2016 Hyundai Accent: problems, recalls and reliability

0 recalls and 101 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine (28% of complaints); the 2018 model year looks more trouble-free.

Data updated weekly

recalls

101

owner complaints

fire reports

50,997

typical failure mileage, mi

All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.

NHTSA crash testOverall ★★★★★Front ★★★★★Side ★★★★★Rollover ★★★★★

4-star NHTSA overall safety ratingNo recall campaignsOne of the most complained-about Accent years (#5 of 28, age-adjusted)Weak spot: engine (28%)3 fire reports

Common problems Trouble codes Specs Other years FAQ

Common problems

Computed from 101 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.

Engine (engine mechanics)28% · 26 complaints

Air Bags (airbags and crash sensors)24% · 22 complaints

Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)17% · 16 complaints

Steering (steering wheel, rack, power assist)11% · 10 complaints

Electronic Stability Control (Esc)3% · 3 complaints

Service Brakes (brakes)2% · 2 complaints

“The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that she recently purchased the vehicle from a private seller. When the contact drove the vehicle for the first time, there were no issues or warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. However, when the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for an inspection, it was discovered that the airbag module warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 143,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2026

“Engine failure on a vehicle under 100,000 miles creates a risk of sudden loss of power while driving. A failing catalytic converter & coil packs can cause overheating and potential fire risk. These components were either pre-existing manufacturer defects or were damaged during the engine replacement process at Auto Nation Columbus (Columbus, GA), neither of which was disclosed to me as the owner.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jun 2026

“I got into an accident and my airbags did not go off... my face hit the steering wheel and my hand is broken because the airbags didn't deploy”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2026

Show 7 more owner reports

“I was driving up a hill on interstate 8 in California and all of a sudden i heard a bang under the hood and see sparks and flames and my hyundai was on fire right there on the freeway. No clue why.”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2025

“Engine is failing, oil leaking in the engine that messed up my catalytic converter and O2 sensors now it's just sluggish , doesn't accelerate properly, doesn't idle nearly .”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2025

“The vehicle made a loud catastrophic noises stopped running and couldn't be restarted. Towed car to dealership where it was inspected and denied coverage based on owner not original owner. This 1.6L Gamma GDI Engine is part of the larger Hyundai and Kia Engine Litigation II (Case No. 8:18-cv-02223). The settlement provides a 15-year/150,000-mile extended warranty for said engine.”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2025

“The passenger seat airbag seat sensor does not work properly. The sensor wiring gets loose making the airbag system not work. It's a common problem in this make and model. So I don't understand why it hasn't been recalled yet.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2025

“The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.”Owner report · Engine · May 2025

“The airbag SRS light started to blink on and off and now stays on full time. I took the car to the dealership and they ran diagnostics and got code B1440 and B1774. They stated the entire passenger seat cushion must be replaced with the MAT sensor. This is a common problem per this website and there is no recall issued for some reason. Please investigate this issue as it was a common problem with earlier models 2006 through 2011 and later models are still having the same issue. This is a costly fix and it is suspicious that this sensor failed right after the warranty expired.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2023

“The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard a loud knocking sound coming from underneath the hood. An unknown warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000.”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2023

When filing, owners marked a crash in 7 of these complaints and injuries in 8 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.

Trouble codes owners mention

OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.

P0011 · 1 mentions P0014 · 1 mentions P0420 · 1 mentions

Specifications

Factory options offered for the 2016 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.

Engines1.4L · 1.6L

Cylinders4

FuelGasoline

How other years compare

201479 complaints · 1 recalls 201570 complaints · 2 recalls 2016 (this page)101 complaints · 0 recalls 201768 complaints · 0 recalls 2018solid year19 complaints · 1 recalls

Counts are not adjusted for time on the road here - see all Accent years ranked fairly for the age-adjusted comparison.

Check your exact Accent by VIN

Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Hyundai Accent reliable?

NHTSA has 101 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on record for the 2016 Hyundai Accent. The most complained-about area is engine (28% of complaints).

At what mileage do 2016 Hyundai Accent problems usually appear?

Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 50,997 miles or less.

Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.