2021 Hyundai Accent
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Airbags & Restraints
Airbags & Restraints leads by volume: 6 of 16 complaints (38%) mention it.
Complaints filed rose from 12 in 2020 to 16 in 2021.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | vs. 2021 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,950–2,000 | 1,750–1,900 | 1,750–1,900 | 1,750 | |
| Combined MPG | 31–32 | 33–36 | 33–36 | 36 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 28 / 37–38 | 29–33 / 39–41 | 29–33 / 39–41 | 33 / 41 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 277–284 | 248–273 | 248–273 | 248 | |
| Complaints filed | 30 | 12 | 16 | 16 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 4 | 4 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
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 2021 Hyundai Accent have?
4 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 2021 Hyundai Accent?
Airbags & Restraints: 6 of 16 NHTSA complaints (38%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Hyundai Accent get?
EPA rates it 33–36 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2021 Hyundai Accent?
EPA estimates $1,750–$1,900 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (AV-S1) | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 33 mpg (high) | 41 mpg (high) | 36 mpg (high) | $1,750 (low) | 248 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 29 mpg (low) | 39 mpg (low) | 33 mpg (low) | $1,900 (high) | 273 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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 (4)
SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER; SEAT BELTS:FRONT · Campaign 22V354000 · May 19, 2022
Defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Accent, 2021-2022 Elantra, and 2021-2022 Elantra HEV vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioners may explode upon deployment.
Consequence: An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, strike vehicle occupants, and result in injury.
Remedy: Dealers will secure the seat belt pretensioner(s) with a cap, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 28, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 229. This recall expands and replaces NHTSA recall numbers 21V-796, 22V-069, 22V-218, and 22V-123 for Accent, Elantra, and Elantra HEV vehicles. All Accent, Elantra, and Elantra HEV vehicles already repaired under the previous recalls will need to have the new remedy completed.
STEERING:COLUMN · Campaign 22V311000 · May 9, 2022
Defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Accent vehicles. A bolt in the steering column may not be secured properly, which can cause the steering column to detach from the steering rack and result in a loss of steering control.
Consequence: Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the lower steering column u-joint retention bolt, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 5, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 226.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT; SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER · Campaign 22V069000 · Feb 9, 2022
Defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Accent vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioner(s) may explode upon deployment.
Consequence: An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, striking vehicle occupants and resulting in injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 24, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 219. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 21V-796. This recall is replaced by NHTSA recall number 22V-354. Vehicles already repaired under this recall will need to have the new remedy completed.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER · Campaign 21V937000 · Dec 2, 2021
Defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021 Accent vehicles. The brake master cylinder may have been manufactured with sharp edges that can damage the inner oil seal, resulting in reduced braking performance.
Consequence: Reduced braking performance can cause longer brake pedal travel or extend the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 213.