCURRED.

NHTSA ID

11396630

Incident

Jan 13, 2021

Mileage

132,636 mi

ON FEBRUARY 24, 2020 I WAS TRAVELING ON I-495 SOUTH DURING PEAK HOUR TRAFFIC AT APPROXIMATELY 8AM WHEN MY 2013 HYUNDAI ACCENT BEGAN TO LOSE POWER WITH NO WARNING. I MANAGED TO NEGOTIATE THROUGH TWO LANES OF HIGHWAY TRAFFIC TO THE BREAK DOWN LANE WHERE THE CAR WENT COMPLETELY DEAD. I WAITED A HALF HOUR ON A BUSY HIGHWAY TO BE TOWED TO THE CLOSEST HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. THEY CHECKED THE CAR AND FOUND METAL DEBRIS SCATTERED ALL OVER THE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE ENGINE WAS IRREPARABLE AND I WOULD NEED A NEW ENGINE FOR $5000 WHICH I COULD NOT AFFORD.

NHTSA ID

11377475

Incident

Feb 24, 2020

Mileage

125,000 mi

CAR WOULD RANDOMLY SHUT OFF OR STALL WHILE BEING DRIVEN; CAR WOULD NOT START UP OR TURN OVER RIGHT AFTER THE INCIDENT OCCURS. HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES AFTER BRINGING IT TO THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP; GETTING THE CAR BACK AND SAYING THAT THEY CAN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM WHILE IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE CAUSE OF THIS INCIDENT IS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

11331337

Incident

Mar 11, 2020

Mileage

52,600 mi

SPARK KNOCK DUE TO TIMING ERROR IN ECU DEALERSHIP NEEDS TO SEND RECALL NOTICE TO DO FREE UPDATE

NHTSA ID

11320965

Incident

Apr 1, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI ACCENT. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ID

11289941

Incident

Nov 4, 2019

Mileage

120,000 mi

KNOCK SENSOR MESSED UP AND IS CAUSING THE CRANK SENSOR TO MESS UP ALSO. MY CAR WILL DIE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHILE DRIVE AND IT'S VERY DANGEROUS. IT WILL TAKE ROUGHLY 15 MINUTES TO START SOMETIMES.

NHTSA ID

11241550

Incident

Feb 20, 2019

Mileage

73,000 mi

WAS RELIGIOUS ON MY 3000 MILE OIL CHANGES. AND ONE DAY THE OIL LIGHT CAM E ON AND PUT A QUART IN AND WENT FOR OIL CHANGE AT DEALER NEXT DAY...BONE DRY. IT SRARTED NIGHT NIGHT BEFORE AND WAS TOLD ITS IT STORING OIL OR GETTING STICK SOMEWHERE SINCE NO LEAK. NOW NEW ENGINE IS NEEDED.

NHTSA ID

11221548

Incident

Jun 14, 2019

Mileage

130,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 HYUNDAI ACCENT. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP AND THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 92,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11170791

Incident

Nov 30, 2018

Mileage

92,000 mi

ENGINE/POWER TRAIN THE ENGINE WENT OUT ON MY VEHICLE WHILE I WAS TRAVELING FROM HOUSTON TO DALLAS TEXAS ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. I HAD IT TOWED TO HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP WHO DIAGNOSED THE ENGINE PROBLEM. I WAS ASKED TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION THAT SHOWED OIL CHANGE MAINTENANCE WAS BEING PERFORMED FROM 70K-82K MILES. I PROVIDED THAT INFORMATION TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY CONDUCTED A PRE-APPROVAL AND SENT IT OVER TO HYUNDAI CORPORATE. AFTER SEVERAL DAYS WAITING AND STRANDED IN DALLAS, I RECEIVED THE NEWS THAT THE CLAIM WAS DENIED FOR IMPROPER MAINTENANCE. UNFORTUNATELY, I WAS NOT TOLD WHAT TYPE OF MAINTENANCE WAS NEEDED SINCE I PROVIDED THE DOCUMENTATION REQUESTED THAT SHOWED I DID HAVE MAINTENANCE. I CALLED HYUNDAI CORPORATE TO FILE A COMPLAINT AND GET A BETTER REASON FOR DENIAL. I WAS TOLD I SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED A CALL WITH MORE INFORMATION AND I STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY FEEDBACK. I VISITED A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP BACK IN NOVEMBER WHO TOLD ME MY ENGINE WAS GOING BAD AND PROVIDE PAPERWORK. I WAS NOT INFORMED BY THE DEALERSHIP WHEN THIS INFORMATION WAS NEEDED AND HOW SOON. I TOOK THE CARE FOR AN OIL CHANGE AFTER VISITING THE DEALERSHIP AS IT WAS TIME AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF. I FEEL HYUNDAI IS NOT HONORING THEIR WARRANTY FOR MY CAR ALTHOUGH I PROVIDED THE INFORMATION THEY NEEDED TO SHOW I WAS KEEPING UP WITH OIL CHANGES. I HAVE NO VEHICLE AND PURCHASED THIS CURRENT VEHICLE UNDER THE IMPRESSION THEY WOULD HONOR THEIR 100,000 WARRANTY. MY CAR IS UNDER 100,000 SO I'M NOT UNDERSTANDING WHY THEY ARE NOT FIXING MY ENGINE.

NHTSA ID

11166126

Incident

Dec 31, 2018

Mileage

82,000 mi

AS I GO UP A HILL OR RAPIDLY ACCELERATE ON AN INCLINE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON. THE PROBLEM POINTS TO THE KNOCK SENSOR (CODE P0326) BEING AT FAULT. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN OFTEN BUT WHEN IT DOES IT IS DISCONCERTING. I REPLACED THE KNOCK SENSOR WITH A NEW OEM PART, BUT IT TOO ACTS THE SAME AS THE OLD ONE. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME $90 TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND THEN ANY LABOR/PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR IT. HOWEVER, I HAVE READ SEVERAL REPORTS ONLINE ABOUT A SOFTWARE UPDATE, FLASHING THE ECU HAS FIXED THE PROBLEM. IF THIS IS SO, SHOULDN'T THIS BE A REASON FOR A RECALL?

NHTSA ID

11121621

Incident

Aug 19, 2018

Mileage

97,000 mi

I NOTICE MY CAR HAD A 'KNOCKING'/ 'PINGING' SOUND AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO GET SERVICED ABOUT 7 MONTHS AGO. THE DEALER CLAIMED THEY 'COULDN'T REPLICATE THE NOISE' WHICH IS FALSE BECAUSE I TOOK ONE OF THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES FOR A RIDE TO SHOW HIM THE NOISE. THEY DECIDED TO CLEAN THE INTAKE WHICH HELPED, BUT THE PRE DETONATIONS ARE BACK AGAIN, THIS TIME THEY ARE MORE NOTICEABLE. I'VE READ SEVERAL ACCENT OWNERS IN FORUMS COMPLAINING ABOUT PINGING, KNOCKING, AND PRE DETONATIONS. HYUNDAI MUST ACT ON THIS ISSUE!

NHTSA ID

11096959

Incident

May 20, 2018

Mileage

49,000 mi