VehicleVerdict

2001 Hyundai Accent problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 148 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.7 times the median Accent year — the 2001 model ranks #6 of 30 Accent years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 22 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across airbags (21), transmission (21), and suspension (16), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

148

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

28

Crash-involved

10

Fires reported

22

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other Accent years?

Accent NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted218 complaints1991: 2 complaints1993: 1 complaints1995: 197 complaints1996: 142 complaints1997: 82 complaints1998: 72 complaints1999: 66 complaints2000: 115 complaints2001: 148 complaints2002: 163 complaints2003: 45 complaints2004: 40 complaints2005: 76 complaints2006: 49 complaints2007: 113 complaints2008: 135 complaints2009: 128 complaints2010: 119 complaints2011: 51 complaints2012: 218 complaints2013: 206 complaints2014: 98 complaints2015: 100 complaints2016: 160 complaints2017: 97 complaints2018: 23 complaints2019: 37 complaints2020: 17 complaints2021: 22 complaints2022: 32 complaints
Accent NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Accent years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Hyundai Accent problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags2114%
Transmission2114%
Suspension1611%
Body & Structure139%
Brakes139%
Engine128%
Speed Control128%
Visibility & Wipers96%
Electrical System64%
Tires & Wheels64%
Fuel System53%
Seat Belts53%
Steering32%
Other32%
Seats21%
Latches & Locks11%

Does the 2001 Hyundai Accent have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

02V167000Body & StructureJune 25, 2002 · 67,565 units

Defect

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." DURING TESTING, THE 3-DOOR HATCHBACK EXCEEDED THE PERFORMANCE CRITERION IN THE STANDARD MIDWAY ALONG THE LENGTH OF THE WINDSHIELD SUPPORT PILLAR (A-PILLAR).

Consequence

AN OCCUPANT'S HEAD THAT CONTACTS THE A-PILLAR DURING A CRASH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INCREASED RISK OF A HEAD INJURY AS A RESULT OF THIS CONDITION.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW ENERGY MANAGEMENT BRACKETS TO SUPPORT THE A-PILLAR COVERS AND INCREASE THE ENERGY ABSORBING PERFORMANCE OF THE A-PILLAR IN THE RELEVANT AREA. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 28, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

01V346000Speed ControlNovember 6, 2001 · 49,371 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.5 LITER OR 1.6 LITER ENGINES THAT WERE ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALASKA, COLORADO, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NORTH DAKOTA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. WHILE DRIVING AT A STEADY THROTTLE OPENING FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME DURING EXTREMELY COLD AMBIENT TEMPERATURES (BELOW APPROXIMATELY -5 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT WITH HIGH HUMIDITY), MOISTURE IN THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER BLOWBY GASES CAN FREEZE AND BLOCK THE POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION (PCV) VALVE AND HOSE. IF THE PCV HOSE FREEZES, COMBUSTION CHAMBER GASES ARE FORCED THROUGH THE BREATHER HOSE INTO THE AIR INTAKE HOSE AND THEN INTO THE THROTTLE BODY.

Consequence

MOISTURE IN THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER BLOWBY GASES MAY FREEZE INSIDE THE THROTTLE BODY BORE AND THROTTLE BODY IDLE SPEED CONTROL CIRCUIT RESULTING IN THE THROTTLE VALVE NOT CLOSING FULLY AND A HIGHER THAN NORMAL IDLE SPEED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW, RELOCATED PCV HOSE AND WILL ADDITIONALLY INSTALL A HEATED THROTTLE BODY ON THE 2000-2001 ACCENTS EQUIPPED WITH 1.5 LITER ENGINES THAT WERE PRODUCED THROUGH JANUARY 31, 2001. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“DEALER FIXED WHEEL BEARINGS AT NO CHARGE IN 1 DAY. DEALER REPLACING TRANSMISSION BY END OF THE WEEK - NO LOANER OR RENTAL CAR AVAILABLE; I HAVE TO RENT A CAR. SERVICE REP. COMPLAINED ABOUT CAR BEING OUR OF WARRANTY; I REMINDED HER CAR WAS BOUGHT MAY 11. DO I HAVE A LEMON? ARE MY KIDS SAFE IN IT?…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 25, 2002

“CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 55MPH ON HIGHWAY AND NOTICED THAT STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, AND IT STARTED TO ROLL TWICE OR MORE INTO AN ENBANKMENT. VEHICLE WAS TURNED UPSIDE DOWN. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO CRAWL OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DID DEPLOY.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · September 9, 2001 · crash

“THE CAR WAS TRAVELING BELOW THE SPEED LIMIT AND THE DRIVER BEGAN TO NOTICE AN UNCONTROLLABLE SHAKE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE FRONT OF THE CAR THIS IS WHAT CAUSED THE ACCIDENT.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · December 9, 2001 · crash

“ALL WERE WARRANTY REPAIRS. THE IGNITION COIL WENT OUT FIRST. THEN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE BODY WAS JUST A MINOR THING, A RAIN RAIL CAME LOOSE, AND IT HAD TO BE REPLACED. FINALLY, THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE ON 09-02-03 AND IT IS TOTALLY. I ONLY HAD IT TWO YRS. AND IT ONLY HAD 31,000 MILES ON IT. IT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · November 15, 2002 · fire

“THE CONSUMER HAD TO BE PULLED FROM THE VEHICLE AFTER IT CAUGHT FIRE. *PH THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON AND THE BRAKES WERE SQUEAKY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PLACED IN GEAR. THE COLLISION EXPERTS CONCLUDED THAT THE MUFFLER HAD OVERHEATED AND PERHAPS FAULTY HEAT SHIELDS HAD CAUSED AN IGNITION IN THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · February 3, 2004 · fire

2001 Hyundai Accent — common questions

Is the 2001 Hyundai Accent reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 148 complaints put the 2001 model at #6 of 30 Accent years. It is one of the Accent years to avoid.

What are the most common 2001 Accent problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (21 complaints), transmission (21 complaints), suspension (16 complaints).

Does the 2001 Hyundai Accent have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 Hyundai Accent. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Hyundai Accent years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Accent years to avoid are 2012, 2013, 1995, 2002, 2016, 2001, 1996, 2008, 2015, 2014. The cleanest record among Accent years belongs to 1993.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.