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Hyundai · NHTSA safety record

2015 Hyundai Accent

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 70 safety complaints about the 2015 Hyundai Accent with the US government. Of those, 7 describe a crash, 11 mention a fire, 10 people were injured and no death is recorded. 2 recall campaigns are open against it, covering the hydraulic brakes and the air bags.

The most complained-about system is the air bags, named in 26 complaints, 37% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 61,795 miles, the median across the 38 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers May 2015 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

70 complaints on file

70

Complaints

7

Describe a crash

11

Mention fire

10

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year. A further 1 defect investigation is open and unresolved.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
AIR BAGS 26 · 37%
ENGINE 20 · 29%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10 · 14%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 9 · 13%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 7 · 10%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 5 · 7%
POWER TRAIN 5 · 7%
STRUCTURE 5 · 7%
SERVICE BRAKES 4 · 6%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2 · 3%
SEATS 2 · 3%
STEERING 2 · 3%
0 12 23

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 70.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2024 at 11.

12 9 6 3
15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2015 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2015 Hyundai ACCENT, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test 4 DR FWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover 12.4%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard

A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.

Recall campaigns

2 on file

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

23V651000 · September 22, 2023

Park outside until repaired

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

Hyundai Motor America · up to 1,649,478 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

15V218000 · April 13, 2015

The defect
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015 Accent vehicles manufactured September 15, 2014, to February 10, 2015. In very cold temperatures, the occupant detection system (ODS) may not be able to determine if a child restraint seat is in the front passenger seat.
The risk
If the ODS fails to detect that the seat is occupied by a child restraint seat, the front air bag will not be deactivated and, in the event of a crash necessitating front air bag deployment, the air bag deployment could cause increased risk of injury to the occupant in the child restraint seat.
The remedy
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will correct ODS software, free of charge. The recall began on June 4, 2015. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 129.

Hyundai Motor America · up to 2,580 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations

1 on file

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

AQ23002

Still open audit query · opened November 17, 2023

the hydraulic brakes

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

2 injured · crash · towed · 130,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI ACCENT. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUFFERED BACK AND CHEST INJURIES, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE OTHER DRIVER WAS ALSO INJURED AND RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND BODY REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint 11162256. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

2 injured · crash

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS A PASSENGER IN A 2015 HYUNDAI ACCENT. WHILE DRIVING ON AN ONRAMP AT 25 MPH, THE DRIVER SWERVED AND CRASHED INTO A TRUCK. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER'S SPLEEN, STOMACH, NECK, AND BACK WERE INJURED. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED BACK, NECK, AND WRIST PAINS. MEDICAL TREATMENT WAS REQUIRED. THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS DID NOT PROPERLY RETRACT AND WERE LOOSE UPON IMPACT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V218000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint 10853520. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

1 injured · fire · 78,000 miles

The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle in the garage, approximately four hours later the contact was awakened by the dog and discovered flames coming from the garage. The fire department was called to the home and extinguished the flames. During the incident the home was partially destroyed and deemed unlivable and the vehicle was also destroyed. A fire report was taken at the scene. The home insurance inspector later indicated that the fire originated from the engine compartment of the vehicle. No physical injuries were reported, but the contact had experienced severe stress and anxiety from the incident. The manufacturer was not contacted

NHTSA complaint 11554300, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

1 injured · fire · 102,000 miles

The contact owned a 2015 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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard a loud pop sound. The contact pulled the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. The contact stated the fire originated from under the hood area. The contact's son and some nearby samaritans attempted to extinguish the fire. The police and fire department arrived on the scene. A fire report was filed and a

NHTSA complaint 11574044, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

fire · towed · 132,000 miles

The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that while the vehicle parked, the contact became aware that there was a fire in the front passenger side of the vehicle, underneath the radio and along the center console. The contact extinguished the fire. The contact stated that fire odor was like an electrical fire. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was then towed to the residence. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.

NHTSA complaint 11765065. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

fire

Was driving down the highway and my car caught fire. I was stopped by another driver saying that my car was on fire. I had no breaks to stop, I had to put it straight to park to stop the car. That way myself and my son could jump out of the car.

NHTSA complaint 11734923. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS
My air bag “off” light comes on and then off again.

NHTSA complaint 11715685. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

fire

My 2015 Hyundai accent started having problems with oil consumption around 65000 miles. I got it checked regularly and the mechanic noticed it after it was having issues accelerating and losing power then cutting off completely. I had to constantly check oil each week or sooner. A couple months later it started losing power on high way and there was a clicking/ticking coming from engine. I pulled over and cut it off. Then drove it slowly (under 30 mph) to car store down the road to add oil but it was fine. Was able to get back home on back roads going slowly. Mechanic told me there oil consumption was a problem with these types of cars and likely causing engine problems. The whole time I

NHTSA complaint 11691683, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
My 2015 Hyundai Accent started having issues with oil consumption at about 80,000 miles or so. I was having to check and add oil to the vehicle regularly in addition to oil changes. The oil consumption issue got worse as the vehicle got higher in miles, having to check and add oil every 600-1000 miles approximately. I was not aware of the known issue with Hyundai motors and the oil consumption so I was not tracking milage or dates of adding oil unfortunately. At about 100,135 miles, the vehicle suddenly broke down on my way to work. There was no warning other than the oil consumption problem. The car RPMs got very high and the car started decelerating until it wouldn't go forward anymore

NHTSA complaint 11605678, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

fire · towed · 180,000 miles

The contact owned a 2015 Hyundai Accent. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke coming from beneath the hood. No warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over, and her husband noticed flames coming from the engine compartment. The contact and four passengers, including a minor child, were able to exit the vehicle safely. The contact dialed 911, and police and firefighters arrived on the scene. The firefighters extinguished the fire. A police report was filed. The contact was unaware if there was a fire department report filed. No injuries were

NHTSA complaint 11593428, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Hyundai Accent

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2022 17 2 —
2021 16 4 —
2020 12 4 —
2019 31 1 —
2018 19 1 —
2017 68 0 —
2016 101 0 —
2014 79 1 —
2013 141 1 —
2012 153 2 1
2011 38 1 —
2010 87 1 —

Other 2015 Hyundai models

Sonata 1,144 Genesis 290 Elantra 262 Santa FE 254 Tucson 227 Veloster 137 Santa FE Sport 82 Sonata Hybrid 53

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Hyundai on this site — 205 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst