2012 Hyundai Accent

No photo available — body style shown for reference.

The Verdict

Worst problem area

Brakes

Brakes leads by volume: 41 of 153 complaints (27%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more deaths (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.

Complaints filed rose from 38 in 2011 to 153 in 2012.

Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology

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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History

Fuel cost, fuel economy, and complaint history by model-yearScroll sideways to see all 5 years. Fuel figures show the range across trims for years with more than one EPA-rated configuration.
Category20102011201220132014vs. 2012 Compact Cars
Annual fuel cost ($)2,000–2,1002,100–2,1501,950–2,0001,950–2,0002,000–2,100
Combined MPG30–3129–3031–3231–3230–31
City / Highway MPG27–28 / 34–3626–27 / 33–3528 / 3728 / 3726–27 / 36–37
CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi)287–296296–306278–287276–285285–289
Complaints filed873815314179Not compared
Recalls issued11211Not compared
Crash-involved complaints43131612Not compared
Fire-involved complaints00899Not compared
Injuries reported43132314Not compared
Deaths reported00100Not compared
Configurations compared33222

Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.

Common questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Hyundai Accent have?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.

What is the most common complaint about the 2012 Hyundai Accent?

Brakes: 41 of 153 NHTSA complaints (27%) mention it.

What gas mileage does the 2012 Hyundai Accent get?

EPA rates it 31–32 MPG combined across 2 configurations.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Hyundai Accent?

EPA estimates $1,950–$2,000 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.

EPA-Rated Configurations (2)

Every EPA-rated configuration on this page, one row each.A number tagged (low) or (high) is this page’s own cost-table figure of that name, above.
ConfigurationTransmissionCylindersDisplacementDrivetrainFuel TypeVehicle ClassCityHighwayCombinedAnnual Fuel CostCO₂
Configuration 1Automatic 6-spd41.6LFront-Wheel DriveRegularCompact Cars28 mpg37 mpg31 mpg (low)$2,000 (high)287 g/mi (high)
Configuration 2Manual 6-spd41.6LFront-Wheel DriveRegularCompact Cars28 mpg37 mpg32 mpg (high)$1,950 (low)278 g/mi (low)

Complaints by Category

Complaints by category, in the same fixed order on every page
CategoryComplaintsCrash-InvolvedFire-InvolvedInjuriesDeaths
Engine390720
Transmission & Drivetrain10000
Fuel System120100
Electrical240300
Brakes412310
Steering91000
Suspension, Wheels & Tires190000
Airbags & Restraints17110101
Driver Assistance & Speed Control181100
Body, Seats & Latches91110
Visibility & Lighting40000
Other201230

A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.

Recalls (2)

  • SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE · Campaign 23V651000 · Sep 25, 2023

    Defect: 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.

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

    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.

  • EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL · Campaign 20V393000 · Jul 6, 2020

    Defect: 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.

    Consequence: An overheated accessory outlet increases the risk of fire.

    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.