2013 Hyundai Accent Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2013 Hyundai Accent, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes4121.8%
- Engine3418.1%
- Electrical189.6%
- Airbags147.4%
- Driver assistance126.4%
- Powertrain (other)115.9%
- Suspension84.3%
- Steering84.3%
- Other / unspecified84.3%
- Exterior lighting73.7%
- Body & structure52.7%
- Seat belts52.7%
- Fuel system52.7%
- Tires & wheels52.7%
- Interior & seats42.1%
- Visibility21.1%
- Transmission10.5%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
The incident started August 15, 2025, I was driving my car and the traction light came on I stopped and turned it off. I proceeded to drive it after that and came home. Then I noticed my brake lights were constantly on so I took a piece of cardboard and folded it in a few folds and put it between the brake pedal and the brake switch it turned it off. I then proceeded the next day to drive my car it was doing fine until my caliper seized on my rotor and left me stuck on the side of the road, I then called a mobile mechanic he came out replaced the caliper on the left front driver side it still did not unseize my rotor for my caliper to move freely so he installed a new master cylinder it worked for 2 days then I was always driving it felt like the tire was falling off the car a lot of shaking and bouncing. So I parked it that unfortunately sees the caliper on the rotor again three times. I had a new caliper put on it worked for a week my traction light was off. And then my traction light came back on as I was driving it seized up again I've replaced a lot of fuses, new Masters cylinder, new caliper, new brake switch. I'm at a loss help me!!
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Accent. 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 not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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)
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.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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)
Due to the recall of the ABS fuse I believe it has caused a electrical short and that's why my junction box does not work, also I had problems with slow acceleration almost causing me to get hit.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON 5/15/2013 MY DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN A 1 VEHICLE ACCIDENT ON INTERSTATE 40 EAST IN AMARILLO TEXAS. SHE WAS DRIVING A 2013 HYUNDAI ACCENT LEASED NEW IN FEBRUARY. THIS WAS A VIOLENT CRASH IN WHICH THE CAR ROLLED NUMEROUS TIMES. NOT ONE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. NEITHER HYUNDAI NOR THE DEALER SEEMED WORRIED ABOUT THE SITUATION. I SPOKE WITH BOTH HYUNDAI AND AMARILLO HYUNDAI AND WAS BLOWN OFF. SAFETY APPARENTLY IS NOT THEIR PRIORITY, JUST THE SALE OF AN UNSAFE PRODUCT. *JS
MY DAUGHTERS WERE IN A THREE CAR ACCIDENT ON 13 JUNE 2019. THEY WERE REAR ENDED WHICH CAUSED THEM TO HIT ANOTHER CAR IN THE REAR; NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THEY SUFFER FROM NECK PAINS, SHOULDER PAINS, BACK PAINS, AND HEADACHES. WHY INSTALL AIRBAGS IF THE ARE GOING TO BE NO USE DURING AN ACCIDENT?!? I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED IN HYUNDAI!!!
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
The incident started August 15, 2025, I was driving my car and the traction light came on I stopped and turned it off. I proceeded to drive it after that and came home. Then I noticed my brake lights were constantly on so I took a piece of cardboard and folded it in a few folds and put it between the brake pedal and the brake switch it turned it off. I then proceeded the next day to drive my car it was doing fine until my caliper seized on my rotor and left me stuck on the side of the road, I then called a mobile mechanic he came out replaced the caliper on the left front driver side it still did not unseize my rotor for my caliper to move freely so he installed a new master cylinder it worked for 2 days then I was always driving it felt like the tire was falling off the car a lot of shaking and bouncing. So I parked it that unfortunately sees the caliper on the rotor again three times. I had a new caliper put on it worked for a week my traction light was off. And then my traction light came back on as I was driving it seized up again I've replaced a lot of fuses, new Masters cylinder, new caliper, new brake switch. I'm at a loss help me!!
