VehicleVerdict

2020 Hyundai Accent problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 17 complaints on file for the 2020 Hyundai Accent — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

17

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2020 compare to other Accent years?

Accent NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 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, 2020 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Accent years to avoid →

What are the most common 2020 Hyundai Accent problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine424%
Airbags212%
Fuel System212%
Speed Control212%
Body & Structure212%
Seat Belts16%
Seats16%
Electrical System16%
Steering16%
Other16%

Does the 2020 Hyundai Accent have recalls?

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

22V354000Seat BeltsMay 19, 2022 · 230,233 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Accent, 2021-2022 Elantra, and 2021-2022 Elantra HEV vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioners may explode upon deployment.

Consequence

An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, strike vehicle occupants, and result in injury.

Remedy

Dealers will secure the seat belt pretensioner(s) with a cap, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 28, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 229. This recall expands and replaces NHTSA recall numbers 21V-796, 22V-069, 22V-218, and 22V-123 for Accent, Elantra, and Elantra HEV vehicles. All Accent, Elantra, and Elantra HEV vehicles already repaired under the previous recalls will need to have the new remedy completed.

22V218000Seat BeltsApril 1, 2022 · 6,240 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Elantra and 2020 Accent vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver and passenger-side seat belt pretensioners may explode upon deployment.

Consequence

Exploding seat belt pretensioners can project metal fragments into the vehicle, strike vehicle occupants, and result in injury.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed on May 31, 2022. A second notice will be sent once remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 223. This recall is replaced by NHTSA recall number 22V-354. Vehicles already repaired under this recall will need to have the new remedy completed.

22V069000Seat BeltsFebruary 9, 2022 · 354 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Accent vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioner(s) may explode upon deployment.

Consequence

An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, striking vehicle occupants and resulting in injury.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 24, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 219. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 21V-796. This recall is replaced by NHTSA recall number 22V-354. Vehicles already repaired under this recall will need to have the new remedy completed.

21V619000Latches & LocksAugust 6, 2021 · 348,158 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Sonata, 2016-2018 Sonata Hybrid, 2018-2020 Accent, and 2016-2017 Azera vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."

Consequence

A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the trunk latch base, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 208.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“The contact owned a 2020 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, smoke was emitting from the vehicle. The contact was inside her residence and noticed the smoke from her window. Unknown if the air bags deployed. The contact stated that the fire spread to another parked…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 29, 2025 · fire

“The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that the cruise control button had fractured. While driving with the cruise control engaged, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · April 19, 2024

“MY GRANDDAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON A FREEWAY NEAR DALLAS TX. AS SHE SLOWED FOR AN UPCOMING CONSTRUCTION ZONE SHE WAS REAR-ENDED BY BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. PROPELLING HER INTO THE GUARD RAIL AND FURTHER TO THE RIGHT ENDING UP IN THE RIGHT LANE OF THE FREEWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS WITH FRONT AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · September 9, 2020 · crash

“The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated while driving approximately 55-60 mph, the hood was released without warning and cracked the front windshield. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · June 28, 2021

“My vehicle does the same thing as NHTSA ID Number: 11423521 and now I know not to bother taking it in for service for this issue. I was validated when I read that complaint as I have and continue to experience the same non-responsive issue when I accelerate from a complete stop ever since the…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · June 27, 2022

2020 Hyundai Accent — common questions

Is the 2020 Hyundai Accent reliable?

The record is thin — 17 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2020 Accent problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (4 complaints), speed control (2 complaints), airbags (2 complaints).

Does the 2020 Hyundai Accent have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2020 Hyundai Accent. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2020 Hyundai Accent under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

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 2020 Hyundai Accent?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2020 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.