2015 Hyundai Accent Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe the airbag warning light coming on, sometimes tied to the passenger seat occupant sensor and cold weather. Sudden stalls or power loss while driving, vehicle fires, and engine oil use that worsens with mileage are also commonly described, and some owners report airbags that did not deploy in collisions. Some early power-down events happened within the first few thousand miles, while the oil and engine failure complaints mostly come from higher mileage.

1. 1
   Air bags

   Airbag warning light and passenger seat sensor

   • 19 complaints (27%)
   • median 63,589 mi at 5.5 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2026

   Owners describe the airbag warning light turning on, staying on, or switching on and off, and in some reports the passenger seat occupant sensor or mat is named as the fault. Some say the light comes on in cold weather, and some report that the car could not pass state inspection with the light on, with replacement costs quoted to the owner. A mechanic reportedly said the passenger sensor was not working because of a computer fault, and the owner worried the airbag would not deploy in a crash. Where mileage is given, most reports fall between about 55,000 and 80,000 miles, and some describe the light coming on in cold weather.

   Recall 15V2180001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask the dealer to check the passenger seat sensor and mat for stored codes, and have them confirm the VIN status for recall 15V218000 and warranty extension 11033679 before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I'm having issues with the airbag light... Keeps coming on staying on when cold below 39 degrees.. One time last week came on at 54 degrees doing research the VIN is not on recall list but similar make model versions are over 2,500 recalls I was driving to the bank when this occurred about 8pm”

   NHTSA complaint #11184473, filed 2019-03, 57,000 miles

   “Yesterday, on march 26, 2021 during road trip an airbag light came on without no reason and it still stays on. On march 27, 2021 I called my dealer to get help. I was trying to ask them to waive inspection fee because it is safety concern, but they said no . My car is 6 years old, 66,000 mileage. I am first owner and this car was never involved in any crash. Because of present covid19 crisis I have not enough money to pay upfront for special inspections. I hope that I will get help in your department.”

   NHTSA complaint #11405126, filed 2021-03, 25 miles
2. 2
   Engine

   Sudden stalls and power loss while driving

   • 14 complaints (20%)
   • median 36,330 mi at 1.2 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2015–2025

   Owners describe the engine stalling, losing power, or powering down while driving or at traffic lights, often with the battery and engine warning lights coming on. Some say the car was towed after the failure, and in some reports the dealer found the transmission torque converter had locked up or the transmission needed replacement. Some owners say the problem returned repeatedly, and that restarting the car made it disappear until the next episode. Where mileage is given, reports range from about 135 to 124,000 miles, and the earliest episodes came in the first few thousand miles.

   What to check: Ask for records of any transmission or torque converter repair, and check the battery and engine warning lights during a test drive with repeated stops and starts.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “1) 6/8/15: when I stopped at a traffic light, the battery light came on and the car stalled. After I turned it off and turned it on again, the problem disappeared. 2) 7/27/15: a similar situation recurred, again after stopping at a traffic light. This time multiple warning lights came on, including engine oil pressure, parking brake/brake fluid and something else. The car stalled again. And again after turning it off and on the problem disappeared and then I could drive. 3) 9/24/15: I was driving at the speed of 60 MPH. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10776588, filed 2015-09, 2,660 miles

   “While driving on the interstate, car decelerated and would not go past 5 MPH. Had to get it towed. Throttle body replaced and now needs the the catalyt converter replaced in which I do not have the funds. There is an ongoing ticking/clicking sound in the engine, check engine light is currently on. While driving and coming to a red light, the car engine revved and the car started accelerating even though my foot was firmly on the brake. Car made a jerking move so I threw the gear into n and then park to stop the revving. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11397985, filed 2021-02, 79,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Vehicle fires from the engine area or electrical parts

   • 14 complaints (20%)
   • median 105,500 mi at 9.0 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • 11 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2018–2026

   Owners describe fires starting in the engine compartment, with smoke or flames under the hood, and in some reports the whole car burning. Other fires are described near the center console or radio, or inside a passenger door after the window was rolled up, with a melted door and an odor like an electrical fire. Some complaints say the manufacturer declined to pay for or repair the damage, and that the fire happened while the car was parked or while driving. Where mileage is given, reports range from about 25,000 to 180,000 miles, and the engine-compartment fires are all reported at about 78,000 miles or more.

