2010 Hyundai Accent Problems
Compared with other Hyundai Accent years
Typical for this model
52/100 1.1× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 1.1× that of a typical Hyundai Accent year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 19 of its 87 complaints were filed by the end of 2012.
- Most reported problem: Sun visor breaks loose and drops into view (20 complaints, median 55,000 mi).
- 1 recall campaign on record. A VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open recalls for a specific vehicle.
Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2011
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 87filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 60,000miles, 67 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns 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
- 30 mpgcombined, 1.6L 4-cyl FWD · 27 city / 36 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2010 Hyundai Accent (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Owners of the 2010 Hyundai Accent most often describe brake lights that stop working, usually traced to the brake light switch, and driver-side sun visors that break free and drop into the driver's view. Many complaints note that earlier model years had a recall for the brake light switch while this year did not. The rest of the sample is spread across engine stalling and misfires, brake pedal feel, lighting, and airbag or seat-sensor warnings, generally between roughly 30,000 and 100,000 miles.
- Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
Sun visor breaks loose and drops into view
- 20 complaints (23%)
- median 55,000 mi at 4.8 yrs old (15 state mileage)
- 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2013–2021
Complaints describe the driver-side sun visor, and sometimes the passenger side later, detaching at the pivot or hinge and hanging by its wire so it will not stay up. Owners say it drops into the line of sight while driving and they remove it or hold it up; dealers are mentioned rarely, and one owner says no warranty help was offered. Mostly reported between about 29,000 and 110,000 miles, often on highway drives.
What to check: Flip both visors up and down and check whether they hold position; inspect the pivot mount for cracks or a loose post.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Driving 75 MPH on the highway, the driver's visor fell into my line of sight, I wasn't using the visor as it was dark making it very hard to see. It's electric so it didn't fall all the way just into my line of vision. I had to hold it in place and move to the side of the road to safely attempt to fix it.”
NHTSA complaint #10896184, filed 2016-08, 110,000 miles“While driving on the freeway, the driver's side sun visor suddenly fell down and blocked all visibility. The sun visor will no longer stay up and dangled above the steering wheel until I removed it. A cheap plastic part broke inside causing it to fall, startling me and nearly causing an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #10621109, filed 2014-08, 29,000 miles - Exterior lighting
Brake lights stop working (brake light switch)
- 18 complaints (21%)
- median 62,205 mi at 5.0 yrs old (14 state mileage)
- filed 2012–2016
Owners describe all brake lights, often including the third light, going out without warning, and sometimes the turn signal cutting out when the brake pedal is pressed. Several say the pedal switch was the cause and that replacing it restored the lights; a few report the dealer confirmed no open recall for this year while earlier Accents were covered. One complaint notes a fuse check did not resolve it. Reported from roughly 32,000 to 108,000 miles, with many examples between 46,000 and 65,000 miles.
What to check: With a helper, press the brake pedal and confirm all three rear lights come on, then try the turn signal while braking. Ask whether the brake light switch has been replaced.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Preparing to make a right turn I notice when I press on my brakes my signal would stop blinking. Brakes and signal do not work together anymore. So now I can not signal my intention and brake at the same time. I read that there was a recall on brake lamp switch but not for 2010. So the issue still a problem for 2010 Accent....”
NHTSA complaint #10626473, filed 2014-08, 68,800 miles“My Hyundai Accent model year 2010 had an issue where the brake lights went out completely. Model years 2007-2009 are under an active recall for the brake light switch and my car had the same problem. I called Hyundai and they advised the switch is different but the data I can find shows the same fault exists in the 2010 as well. This is a safety issue Hyundai is refusing to fix...the NHTSA needs to investigate and expand the recall to other model years.”
NHTSA complaint #10661029, filed 2014-11, 60,200 miles - Brakes
Brake pedal feels soft, grinding or slow to stop
Mentioned in 8 of 60 sampled complaints
Owners report grinding or a crunching noise and a pedal that seems to go down without stopping the car, often described in wet or snowy conditions and sometimes at low speed on the first stop of the day. Several say the dealer told them the behavior was normal for the anti-lock brakes, while others report a rear-wheel lockup or a pedal going to the floor during an emergency stop. Reported from very low mileage up to about 100,000 miles, with several examples under 30,000 miles.
What to check: Test the brakes on a wet or loose surface and feel for a firm, consistent pedal; ask for a brake inspection and any fluid-leak notes.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“I was approaching a line of cars stopped at a red light and it was raining. When I applied my brakes the rear wheels of my anti-lock brake system failed and the rear wheels locked up. I slid out of control into the rear of the car in front of me.”
NHTSA complaint #10468751, filed 2012-08, 7,743 miles“Takata recall: I was driving slowly in the rain when some cars in front of me started to stop. I slowed down but as I hit the breaks the car didn't respond. I pressed the pedal more and nothing happened, then it went down all the way. I moved the steering wheel to the right to prevent a crash but it still happened. My car is a total loss. My airbags didn't go off either and I had no break light indicating that my breaks would fail or that they were faulty.”
