The most-reported Accent run is KMHCG45CX1U (2001 builds) with 11 complaints, 4.8× the typical run. Air bags problems make up 23% of reports; 2016 is the worst model year at 3.5 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 25 recall campaigns for Accent model years 1995–2022.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Hyundai Accent has 724 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 3% of every Accent complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KMHCG45CX1U•••••• | 2001 | 2 | — | |
| KMHCT4AE8GU•••••• | 2016 | — | 1 | |
| KMHCT4AE4HU•••••• | 2017 | — | 1 | |
| KMHCT4AE5GU•••••• | 2016 | 2 | — | |
| KMHCT4AEXGU•••••• | 2016 | — | 1 | |
| KMHCN46C19U•••••• | 2009 | — | — | |
| KMHCT5AE7CU•••••• | 2012 | — | — | |
| KMHCT4AE1HU•••••• | 2017 | 1 | 2 | |
| KMHCG45C92U•••••• | 2002 | 1 | — | |
| KMHCT4AE2GU•••••• | 2016 | — | — | |
| KMHCT4AE7HU•••••• | 2017 | 1 | — | |
| KMHCG45C72U•••••• | 2002 | — | — |
Each of the other 712 Accent runs has 8 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 74 Accent VINs so far, most often 2012, 2015, 2017 builds; 3 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Hyundai Accent the gap between build years is 2.7×: a 2016 car draws 3.5 complaints per run, a 2004 one 1.3.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 17 | 9 | 2 | |
| 2021 | 16 | 8 | — | |
| 2020 | 11 | 8 | 2 | |
| 2019 | 31 | 9 | 2 | |
| 2018 | 18 | 10 | — | |
| 2017 | 65 | 19 | 7 | |
| 2016 | 99 | 28 | 7 | |
| 2015 | 66 | 25 | 6 | |
| 2014 | 76 | 38 | 12 | |
| 2013 | 129 | 47 | 12 | |
| 2012 | 141 | 43 | 12 | |
| 2011 | 27 | 19 | 2 | |
| 2010 | 66 | 26 | 4 | |
| 2009 | 83 | 34 | 6 | |
| 2008 | 77 | 32 | 10 | |
| 2007 | 75 | 33 | 8 | |
| 2006 | 35 | 13 | 2 | |
| 2005 | 40 | 22 | 7 | |
| 2004 | 24 | 18 | 10 | |
| 2003 | 29 | 16 | 10 |
Heaviest year here is 2016 at 3.5 complaints per run; lightest is 2004 at 1.3. The 2022 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 23% of everything Hyundai Accent owners report: Air Bags, 353 of 1,665 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 159 | 4 | |
| Service Brakes | 20 | 18 | |
| Engine | 2 | 27 | |
| Electrical System | 6 | 19 | |
| Power Train | 2 | — | |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 | 16 | |
| Suspension | 9 | — | |
| Hydraulic | 8 | 8 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 25 recall campaigns on the Hyundai Accent; the 6 below cover build years 2005 to 2022. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 23V651000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module | 2012–2015 |
| 13V113000 | Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch | 2006–2009 |
| 22V354000 | Seat Belts:front | 2020–2022 |
| 21V619000 | Latches/locks/linkages:trunk Lid:latch | 2018–2020 |
| 15V566000 | Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch | 2009–2011 |
| 09V280000 | Exterior Lighting | 2005–2007 |
23V651000 was opened in 2023 on cars built from 2012: 11 years on the road before the recall.
The Accent against its rivals
The Accent draws 2.3 complaints per production run; the Ford Focus 9.2, the Chevrolet Sonic 2 and the Mitsubishi Mirage G4 1.5.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Accent | 1,665 | 724 | 13.2% | |
| Ford Focus | 19,175 | 2,091 | 4.7% | |
| Chevrolet Sonic | 847 | 422 | 9.6% | |
| Mitsubishi Mirage G4 | 44 | 29 | 20.5% |
How serious were they
Of the 1,665 reports on the Hyundai Accent, 13.2% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Hyundai Accent | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 1,665 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 219 (13.2%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 64 (3.8%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 219 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 3 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 128% above the all-vehicle rate.
You know what it is. Find out what it's worth.
- Exact value for this VIN, adjusted for mileage
- The original window sticker and factory options
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
- Decode a whole list of VINs at once
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Hyundai Accent share of that is 1,665 complaints over 724 runs, 0.15% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Hyundai Accent VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 1,665 NHTSA complaints from 724 Accent runs and 25 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Accent production run has the most complaints?
KMHCG45CX1U, a 2001 build, with 11 complaints, 2 of them after a crash. The typical Accent run has 2.3.
Which Accent years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2016 is heaviest at 3.5 complaints per run and 2004 lightest at 1.3.
Does the Accent get more complaints than the Ford Focus?
No: 2.3 complaints per production run for the Accent against 9.2 for the Ford Focus.
How many Accent complaints involve a crash?
13.2% of 1,665 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 64 involved a fire.
Mark ForCar as a preferred source and our data shows up first in your Google results. One click, no account.