Short answer
Among Hyundai Accent model years through 2024, 2003, 2004, 2016 and 2017 have the fewest NHTSA recall campaigns on record (0) and 2000, 2020 and 2021 have the most (4). Recall counts are not a reliability score; they show how often a safety defect had to be corrected.
Quick read
Hyundai Accent: Key Facts
- Model years with data
- 23 (2000–2022)
- Distinct recall campaigns
- 17
- Fewest recalls
- 2003, 2004, 2016 and 2017 (0)
- Most recalls
- 2000, 2020 and 2021 (4)
- Most recalled system
- Exterior lighting (12)
Hyundai Accent Recalls and Ratings by Model Year
| Model year | Recall campaigns | Overall crash rating | Most recalled systems |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2 | 4 stars | Seat belts, Steering |
| 2021 | 4 | 4 stars | Seat belts, Service brakes, hydraulic, Steering |
| 2020 | 4 | 4 stars | Seat belts, Latches/locks/linkages |
| 2019 | 1 | Not rated | Latches/locks/linkages |
| 2018 | 1 | Not rated | Latches/locks/linkages |
| 2017 | 0 | 4 stars | None on record |
| 2016 | 0 | 4 stars | None on record |
| 2015 | 2 | 4 stars | Air bags, Service brakes, hydraulic |
| 2014 | 1 | 4 stars | Service brakes, hydraulic |
| 2013 | 1 | 4 stars | Service brakes, hydraulic |
| 2012 | 2 | 4 stars | Equipment, Service brakes, hydraulic |
| 2011 | 1 | Not rated | Exterior lighting |
| 2010 | 1 | Not rated | Exterior lighting |
| 2009 | 2 | Not rated | Exterior lighting |
| 2008 | 1 | Not rated | Exterior lighting |
| 2007 | 3 | Not rated | Exterior lighting |
| 2006 | 3 | Not rated | Exterior lighting |
| 2005 | 1 | Not rated | Exterior lighting |
| 2004 | 0 | Not rated | None on record |
| 2003 | 0 | Not rated | None on record |
| 2002 | 1 | Not rated | Structure |
| 2001 | 2 | Not rated | Structure, Vehicle speed control |
| 2000 | 4 | Not rated | Visibility, Structure, Vehicle speed control |
No model years match your search.
The scale of the difference
Recall Campaigns by Model Year
Distinct NHTSA recall campaigns per model year. Years after 2024 are recent and still collecting recalls.
- 20222 recalls
- 20214 recalls
- 20204 recalls
- 20191 recall
- 20181 recall
- 20170 recalls
- 20160 recalls
- 20152 recalls
- 20141 recall
- 20131 recall
- 20122 recalls
- 20111 recall
- 20101 recall
- 20092 recalls
- 20081 recall
- 20073 recalls
- 20063 recalls
- 20051 recall
- 20040 recalls
- 20030 recalls
- 20021 recall
- 20012 recalls
- 20004 recalls
Hyundai Accent: Analysis
How to read recall counts
A recall campaign is a safety defect that the manufacturer or NHTSA required to be fixed. Counts depend on how long a model year has been on the road, so recent years look better than they will in time; this page therefore ranks only model years through 2024. A high count can also mean a manufacturer reacts quickly to small defects, so it says little about breakdowns or running costs.
What the recalls were about
Across all model years, the systems named most often in Hyundai Accent recalls are exterior lighting (12), seat belts (6), service brakes, hydraulic (5), latches/locks/linkages (3) and structure (3). The number in brackets counts model-year entries, so one campaign that covers several years is counted in each.
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA has an overall star rating for 9 of these 23 model years. Ratings before 2011 come from an earlier version of the program and are not directly comparable with later years. A range such as 4–5 means versions of the same model year were rated differently.
FAQ: Hyundai Accent Best and Worst Years
What are the best years for the Hyundai Accent?
By NHTSA recall campaigns, 2003, 2004, 2016 and 2017 are the cleanest model years through 2024, with 0 each.
Which Hyundai Accent model years have the most recalls?
2000, 2020 and 2021 have the most, with 4 recall campaigns each.
Does a recall mean the car is unreliable?
No. A recall is a safety correction filed with NHTSA, usually repaired free of charge. It does not measure breakdowns or running costs, so use these counts together with a vehicle history report and an inspection.
Sources & methodology
Recalls and crash ratings come from the NHTSA datasets and APIs, retrieved on 2026-10-03. A record counts for this model when its make matches and its model name starts with the same words as "Accent", so variants such as body styles are included. Only model years from 2000 are used, and each recall campaign is counted once per model year. The data does not say whether an individual car was repaired, so check a specific car by VIN.
NHTSA, US Department of Transportation; this page is not endorsed by NHTSA. Maintained by Artsiom Dusau. Editorial policy