NHTSA complaint #11235101, filed 2019-07, 101,803 miles - Air bags
Airbag warning light or seat occupant sensor
Mentioned in 8 of 60 sampled complaints
Owners describe the passenger airbag warning light staying on whether or not someone is in the seat, with dealers replacing the occupant sensor and, in one case, the light returning. Another complaint reports a driver airbag that did not deploy in a frontal collision. Reported from about 27,000 to 95,000 miles, with several cases below 60,000 miles.
What to check: Turn the ignition on and confirm the airbag light goes out after the self-test, and check whether the passenger seat sensor has been replaced under the extended coverage.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“I was driving approximately 20mph when I heard a breaking noise from underneath my 2010 Hyundai Accent when I lost steering power, the brakes didn't work and the accelerator as well. This caused me to lose control of my car resulting in me crashing into another parked vehicle. Thank god it wasn't on a hwy going 65-70 MPH. I see there aren't any recalls on any of the mentioned problems. …”
NHTSA complaint #10626227, filed 2014-08, 75,400 miles“I believe that there is a problem with the cars main computer. Apparently my car ran out of oil and the indicator light merely flickered at me a few times and then went out. Had to have vehicle towed to shop when it stalled, no codes found in the computer. Shop changed oil. Engine was reported as noisy upon delivery but noise gone after oil change. Shop decided the issue was lack of oil. Two days later check engine light comes on and tachometer would not function. …”
NHTSA complaint #10715429, filed 2015-05, 97,000 miles - Engine
Engine stalling, misfire and check-engine light
- 12 complaints (14%)
- median 61,705 mi at 4.9 yrs old (12 state mileage)
- filed 2011–2018
Owners describe the check engine light coming on with the car shaking, hesitating, or stalling while driving, and in some cases the engine shutting off in traffic. Reported repairs include ignition cables and spark plugs, a fuel pump and sensor, and camshaft sensors, with one owner saying the stalling recurred after the fuel pump was replaced. Reported from about 17,000 to 95,000 miles, with several cases near 60,000 to 78,000 miles.
What to check: Ask for any stored diagnostic codes and service records for ignition or fuel-system work, and take a test drive that includes an incline and stop-and-go traffic.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“The ignition cables and spark plugs are faulty and had to be replaced just after 60,000 miles. I was driving and suddenly my check engine light started flashing, my car was shaking, and not shifting past first gear. Had it towed to a mechanic. They said the ignition cables and spark plugs were faulty. They had seen this on Hyundai's before.”
NHTSA complaint #10930117, filed 2016-12, 60,000 miles“My car just stopped on me while driving so put a used engine in from ebay and a couple years later that one died on me while on the highway. I believe the pistons blew out the back”
NHTSA complaint #11099264, filed 2018-06, 90,000 miles
Buying note. Check that all brake lights work and that both sun visors stay up, and ask for any records of brake light switch, ignition, or fuel-system repairs. A pre-purchase inspection with a scan for stored airbag and engine codes is worthwhile on this year.
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 87 consumer complaints for the 2010 Hyundai Accent. 67 of the complaints include a mileage, and 40% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 60,000 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 39 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 10 Hyundai Accent model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 52 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
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.
- Brakes23 26%
- Exterior lighting16 18%
- Electrical system12 14%
- Air bags10 11%
- Engine7 8.1%
- Steering7 8.1%
- Other or unknown6 6.9%
- Engine cooling4 4.6%
- Suspension4 4.6%
Also reported: Fuel system (3), Tires (3), Vehicle speed control (2), Interior lighting (1), Body and structure (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1).
Example complaints
Brakes: “Car had a light ticking sound for days off and on ......was driving down road and car starting revving up driving on it's own. Tried to apply brakes would not stop tried to shut car down wouldn't let me. Got car into neutral then applied brakes got car to stop and off road. Waited till I regained composure started car and it sounded fine. Started down rd again drove about 4 miles and went to pull into hess station did again and almost shot us through front of store. …”
NHTSA complaint #10660470, filed 2014-11, 95,000 milesVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “As I was driving, the driver side visor dislodged from its swivel point obstructing my view and distracted me from driving. Months later, the passenger side has done the same thing. Both now just hang from the wire connecting it to the lighting component. Very dangerous and scary!”
NHTSA complaint #10669808, filed 2015-01, 50,000 milesExterior lighting: “While driving at normal operating speed, I was alerted by another motorist that my brake lights weren't working. I replaced the brake light switch and that fixed the problem. While researching the issue, I noticed a recall of Hyundai accents for the years prior to 2010, but the recall did not include 2010s. I verified with the dealer that I had no open recalls, so I replaced the part at my own expense. It seems the brake light switches are still not reliable in these cars.”
