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Hyundai AccentModel year report

2001 Hyundai Accent Problems

Complaints
112filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
52,500miles, 39 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
27 mpgcombined, 1.6L 4-cyl FWD · 23 city / 34 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2001 Hyundai Accent (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe two kinds of trouble: front air bags that did not deploy in a collision, and a transmission that jolts, slips or loses power, often tied in complaints to a repeatedly replaced pulse generator. A later group of complaints, filed years after the car was sold, describes severe front subframe and control-arm corrosion, mostly on cars driven where roads are salted. Many of these cars are now well past 100,000 miles, so condition varies widely from one example to the next.

  1. Transmission and drivetrain

    Transmission jolts, slips or loses power

    • 55 complaints (49%)
    • median 46,235 mi at 3.9 yrs old (17 state mileage)
    • 21 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2000–2013

    Owners describe harsh engagement when shifting from reverse to drive, jerking between gears, a car that will not go above 20 to 30 mph, or a transmission that quits with no warning. Several complaints mention the pulse generator or range switch being replaced, sometimes more than once, without a lasting fix. Some say the dealer told them nothing could be done until the transmission failed outright. Mostly reported between roughly 15,000 and 160,000 miles, with many under 50,000; complaints run from the first year of ownership onward.

    5 related service bulletins

    What to check: Drive the car from cold and shift through reverse and drive, feeling for a slam or delay. Ask for service records showing transmission fluid changes and any pulse generator or range switch replacement.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Since we bought the car, it has been to the dealership repair shop 5 times, for the same problem. The car begins to have problems shifting gears, it loses power, as not going higher than 20-30 miles. When the gas pedal is applied, the car gets stuck for several seconds before it jerks and begins to run again. Everytime we take it in they repair the pulse generator. The pulse generator has been changes two time in the last three months alone (june, august), and now its ready to go back into the shop again. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10139181, filed 2005-10, 15,917 miles

    “I bought a 2001 Hyundai in 2001 and since I had it. It has 1 new brake I new transmission molding has fallen off of it couldn't really tell what else has gone wrong with it. It has been in the shop numerous of times and the transmission problem still persist. I have to pay for rental cars take off work and other time wasting things. I am really discouraged about owning such a piece of junk. What do I do?”

    NHTSA complaint #10018748, filed 2003-05
  2. Air bags

    Air bags did not deploy in a collision

    • 20 complaints (18%)
    • median 46,235 mi at 3.9 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
    • 18 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2001–2011

    Complaints describe front-end and side impacts at moderate speeds in which neither the driver nor the passenger front air bag inflated, and some report seat belts binding or locking after the event. Owners say they contacted the dealer or the manufacturer afterward and got little response, in one case being told the system had detected an impact. A separate complaint describes the bags deploying while the car was not in an accident, breaking the windshield. Reports span the whole life of the car, from the first couple of years to vehicles with roughly 70,000 miles, and most are written after a crash rather than as a warning.

    What to check: Have the air bag system scanned for stored fault codes and ask whether the air bag warning lamp behaves normally on startup. Look for signs of prior front-end repair or replacement air bag modules.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “My family was driving our 2001 Hyundai Accent in which another vehicle collided with ours except the dash board air bags didn't inflate. Afterwards within two weeks I stopped at the nearest dealership and asked who should I inquire why the air bags didn't work. The vehicle was totaled and I did send an email to the address the dealership provided but have heard nothing. My wife and daughter got banged up but are okay now. My concern is that it could of been much serious and why I haven't heard anything from Hyundai. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10358968, filed 2010-10, 46,235 miles

    “While driving at 55 MPH consumer slammed on the brakes and rear-ended the car stopped in the middle of the expressway. Both driver and passenger front airbags did not deploy. Vehicle's front-end sustained damage. Already being serviced at a Hyundai dealership and aware of the problem. Will receive a diagnostic of the airbag system after vehicle has been repaired.”

    NHTSA complaint #10089059, filed 2004-09, 36,950 miles
  3. Suspension

    Front subframe and control-arm corrosion

    • 9 complaints (8%)
    • median 107,000 mi at 13.0 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2012–2021

    Complaints describe rust eating through the front subframe, the cradle and the lower control arms, in some cases leaving holes in the frame rail near the radiator support or where the frame meets the body. Owners say the dealer or an independent mechanic confirmed the corrosion and recommended subframe replacement, often at the owner's expense. Several note the rest of the car looks fine by comparison and that the car is driven in a state that salts winter roads. Reported mostly between about 64,000 and 150,000 miles, typically on cars many years old in cold-weather, salted-road states.

    1 related service bulletin

    What to check: Put the car on a lift and inspect the front subframe, control-arm mounts and frame rails for flaking rust or holes, especially on cars from salted-road states. Ask whether the subframe has been replaced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “My mechanic told me in april 2020 my 2001 Hyundai Accent is not safe to drive because the sub frame has decayed up to were it connects to the body underneath.”

    NHTSA complaint #11328588, filed 2020-06, 141,351 miles

    “Both control arms and drivers side of sub frame completely rotted out. There is a recall for the 2001-2003 elantra and tiberon, yet not the Accent? Somebody isn't doing their job!!”

    NHTSA complaint #10671996, filed 2015-01, 81,000 miles
  4. Brakes

    Brake noise, vibration and long pedal travel

    • 22 complaints (20%)
    • median 16,325 mi at 1.9 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
    • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2001–2015

    Complaints describe grinding and squealing, heavy brake dust, and a pedal that has to be pushed close to the floor to stop. Owners also report vibration and extended stopping distance, uneven wear with one front pad worn to metal while the other looks new, and popping or creaking from the front end when the brakes are applied. One owner found heavily rusted brake lines behind a pedal that went to the floor. Reported mostly between about 15,000 and 100,000 miles, sometimes within the first two years of ownership.

    What to check: Inspect pad thickness on both sides of the front axle, look at the brake lines for rust, and test the pedal for firmness and travel before buying.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Right front brake pads are totally metal to metal and left front are like brand new. ****dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12-12-02 cut over to artemis****762194”

    NHTSA complaint #10008808, filed 2002-05, 15,700 miles

    “Brakes grind, there is brake dust all over hub cap, and sometimes when braking brake pedal has to be pressed almost to the floor to stop. In addition to periodic squeaking noises, consumer was informed this was normal.”

    NHTSA complaint #8015290, filed 2002-08
  5. Vehicle speed control

    Sudden or unwanted acceleration and surging

    • 23 complaints (21%)
    • median 27,000 mi at 3.8 yrs old (11 state mileage)
    • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2001–2012

    Owners describe the engine revving up on its own, surging after the accelerator is released, or the car speeding up unexpectedly at low speed; one complaint describes a crash into a building after the car accelerated at 30 mph and the dealer calling it normal. Another owner reports the revs climbing on a trip, with the car controlled by braking, and says a throttle position sensor replacement addressed it. Related complaints describe hunting idle and stalling after startup. Reported from a few thousand miles up to about 32,000 miles, often at low speed or highway cruising; some cases began within the first year.

    Recall 01V346000

    What to check: Ask whether recall 01V346000 (throttle cable related) was completed for the car's registration state. Road-test at a steady speed and listen for idle changes after lifting off the accelerator.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “My car engine will rev up on its own when in neutral (I have a manual transmission) the engine revs up then idles low as if it is going to stall. I have taken it into the dealership 4 times, and they have replaced the coil pack, spark plugs, and a sensor... Still the problem persists. Every time I take my car in they tell me that my spark plugs are misfiring and that I need to have them replaced and because they are a wear item and it's going to cost me. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10042969, filed 2003-10, 25,000 miles

    “While taking a trip vehicle kept accelerating. The rpms kept going up. Consumer controlled the vehicle with the brakes. The vehicle will be taken to the dealer for inspection. The dealer replaced the throttle position sensor which alleviated the problem.”

