279 of the
2,760 complaints filed about the Hyundai Accent
are about the braking system —
10% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2013.
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to come to a complete stop as intended while the brake pedal was fully depressed. The brake warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact used the parking brake to pull over to the shoulder of the road safely. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed brake fluid leaking from a rusted brake line. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to the residence and remained at the residence for additional investigation. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
NHTSA complaint #11757677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle is subject to Safety Recall 13V-113 (Campaign 131) for problems relating to the brake light switch. The recall repair was attempted in 2016 but the defect has recurred (current symptoms include but is not limited to: brake lights sporadically staying on with car off, key removed and all doors securely closed. This condition has caused the Battery to be repeatedly completely drained and has required a Battery replacement. Domino Effect of a Faulty Signal - Defective Switch causes intermittent, erratic, or "ghost" signals to the vehicles logic relays and computer elements. Logic Processor Confusion and Relay Chatter can mimic a relay or component failure and can lead to PCM, TCM, BCM faults, errors and vulnerability. Additionally and in the present case the ABS and Brake Warning Alert Lights have now come on as well on the Dashboard. These warning lights are not sporadic but are now apparently permanent. The dealership is refusing a second free repair, incorrectly claiming a "one-time fix" limit. Hyundai Corporate Case #42932438 was filed but ignored.
NHTSA complaint #11755267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The break light came on. The local garage says I need a new master cylinder, and the dealer I purchesed the car from will not verify an extended warantee item or silent recall. This master cylinder part is all over the the internet as defective on multiple years.
NHTSA complaint #11736029 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was driving my 2022 Hyundai Accent (VIN [XXX] ) when the brakes suddenly failed without warning. When I pressed the brake pedal, the vehicle did not slow down properly resultina in a crash Immediately after the crash, the vehicle caught fire According to the fire department report, the fire originated in the engine compartment and was classified as unintentional/ accidental There were no prior warning lights or known brake issues before this incident. The failure was sudden and unexpected. This incident raises serious safetv concerns regarding a potential defect involving the braking system and/or electrical components. The vehicle is currently preserved and available for inspection INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11729689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds on several occasions, the steering wheel seized. No warning light was illuminated. The brakes locked up, causing a tire blowout. The contact stated that the tie rod was replaced. The contact stated that a neighbor assisted with freeing the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was informed that, due to the age of the vehicle, the struts and brake pads should be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
NHTSA complaint #11723312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the clutch pedal traveled to the floorboard and the low oil warning light illuminated. Due to the failure, the brakes failed to function properly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed and determined that the slave cylinder had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was concerned that the failure was related to an engine failure recall, and that the dealer and manufacturer had failed to provide the proper repair during the repair, which caused the current clutch and braking system failures. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 92,000.
NHTSA complaint #11718560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Power steering power breaks, acceleration. Head rest, blind spot. Problems. Bought car ,driving to get home mirror was not in place needed to get on left lane to get under bridge crossing traffic was rushing through so fast I could adjust mirror so I turned to right on road the steering wheel glided so fast it frightened me. Wheel turning was slippery. So any way since I didn't know car I just kept going home. On my way I noticed the breaks are very sensitive breaks quick . I found the acceleration on stop and then turn to right it took force on my pressing gas acceleration to make it go very sluggish feeling there was a car behind me tailgating me to go it a while for car to get going..it was very dangerous thank God the other car slowed down or he would of hit from behind .. Finally Got home alright next day I called to make appointment to check underneath car I asked sales person 3 times before purchase but he didn't do it he kept telling me just a minute every time... He did it. So I made appointment for coming monday Oct 10. I went in drove slow to be careful, serviced it Hyundai mechanic looked it over but didn't test drive it don't run any electrical machines to check deeper of my unsafety report. With the power breaks or steering wheel and acceleration. . maybe because it cost money and no warranty left on my part and being second buyer.. Its very strange the acceleration sluggish does it only at different times so I cannot really trust it. Its very annoying. And stressful haven't been able to sleep well now I put also mall my saving for a car and I am in need of good safe transportation and I trade my old car in. Hyundai will not trade ,buy back nor sale me another. So please try to help with me on this report as quick . I don't want to have accident. Thanks [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11693531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The incident started August 15, 2025, I was driving my car and the traction light came on I stopped and turned it off. I proceeded to drive it after that and came home. Then I noticed my brake lights were constantly on so I took a piece of cardboard and folded it in a few folds and put it between the brake pedal and the brake switch it turned it off. I then proceeded the next day to drive my car it was doing fine until my caliper seized on my rotor and left me stuck on the side of the road, I then called a mobile mechanic he came out replaced the caliper on the left front driver side it still did not unseize my rotor for my caliper to move freely so he installed a new master cylinder it worked for 2 days then I was always driving it felt like the tire was falling off the car a lot of shaking and bouncing. So I parked it that unfortunately sees the caliper on the rotor again three times. I had a new caliper put on it worked for a week my traction light was off. And then my traction light came back on as I was driving it seized up again I've replaced a lot of fuses, new Masters cylinder, new caliper, new brake switch. I'm at a loss help me!!