NHTSA complaint #10759642, filed 2015-08, 108,000 milesElectrical system: “While my vehicle was in motion, driving straight after 2 right turns, after approximately 5 minutes of driving, a thin wisp of smoke rose up from my steering column, or near my steering column, on the left side. From my general google research, this appears to be an electrical problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10938580, filed 2016-12, 88,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
40% of the 67 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 30,600 and 88,000 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.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2010 Hyundai Accent. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accent · sedan FWD | not rated | 5 / 5 | — | — | — |
| Accent Hatchback · hatchback FWD | not rated | 5 / 5 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2010 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).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accent FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 27 | 36 | 30 | $2,250 |
| Accent FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 28 | 34 | 30 | $2,250 |
| Accent Blue FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 27 | 36 | 31 | $2,150 |
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
- 15V566000Sep 8, 2015Exterior lighting › Brake lights › SwitchCovers: Hyundai Accent 2009–2011
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Hyundai Accent vehicles manufactured March 1, 2009, to February 11, 2011. In the affected vehicles, the brake light switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning brake light switch may…
Recall details for the 2010 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. 39 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11038722Oct 15, 2026Back-over prevention (rear camera). Some Hyundai vehicles may be equipped with a parking distance warning (PDW) sensor(s) that may trigger various DTCs and display warning messages on the instrument cluster, resulting in the PDW…
- 11038458Oct 8, 2026Engine. Some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning procedure for vehicles…
- 11038456Oct 7, 2026Engine. Certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures for vehicles…
- 11032523Apr 10, 2026Air bags. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile…
- 11032522Apr 10, 2026Air bags. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo…
- 11025476Nov 6, 2025Exterior lighting. This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. This TSB illustrates…
- 10251285Feb 14, 2024Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). This bulletin contains information about the proper removal of the windshield wiper blade protective cover on all models. If the protective cover is not removed correctly, there is a possibility of…
- 10247189Oct 13, 2023Engine cooling. This bulletin provides important checkpoint guidelines when performing engine oil and filter change services.
- 10235566Apr 24, 2023Body and structure. Hyundai applies a Paint Protection Film (PPF) on new vehicles before delivery to dealerships. It provides a barrier between the paint and contaminants, such as rail dust, acid rain, and industrial…
- 10230904Jan 30, 2023Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. This TSB illustrates…
Other model years of the Hyundai Accent
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 17 | 350 | 2 | 4 | 36 | — | Rising |
| 2021 | 16 | — | 4 | 4 | 36 | — | Stable |
| 2020 | 12 | 34,250 | 4 | 4 | 36 | — | Not enough data |
| 2019 | 31 | 54,500 | 1 | — | 32 | 4 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2018 | 19 | 999 | 1 | — | 32 | — | Stable |
| 2017 | 68 | 51,000 | 0 | 4 | 31 | 36 · Typical | Stable |
| 2016 | 102 | 50,000 | 0 | 4 | 31 | 49 · Typical | Falling |
| 2015 | 70 | 61,794 | 2 | 4 | 31 | 54 · Typical | Stable |
| 2014 | 79 | 76,000 | 1 | 4 | 31 | 30 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2013 | 142 | 45,000 | 1 | 4 | 32 | 73 · More | Rising |
| 2012 | 153 | 60,000 | 2 | 4 | 32 | 87 · More | Stable |
| 2011 | 38 | 45,000 | 1 | — | 30 | 14 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2010 | 87 | 60,000 | 1 | — | 30 | 52 · Typical | Falling |
| 2009 | 101 | 71,000 | 2 | — | 29 | 66 · More | Falling |
| 2008 | 101 | 49,600 | 1 | — | 29 | 50 · Typical | Stable |
| 2007 | 88 | 65,033 | 3 | — | 29 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2006 | 43 | 61,000 | 3 | — | 29 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 49 | 60,000 | 1 | — | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 33 | 36,000 | 0 | — | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 37 | 35,000 | 0 | — | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 134 | 43,400 | 1 | — | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2001 | 112 | 52,500 | 2 | — | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 92 | 61,000 | 4 | — | 28 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 61 | 74,992 | 1 | — | 28 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 47 | 66,000 | 1 | — | 28 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 55 | 69,450 | 2 | — | 28 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 101 | 86,250 | 4 | — | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 142 | 71,725 | 5 | — | 28 | Not 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 2010 Hyundai Accent?
Owners of the 2010 Hyundai Accent most often describe brake lights that stop working, usually traced to the brake light switch, and driver-side sun visors that break free and drop into the driver's view. The issues reported most often: Sun visor breaks loose and drops into view; Brake lights stop working (brake light switch); Brake pedal feels soft, grinding or slow to stop.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2010 Hyundai Accent have?
NHTSA recorded 87 consumer complaints for the 2010 Hyundai Accent as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2010 Hyundai Accent is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 23 complaints (26% of the total), followed by visibility with 19.
Has the 2010 Hyundai Accent been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2010 Hyundai Accent get?
The EPA rates the 2010 Hyundai Accent (Accent, 1.6L 4-cyl) at 30 mpg combined, 27 city and 36 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,250 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2010 Hyundai Accent reported?
Among the 67 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 60,000 miles and the middle half falls between 30,600 and 88,000 miles; 40% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. 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.