    NHTSA complaint #10090172, filed 2004-09, 15,000 miles

Buying note. On a car this old, the decisive items are structural: have the front subframe and control arms inspected on a lift, and check that the air bag system shows no fault codes, since those repairs are costly and the complaints about them are numerous. A full service history for the transmission and a test drive from cold will tell you more than the mileage alone.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 112 consumer complaints for the 2001 Hyundai Accent. 39 of the complaints include a mileage, and 49% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 52,500 miles. Of all complaints, 25 involved a crash, 4 a fire, 20 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 33 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Fuel system (5), Seat belts (5), Other or unknown (3), Steering (3), Seats (2), Latches, locks and linkages (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “Upon merging into the highway from a yield sign at 30 MPH consumer was involved in a front end collision. Upon impact, neither driver's side nor passenger's side air bags deployed.”

NHTSA complaint #10052231, filed 2004-01, 56,000 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “Car would not reverse, and jerks when shifting from 2-3rd gear. Contacted dealer and was told transmission is completely shot, and must be replaced, at a cost of $2500. Found that when shifting from reverse to drive prior car would jolt.”

NHTSA complaint #10144534, filed 2005-12, 80,000 miles

Suspension: “Front sub frame is severely corroded between drivers lower control arm and sub frame mount at radiator core support. Corrosion has created a hole on each side of the frame rail that will allow for passage of an object similar in size to a deck of cards. Passenger side is similarly corroded. Front sub frame replacement will be necessary in order maintain safe vehicle operation. The degree of front sub frame corrosion is not in line with the condition of the balance of the vehicle. Balance of the vehicle exhibits minimal corrosion.”

NHTSA complaint #10557451, filed 2013-12, 114,000 miles

Body and structure: “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 has a history of stalling out on trips of 30 miles or more, it would restart soon though. Car is a total loss.”

NHTSA complaint #10070782, filed 2004-01, 11,902 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

49% of the 39 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 29,099 and 85,000 miles.

0%0–1018%10–2531%25–5015%50–7515%75–10018%100–1503%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (39 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 52,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’0132’03’05’07’10’12’15’21
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2001 Hyundai Accent version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Accent/Brio FWD1.5L 4-cyl5-speed manual243328$2,400
Accent/Brio FWD1.5L 4-cyl4-speed automatic223225$2,700
Accent/Brio FWD1.6L 4-cyl5-speed manual233427$2,500
Accent/Brio FWD1.6L 4-cyl4-speed automatic223225$2,700

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2001 Hyundai Accent → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 33 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 33 bulletins →

Other model years of the Hyundai Accent

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2022173502436—Rising
202116—4436—Stable
20201234,2504436—Not enough data
20193154,5001—324 · FewerRising
2018199991—32—Stable
20176851,000043136 · TypicalStable
201610250,000043149 · TypicalFalling
20157061,794243154 · TypicalStable
20147976,000143130 · FewerRising
201314245,000143273 · MoreRising
201215360,000243287 · MoreStable
20113845,0001—3014 · FewerRising
20108760,0001—3052 · TypicalFalling
200910171,0002—2966 · MoreFalling
200810149,6001—2950 · TypicalStable
20078865,0333—29Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20064361,0003—29Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20054960,0001—27Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20043336,0000—27Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20033735,0000—27Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200213443,4001—27Not compared (before 2008)Rising
200111252,5002—27Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20009261,0004—28Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19996174,9921—28Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19984766,0001—28Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19975569,4502—28Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199610186,2504—27Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199514271,7255—28Not compared (before 2008)Rising

All Hyundai Accent model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2001 Hyundai Accent?

Owners of this model year most often describe two kinds of trouble: front air bags that did not deploy in a collision, and a transmission that jolts, slips or loses power, often tied in complaints to a repeatedly replaced pulse generator. The issues reported most often: Transmission jolts, slips or loses power; Air bags did not deploy in a collision; Front subframe and control-arm corrosion.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2001 Hyundai Accent have?

NHTSA recorded 112 consumer complaints for the 2001 Hyundai Accent as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2001 Hyundai Accent is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 21 complaints (19% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 21.

Has the 2001 Hyundai Accent been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2001 Hyundai Accent get?

The EPA rates the 2001 Hyundai Accent (Accent/Brio, 1.6L 4-cyl) at 27 mpg combined, 23 city and 34 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,500 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2001 Hyundai Accent reported?

Among the 39 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 52,500 miles and the middle half falls between 29,099 and 85,000 miles; 49% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.