NHTSA complaint #11689391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN. I THINK THE ABS MODULE LIGHT APPEARED INSTANTLY ON THE DASHBOARD. IT'S THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES THAT AREN'T WORKING. I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED MY HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP WHEN I SAW A BRAKE LIGHT COME UP ON MY DASHBOARD WHEN I WENT TO BRAKE BUT I HAD NONE AND THE BRAKES WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND I ALMOST WENT OVER A CLIFF AND DIED OR BADLY HURT OTHERS OR MYSELF IN A CAR ACCIDENT. I'M WILLING TO TRY AND GET IT FIXED AT OTHER INDEPENDENT SERVICE CENTERS IN PLYMOUTH MASSACHUSETTS. THE EVENT HAD HAPPENED A WEEK BEFORE BUT I DIDN'T REPORT THIS INCIDENT TO THE POLICE, INSURANCE REPRESENTATIVES/OTHERS OR ANY OTHER MANUFACTURER BECAUSE THERE WASN'T OFFICIALLY ANY AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENTS. FINALLY, MY HYUNDAI ACCENT 2012 WAS DONATED TO ME BY "GOOD NEWS GARAGE" OVER 2.5-3 YRS AGO THROUGH A WORK-TO-PROGRAM/DONATION UNDER THE M.R.C. OR MASSACHUSETTS REHABILITATION CENTER IN PLYMOUTH MASSACHUSETTS WHICH IS PERMANENTLY CLOSED AND IS NOW CALLED MASS OPTIONS AND THAT'S THE ONLY THING I KNOW ABOUT THIS SITUATION WITH NO BRAKES. PLEASE HELP ME. I NEED TO KNOW MY NEXT STEPS. THANK YOU! OWNER AND DRIVER [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11685552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The Emergency brake light, ABS light, and esc light all come on while driving & speedometer goes to 0. The speedometer also stops tracking mileage when these lights come on. This used to happen on & off, but now it’s almost permanent. Hundreds are reporting the same exact issue online, but mechanics cannot figure out what the problem is. Me and countless others have taken the vehicle to mechanics multiple times with no resolve and thousands of dollars worth of diagnostics that are incorrect and don’t resolve the issue. It is dangerous because we don’t know how fast we’re going, and we don’t know if your abs, emergency brakes, & esc are all working properly. This issue is impacting Hyundai Accents years 2015, 2016, & 2017 based on the multiple threads & posts online. I think it’s related to electrical issues too because my windshield wipers & blinkers will randomly malfunction while this is happening. A random online user said that it is a “SMART Junction Box” issue that needs to be replaced. Please look into this and issue a recall because thousands of people are spending thousands of hard-earned dollars with no resolve.
NHTSA complaint #11676043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2012 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 ABS warning light was intermittently illuminated. The local dealer was contacted and stated that the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that parts were not yet available. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA complaint #11675635 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On the [XXX], my 2012 Hyundai Accent caught fire in the engine compartment and engulfed in flames. Right before the fire started, smoke came out of the air vents into the car, causing me to become stifled and choke for several minutes. Smoke was also coming out of the hood. At that point, I lifted the hood and there were flames coming out of the engine. During the past six months prior to the fire, I developed a chronic cough and now believe it might have been attributed to fumes that I have been inhaling through the air vents from my car's engine. My [XXX] mother and [XXX] son have suffered headaches, coughing, sore throat and congestion when riding in my car with the air conditioner turned on. The remains of the vehicle were inspected by the Rockdale County Fire Department after they extinguished the fire. What remains of the car is available for inspection in Rockdale County Ga at a tow yard designated by the Rockdale County emergency rescue team members who assisted me. It was too damaged to tow to my home. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the engine catching fire on [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11657658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owned a 2012 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that after the vehicle was occupied and parked in the residence, the contact started the vehicle to let the engine warm up went inside his home then returned outside from his home and noticed the engine was burning. The contact opened the hood of the vehicle to see where the fire was coming from and turned the vehicle off. The contact grabbed the water hose and attempted to extinguish the fire but was unsuccessful. The contact mentioned he did call 911. The contact did not sustain injuries. No medical attention was sought. No police report was filed. The fire departments arrived on the scene, and the firefighters extinguished the fire. The fire consumed the vehicle in the contact's driveway and the fire spread causing damage. No Fire department report was filed. The vehicle currently remained on the scene. The contact related the failure to the NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000(SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). The insurance company had not been contacted yet. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11645116 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2013 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 local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA complaint #11639748 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
When driving my 2014 Hyundai Accent, the brake system completely failed and I lost all ability to stop the vehicle. I was able to stop the car by downshifting to a lower gear and use the emergency handbrake. I was able to avoid other vehicles and no accident occurred. The vehicle was towed to a Hyundai dealer and determined the brake lines corroded and fluid loss caused loss of braking. No warning lamps indicated an issue and no loss of brake fluid was seen prior to the incident.
NHTSA complaint #11630401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2013 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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA complaint #11627316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.