   What to check: Ask the seller for recall and repair records, and inspect the engine bay, the passenger door, and the area under the radio for heat damage, melted parts, or a burning smell.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “2015 Hyundai Accent electrical malfunction on the front passenger door causing a fire. The car was parked but the window made a horrible noise when being rolled up. When I went back to the car, the door was all melted. Hyundai inspected the vehicle and stated the cause of the fire is unknown but declines fixing or replacing it. Every week its a new possible cause but nothing confirmed except unknown. The car is covered under the new vehicle warranty but my attorney has been unsuccessful . …”

   NHTSA complaint #11092755, filed 2018-05, 25,000 miles

   “Electrical malfunction with window device causing a passenger door fire. Also causing no headlights, rear lights, interior electrical everything, locks and windows all around the car not to function. Hyundai declines paying yet still wants this vehicle as is on the road. Please see attached photo. On 1/15/18 it was a cold day, I rolled the window down and attempted to roll it back up with the window started making noise. It did roll up and I proceeded back inside to work. I went outside on break and my car was on fire. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11092307, filed 2018-05, 25,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Engine oil consumption and engine failures

   • 21 complaints (30%)
   • median 78,000 mi at 4.5 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2015–2025

   Owners describe burning engine oil so quickly that they must check the level every few weeks or every 600 to 1,000 miles, with the problem described as getting worse over time. Some report ticking or clicking noises, check engine or oil warning lights, and loss of power before the engine stopped. In some reports the engine was found to have rod knock, low oil pressure, metal debris in the oil, or a hole through the engine, and a replacement was recommended. A fault in the oil pump was also reported, and the owner was told the engine could be damaged if driven. Where mileage is given, reports range from about 16,600 to 116,500 miles, and oil use is described as getting worse with higher mileage.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for oil change and top-up records, check the oil level before and after a test drive, and ask whether the oil consumption service bulletins 11038456 and 11038458 apply to the VIN.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Okay, I'm going to try my best at explaining what I am experiencing. This is my SECOND Hyundai Accent. The first car I had was a 2004 Accent. The second car I have now is a 2015. Both cars have the same exact problem. And I am NOT fixing it. This is definitely a MANUFACTURING ERROR. It's so dangerous too, because my engine could just BLOW UP. Anywhoooo, both cars just BURN OIL LIKE GAS. I repeat, BURN OIL LIKE GAS. I need to check the oil every (at the most) 2 weeks because of how badly oil is just burning up. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11492424, filed 2022-11, 116,518 miles

   “I change my oil on the date that it's due it my miles whichever comes first. I was out of town 2-20-21. The car was driving really rough.. Red light came in then off. The next day, my boyfriend took it to get and oil change which I still had 1,000 miles until the next oil change. They told him it was the oil pump. I don't understand how this would have happened bc I faithfully change my oil. I haven't been driving it bc they said it will blow up the motor. I have an appointment to get it towed and fixed. It's going to cost over $600.00. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11398162, filed 2021-02, 102,182 miles
5. 5
   Brakes

   Brake module recall 23V651000: part not available

   • 13 complaints (19%)
   • median 79,000 mi at 9.0 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2024

   Owners say they received the notice for recall 23V651000, which covers the anti-lock brake module, but the replacement part was not yet available or had not been ordered at the dealer. Some say the dealer confirmed the part was not available, and that the manufacturer had taken longer than a reasonable time to provide the repair, according to complaints. Some reports also describe a loss of motive power with a burning odor, or a loud pop followed by a fire under the hood. Where mileage is given, reports range from about 102,000 to 114,000 miles, and all describe a recall repair that was still pending.

   Recall 23V651000

   What to check: Ask the dealer to confirm the completion status of recall 23V651000 for the VIN, and ask for the repair record before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Around the middle of May 2024 I received a recall notice #23V651000. I made an appointment for approximately 2 weeks on June 5. When I arrived I was told the part was never ordered. Coconut Creek Hyundai said they would order the part and call me in a few days. After not hearing for 2 weeks I went back to Hyundai and was told the part hadn’t come in and to go home and they would call me in a few days. After several more weeks I went back and was told the part still hadn’t arrived. It was about a month and a half and still no part. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11615457, filed 2024-09

   “The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, with various electrical features activated, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated there was also a burning odor detected. No warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11569591, filed 2024-02, 114,000 miles

Buying note. Airbag warning light and vehicle fire reports are common for this model year, so ask for recall and warranty status using the VIN and have the airbag system and engine bay checked before buying. Stalls, engine oil use, and brake recall repair delays are also described, and an independent pre-purchase inspection with an oil level check and a review of stored codes can help.

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.