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the vehicle had experienced unintended acceleration on several occasions. After parking the vehicle in the garage and switching to the park position, the vehicle had experienced unintended acceleration and crashed into the back wall of the garage. The cause of the failure was not determined. No injuries were reported. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The vehicle was examined by an independent mechanic but the no cause no problem was found. The failure mileage was 2,154.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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!
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
Tech foud rust all over the undecarriage and to fix the issue with the torsion axle assembly, it was decide to replace all the torsion axle assembly and other items. The Campaign 992 recall was initiated because Hyundai acknowledged that the underbody corrosion protection applied to certain vehicles was insufficient. The torsion axle assembly was before the Campaign 992 recall. A rembusment for that was submitted and approved by Hyundai but suddley they reject it.
After driving over a train track at low speed the front passenger coil spring snapped and it ripped up the tire. The car is not drivable. It seems that this has happened to other models around the same year and it shouldn’t have failed at only 110K miles.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
This complainant is the Owner of a Hyundai Accent 2013 GLS. The car use to drive fine until about a month ago, while I was stepping on the brake to come to a stop, the steering wheels sharply moved into the other lane. This situation got even dangerous this last week when the vehicle started drifting on the high way. I reported to a MIDAS mechanic who agreed this is a safety hazard. This needs to be checked by Hyundai.
When you start the car and touch the steering wheel, it vibrates hard, and the 2 front tires. while driving you can barely keep the car on the road it seems the steering wheel has little or no control. It gets better after you drive a bit, but still vibrates and while parked the steering wheel moves on its on. Lastly after turning the car off the steering wheel and tires still vibrates for about 2-5 seconds afterwards.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
Stuck in deep snow long ride share gig service high mileage 247924
This complainant is the Owner of a Hyundai Accent 2013 GLS. The car use to drive fine until about a month ago, while I was stepping on the brake to come to a stop, the steering wheels sharply moved into the other lane. This situation got even dangerous this last week when the vehicle started drifting on the high way. I reported to a MIDAS mechanic who agreed this is a safety hazard. This needs to be checked by Hyundai.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
ALL THREE BRAKE LIGHTS WENT OUT. WE TRIED EVERY BASIC FIX BUT OUR PERSONAL MECHANIC SAYS POWER IS NOT GOING THROUGH THE CONTROL MODULE AND WE WILL NEED TO HAVE IT SPECIALLY REPAIRED BY A HYUNDAI PROFESSIONAL. WE RECIEVED A CITATION BECAUSE OUR BRAKE LIGHTS UNKNOWINGLY WENT OUT AND NONE OF THE OBVIOUS FIXES SUCH AS BULBS, FUSES, OR BRAKES SWITCH REPLACEMENT AMMENDED THE ISSUE. WE ARE AT A LOSS AS TO HOW TO FIX THIS BUT SAW RECALLS ON OTHER HYUNDAI MODELS BUT NOT THIS ONE. WE ARE THINKING THIS IS A SIMILAR PROBLEM. THIS HAS LITERALLY RUINED OUR LIVES. WE 100% DEPEND ON THIS VEHICLE AND NOW WE HAVE NOTHING.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CAR IS HAS A VERY LOW BODY. AS SUCH, IT GETS DAMAGED EVERY TIME THE CAR GOES OVER A BUMP. THE CAR HAS NOT YET HIT 100,000 MILES AND IT IS ALREADY FALLING APART. I REACHED OUT TO HYUNDAI AND ASKED THEM TO TAKE A LOOK BUT THEY DECLINED. *TR
OUR 2013 HYUNDAI ACCENT CAUGHT ON FIRE WAS BURNT SO BADLY THAT THE PASSENGER FRONT TTIRE MELTED. THE FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY 7 HOURS IN THE PARKING LOT AT WORK WHEN IT WAS REPORTED TO BE ON FIRE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
I suddenly jammed my breaks to avoid an accident and my seat belt came undone. I flew foward in my seat. Now the seat belt (driver) comes undone every time I have a sudden stop.
