VehicleVerdict

2015 Hyundai Accent problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2015 Hyundai Accent carries two red flags at once: 100 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires). It is one of the Accent years to avoid. Complainants reported 13 injuries in total across these filings.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 26 reports (26% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

100

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

1

Investigations · 1 open

9

Crash-involved

17

Fires reported

13

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2015 compare to other Accent years?

Accent NHTSA complaints by model year, 2015 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, 2015 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Accent years to avoid →

What are the most common 2015 Hyundai Accent problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags2626%
Engine2020%
Electrical System1515%
Brakes1212%
Other99%
Transmission55%
Body & Structure55%
Steering22%
Fuel System22%
Seats22%
Speed Control11%
Tires & Wheels11%

Does the 2015 Hyundai Accent have recalls?

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

23V651000BrakesSeptember 22, 2023 · 1,649,478 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

Consequence

An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.

15V218000AirbagsApril 13, 2015 · 2,580 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015 Accent vehicles manufactured September 15, 2014, to February 10, 2015. In very cold temperatures, the occupant detection system (ODS) may not be able to determine if a child restraint seat is in the front passenger seat.

Consequence

If the ODS fails to detect that the seat is occupied by a child restraint seat, the front air bag will not be deactivated and, in the event of a crash necessitating front air bag deployment, the air bag deployment could cause increased risk of injury to the occupant in the child restraint seat.

Remedy

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will correct ODS software, free of charge. The recall began on June 4, 2015. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 129.

Open NHTSA investigations

AQ23002

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“I WAS IN AN MVA ON 4/7/2020. I WAS TRAVELING AT 45MPH WHEN I COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, WHEREAS ALL OF THE OTHER VEHICLE'S DID. BECAUSE OF THIS, I SLAMMED INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. I RECEIVED EXTREME WHIPLASH, STASHED MUSCLES IN THE CHEST, AND A LARGE CONTUSION ACROSS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · April 7, 2020 · crash

“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.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 3, 2026 · fire

“I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT ON MARCH 12 2018 A TRACTOR TRAILER SIDEWIPED THE LS OF MY CAR AND DESTROYED THE ENTIRE SIDE . THE CAR MIGHT BE TOTALED. NO AIRBAGS WENT OFF AT ALL! HE CAME INTO MY LANE AT A GOOD SPEED AND A FULL LOAD. I AM LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. I HAVE HAD OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR ONLY TO BE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 12, 2018 · crash

“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.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 3, 2026 · fire

“My car unexpectedly caught fire while driving at LAX airport on June 21, 2023 around 11-11:30a.m. The whole car burned within a few minutes. There was nothing I could do.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · June 21, 2023 · fire

2015 Hyundai Accent — common questions

Is the 2015 Hyundai Accent reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 100 complaints put the 2015 model at #13 of 30 Accent years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Accent years to avoid.

What are the most common 2015 Accent problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (26 complaints), engine (20 complaints), electrical system (15 complaints).

Does the 2015 Hyundai Accent have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2015 Hyundai Accent. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2015 Hyundai Accent under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

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.

How safe is the 2015 Hyundai Accent?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2015 Hyundai Accent earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

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.