Reliability
Hyundai

Accent (4th)

2006-2011 · Subcompact · 2 engines
448 NHTSA Complaints
4 Recalls
3 Fire Reports
40 Crash Reports
Data covers 2 NHTSA model names
ACCENTACCENT HATCHBACK
View all 4 generations of the Hyundai Accent → Inspection checklist

Reliability Score

9.3 / 10

Reliability score

Very few owner complaints against similar subcompacts

The class average is 7.0. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Owners filed 65 powertrain complaints. A typical subcompact fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 267.

Scores this high have held: three years on they had moved 0.1 points in the typical case.

Breakdown
Complaints overall65 complaints against about 267 for similar vehicles
9.3
Last three years
n/aNot enough data
Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced8 complaints against about 48 for similar vehicles
9.6
Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating
n/aNot enough data

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is the class average. A line needs 20 expected complaints to show a number.

By model year
  • 20069.4
  • 20079.5
  • 20089.4
  • 20099.3
  • 20109.4
  • 20119.3

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record

No serious powertrain recall covering 5% or more of this generation and no escalated investigation in NHTSA's files. Warranty extensions and settlements have not been researched.

Complaints by Engine Code

Hyundai Accent Unidentified Engine

361 complaints 60.2 per year
3 fire reports 1 fatality
View details

Complaint Breakdown

safety systems
127
other
93
exterior
41
brakes
40
electrical
38

ALPHA

1.6L
87 complaints 43.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

brakes
21
other
19
safety systems
14
engine
14
exterior
13

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Hyundai Accent, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Safety Systems: 141 owner complaints
Brakes: 61 owner complaints
Exterior: 54 owner complaints
Electrical System: 49 owner complaints
Engine: 43 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2006-2011 Hyundai Accent

On a used 2006-2011 Hyundai Accent, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the airbags and driver-assist systems (141), the brakes (61) and the exterior lighting (54). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

  1. Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 141 owner complaints on the 2006-2011 Hyundai Accent about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
  2. On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 61 owner complaints on the 2006-2011 Hyundai Accent about the brakes.
  3. Check every exterior light, the wipers, the washers, the mirrors and the glass.Safety. NHTSA has 54 owner complaints on the 2006-2011 Hyundai Accent about the exterior lighting.
  4. Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 49 owner complaints on the 2006-2011 Hyundai Accent about the electrical system.
  5. Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 43 owner complaints on the 2006-2011 Hyundai Accent about the engine.
Open the full inspection checklist for the 2006-2011 Hyundai Accent

Recalls (4)

15V566000Sep 8, 2015serious
Exterior Lighting

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Hyundai Accent vehicles manufactured March 1, 2009, to February 11, 2011. In the affected vehicles, the brake light switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning brake light switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning brake light switch may also prevent the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position.

13V113000Apr 1, 2013serious
Exterior Lighting

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. In September 2013, Hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.

09V280000Jul 21, 2009serious
Exterior Lighting

HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 3,011 MODEL YEAR 2005-2007 ELANTRA, TUCSON, SONATA, AZERA AND ACCENT VEHICLES. A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO FAIL TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED OR MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED. A DEFECTIVE STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY ALSO AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE BRAKE-TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK FEATURE SO THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE SHIFT OUT OF THE "PARK" POSITION. IT MAY ALSO CAUSE THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) MALFUNCTION LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, AND IT MAY NOT DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.

09V122000Apr 15, 2009serious
Exterior Lighting

HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 532,633 MY 2006-2007 ACCENT, ENTOURAGE, SONATA, MY 2007 AZERA, ELANTRA AND SANTA FE, MY 2005-2007 TUCSON AND MY 2007-2008 VERACRUZ VEHICLES. THE STOP LAMP SWITCH IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION. A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED OR MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED. A STOP LAMP SWITCH MALFUNCTION MAY ALSO AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE BRAKE-TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK FEATURE SO THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE SHIFTED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. IT MAY ALSO CAUSE THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) MALFUNCTION LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, AND IT MAY NOT DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
4/5 (12.4% risk)
ESC: No FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
4/5 (12.7% risk)
ESC: No FCW: No LDW: No

Alternatives in Subcompact

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2006-2011 Hyundai Accent complaints?

Owners have filed 448 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006-2011 Hyundai Accent. The systems they name most often are the safety systems, the brakes and the exterior.

Is the 2006-2011 Hyundai Accent a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 448 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006-2011 Hyundai Accent. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2006-2011 Hyundai Accent have?

NHTSA has 448 owner complaints on file for the 2006-2011 Hyundai Accent as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2006-2011 Hyundai Accent?

NHTSA lists 4 recalls covering some 2006-2011 Hyundai Accent vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Hyundai Accent?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the safety systems, the brakes and the exterior, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Accent?

The 2011 Hyundai Accent received an overall N/A-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: N/A stars. Side crash: N/A stars. Rollover: 4 stars (12.4% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: No. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 448 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.

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