Hyundai Accent Common Problems

The Accent is Hyundai's light car, sold as a hatch and sedan. Older LC (2000 to 2006) and MC (2006 to 2010) cars still turn up, but most used Accents are the RB (2011 to 2019). Early RB cars have a 1.6 Gamma MPi petrol (G4FC) with a 5-speed manual or 4-speed auto, and a 1.6 CRDi diesel was offered briefly in 2012. From late 2013 the SR and Elite use a 1.6 GDi (G4FD) with a 6-speed manual or auto. The Series II Active (2015 to 2017) has a 1.4 petrol with a 6-speed manual or a CVT, and the 2017 to 2019 Sport uses the 1.6 GDi. The Accent is cheap to buy and run, but the GDi engine, the CVT and some automatics draw complaints.

Oil burning and piston slap (1.6 GDi G4FD, 2013 to 2019)

The direct-injected 1.6 in the SR, Elite and Sport can suffer cylinder bore scoring. Symptoms are oil use of more than a litre per 1,000 km and a knocking or tapping noise that is loudest from cold. If the oil runs low, the engine can seize. Hyundai dealers confirm the fault with a sealed-dipstick test over 1,000 km, and the fix is a rebuilt engine or a new block. A class action has been filed in the Federal Court alleging this engine in 2014 to 2019 Accents is defective; check its current status.

CVT noise and input shaft failure (1.4 CVT, Series II, 2015 to 2017)

Some owners of the Series II Active report grinding noises from the CVT at very low speed, and one expert answer puts this kind of noise and failure down to the input shaft. One 2015 Active owner was told the car needed a new transmission. If the gearbox has failed, a replacement can cost more than the car is worth, so ask Hyundai customer service for help even out of warranty. Have the CVT fluid changed regularly on any car you keep.

Automatic gearbox faults (4-speed and 6-speed auto, 2011 to 2019)

Owners report a range of automatic problems: a 2012 car stuck in one gear, a 2017 car with total gearbox failure, and transmission faults on 2019 Sports. Causes vary from low fluid or a valve body fault to internal failure. A faulty inhibitor switch on a 2019 Sport stopped the engine cranking. These are individual reports rather than a proven pattern, but a slipping or flaring auto on a cheap Accent can be an expensive repair, so test it carefully.

Surging and stalling (RB, 2015 to 2019)

Several owners of 2016 to 2018 Accents report surging at about 40 to 50 km/h or around 1,500 rpm, and others report stalling at lights or when turning. Ask a Hyundai dealer whether a software update applies, as one expert answer suggests Hyundai may have one. Intermittent cut-outs have proved hard for dealers to find. On the 1.4 CVT, stalling with the air conditioning on at idle has in at least one case been put down to a dirty throttle body, which is a cheap clean. A scan for fault codes is the first step.

Head unit audio failure (RB, 2014 to 2019)

A known fault in some RB head units makes the audio fail in stages, often FM first, then CD, then Bluetooth, and a reset does not fix it. Later owners also report Apple CarPlay and touchscreen faults. A specialist repair of the original unit, or an aftermarket replacement, is cheaper than a new factory unit. Avoid second-hand units from wrecked cars, as they may have the same fault.

Brake light switch fault (early RB, 2011 to 2012)

A June 2012 Hyundai bulletin covers a faulty brake light switch terminal, so early RB cars are the ones most likely to be affected. The brake lights may stop working, a warning light may come on, cruise control can drop out, the engine may not start, and automatics may not shift out of park. The fix is a revised switch terminal and is a cheap job. Some early RB cars also have a peeling steering wheel cover, which Hyundai has a repair for.

Recalls and safety

Recall campaigns can apply to any Accent and can be added years after a car was built. Have a Hyundai dealer check the VIN for open recalls and see our recalls page. On older LC and MC cars, also check that the airbag and ABS warning lights come on and go out at start-up.

Buying a used Hyundai Accent? What to check

• Oil level: Check the dipstick on 1.6 GDi cars. Low oil soon after a service points to oil burning.
• Cold start: Listen for tapping or knocking from cold that lasts more than a few seconds.
• CVT behaviour: On Series II Active autos, listen for grinding or whining at walking pace and feel for slipping.
• Automatic shifts: Check for smooth, timely changes, no flaring revs and no delay engaging drive or reverse.
• Idle and surging: Let the car idle with the air conditioning on, then drive at 40 to 60 km/h and feel for surging.
• Service history: Look for regular oil changes and any transmission fluid services, plus records of software updates.
• Head unit: Test FM, AM, Bluetooth audio and, on later cars, Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
• Brake lights: Have a helper confirm both brake lights work and that the auto leaves park easily.

Run a PPSR check to make sure there is no money owing, then use our Hyundai Accent buying checklist at the inspection.

The verdict

The safest Accent is an RB with the 1.6 MPi and a manual, or the 4-speed auto if it shifts cleanly, as these avoid both the GDi oil problem and the CVT. A 1.6 GDi SR, Elite or Sport is a good drive but needs a clean oil record and a quiet cold start. Be cautious with the Series II 1.4 CVT unless it has service records and drives silently. Pay for condition and history over the newest build year.