My seatbelt has been releasing on its own. Every time I get in the car, I make sure to firmly press the seatbelt into the latch and then pull on it to make sure it is secure. However, it still releases after 15-30 minutes of driving. I'm worried that in the event of an accident, the seatbelt would not stay buckled and I could be injured or ejected from the vehicle. Others have had the same issue (https://www.carproblemzoo.com/hyundai/accent/seat-belt-problems.php). The seatbelt and latch are still intact in my car, so they would be available for inspection if needed.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
Due to the recall of the ABS fuse I believe it has caused a electrical short and that's why my junction box does not work, also I had problems with slow acceleration almost causing me to get hit.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
Fast fraud lease agreement during initial payment part removed void out 10 min window no re-entry
The tire was never used, it was a saver spare tire. It was in the spare space in the trunk of the car. It was purchased within the last 4 months and sat in the car for only a few months total. The tire basically fell apart in the trunk. We discovered it and let the air out before it had a chance to explode, which it could have in a hot trunk. I contacted Firestone. They told me to bring the tire to Discount Tire, in Prescott AZ. Discount Tire contacted Firestone. Firestone said there was no warranty on spare tires.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that the driver’s and passenger’s side sun visors failed to stay in the upright position. The dealer was contacted but was unable to schedule an appointment to inspect the vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted and filed a complaint. The manufacturer then stated that the vehicle was not covered under warranty. The failure mileage was 37,824.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY FRONT AND REAR WINDSHIELDS CRACKED SIMULTANEOUSLY DURING 9 DEGREE TEMPS FROM ONLY THE DEFOGGER. THE FRONT CRACKED HORIZONTALLY THE LENGTH OF THE WINDSHIELD AT THE LEVEL OF THE VENT, AND THE BACK CRACKED FOUR INCHES HORIZONTALLY AT THE SPOT THE VENT BLOWS AT.
MY WIFE AND I, BOTH OVER SIXTY, WERE DRIVING BACK FROM OHIO TO CONNECTICUT ON THE PENN RT 80, IT WAS SNOWING AND THE ROAD SURFACE WAS SLIPPERY BUT DRIVE-ABLE. ABOUT FIVE MILES BEFORE THE MILESBURG, PA EXIT, THE CAR BEGAN TO LOOSE POWER AND THE WINDSHIELD AND THE WIPERS ICED UP SUCH THAT OUR VISIBILITY WAS IMPAIRED. I HAD TO STOP ON THE UNPLOWED SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY TO CLEAR THE ICE. IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS AS LARGE SPEEDING TRUCKS AND CARS WERE PASSING CLOSE BY. THE TRAFFIC INCLUDED AN IRATE PENN STATE PLOW DRIVER WHO BEEPED AND YELLED AT US. WHEN WE RESTARTED OUR TRIP, THE HYUNDAI ACCENT WOULD NOT GO FASTER THAN ABOUT 15 - 18 MILES PER HOUR. WE MANAGED TO GET OFF THE EXIT WHILE RIDING ON THE SNOW COVERED SHOULDER AFTER A VERY LONG AND STRENUOUS RIDE. THE NEXT DAY WE DROVE THE CAR, WHICH RAN PERFECTLY, TO THE HYUNDAI DEALER AT STATE COLLEGE. THE CAR CHECKED OUT FINE. THE DEALER GUESSED THAT THE CAR WENT INTO A "LIMP HOME" MODE BECAUSE OF THE ROAD CONDITIONS. I CONCERNED THAT THIS CAR COMPANY WOULD DESIGN A SYSTEM THAT WOULD PUT A COUPLE OF SENIOR CITIZENS IN SUCH LIFE THREATENING PERIL. I FEEL THAT WE WERE VERY LUCKY, ANY ONE OF THOSE BIG RIGS COULD HAVE EASILY CRUSHED US. OTHER DRIVERS, PUT IN THE SAME SITUATION, MAY NOT BE SO LUCKY. WHY WAS THIS UNSAFE "LIMP HOME" APPROVED BY THE GOVERNMENT? *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
2013 HYUNDAI ACCENT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER INFORMED HER THIS WAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED BEFORE THE WARRANTY EXPIRES.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .