AI Damage2018 Hyundai Accent: common problems
Owners of the 2018 Hyundai Accent filed 19 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and electrical system. The maker issued 67 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 19
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 67
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 42% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 16% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 11% of all complaints
- 4 Structure 11% of all complaints
- 5 Air bags 5% of all complaints
- 6 Latches, locks, linkages 5% of all complaints
- 7 Exterior lighting 5% of all complaints
- 8 Suspension 5% of all complaints
- Engine: 8 complaints (42% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Electrical system: 3 complaints (16% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 32.
- Service brakes: 2 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 3.
- Structure: 2 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Air bags: 1 complaints (5% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.6 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
- manual, 6-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 19 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 8 | 0 | 2 |
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 | 32 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Air bags | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| Powertrain | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Tires | 0 | 0 | 3 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The break light came on. The local garage says I need a new master cylinder, and the dealer I purchesed the car from will not verify an extended warantee item or silent recall. This master cylinder part is all over the the internet as defective on multiple years.
The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled, with the check engine and the low oil warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure.
El carro lo agarré en el dealer hace dos meses, regresé al día siguiente para que me arreglaran la alineación que me la dieron mala cada vez que conducía por el freeway el carro a alta velocidad se me jalaba hacia el lado izquierdo y es muy incómodo estar presionando con fuerza a la hora de manejar por largas horas…
Recibi recall de seguridad hyndai accent 2018 indicando que la cerradura del baul no funcione correctamente. This could cause the trunk to open on its own or not want to open when you need to open it. The dealer indicates that the notification does not appear in the systems and that the trunk does not open
The system that malfunctioned was the brake light(s) and/or electrical components which started a fire in the trunk of my car on 2 separate occasions. On one of the occasions, the top break light in my trunk apparently blew out without my knowledge, it wasn't until my two kids in the backseat started to smell smoke…
But, instead, within just moments, his vehicle burst into flames and he only had seconds to react. He grabbed his phone and wallet and had to exit through the passenger door because he was on the freeway and needed to get to safety. His car was completely engulfed in flames and burnt the entire car.
My 2018 Hyundai Accent caught fire in motion on the way to get gas on June 21, 2021. The car had no recalls and no electrical issues prior to the explosion. Fire department ruled the accident as electrical, I had the vehicle for 6 months.
My 2018 Hyundai Accent had to recalls when purchased with a auto loan January 2021, In June 2021 the vehicle caught fire and exploded in the motion. Vehicle had been serviced for brake rear drums, 2 diagnostics before June. Fire department ruled fire as electrical.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,274 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 39% least complained about).
On average one model year of the Accent has 38 complaints (7 years in the data). This year has 19, below average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil…
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 diagnosed with this…
- Certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil…
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 exhibiting this condition…
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and…
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 Safety System Co…
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding…
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 Automobile Safety…
- Upon customer's request ONLY, the Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 25-01-089H provides the service…
Upon customer's request ONLY, the Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 25-01-089H provides the service procedure for installation of a key cylinder reinforcement protector assembly and two anti-theft decals on the front…
- In addition to the Anti-Theft software provided under Service Campaign 993 (TSB 24-01-009H-1), a zinc…
In addition to the Anti-Theft software provided under Service Campaign 993 (TSB 24-01-009H-1), a zinc reinforced ignition cylinder protector hardware upgrade is being made available to customers upon request. This…
- This bulletin provides the service procedure for installation of a key cylinder reinforcement protector…
This bulletin provides the service procedure for installation of a key cylinder reinforcement protector assembly and two anti-theft decals on the front windows.
- In response to this trend, we engineered a software upgrade that addresses the social media theft method…
In response to this trend, we engineered a software upgrade that addresses the social media theft method and made it available to owners of eligible models free of charge at authorized Hyundai dealers since early 2023…
- This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the…
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 the various causes of…
- Some vehicles may exhibit a loss of connectivity or interruptions in the middle of using Bluelink Service…
Some vehicles may exhibit a loss of connectivity or interruptions in the middle of using Bluelink Service functions. This may be due to an irregular disconnection on Verizon’s communication network. Follow the…
- Certain 2018 – 2019 model year Accent and certain 2016 – 2017 model year Tucson vehicles may display…
Certain 2018 – 2019 model year Accent and certain 2016 – 2017 model year Tucson vehicles may display various Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) related to the Airbag Control Unit (ACU), which may cause the airbag warning…
- Certain 2018-2020MY Accent (HC) and 2016-2018MY Tucson (TL) vehicles may experience inoperable Airbag…
Certain 2018-2020MY Accent (HC) and 2016-2018MY Tucson (TL) vehicles may experience inoperable Airbag Control Unit (ACU) and have Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) stored in the ECM. Hyundai is extending warranty coverage…
NHTSA lists 67 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Hyundai Accent?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, electrical system, service brakes. Total complaints: 19. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (21%), oil leak or consumption (16%), warning lights, check engine (11%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2018 Hyundai Accent?
NHTSA lists 67 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2018 Hyundai Accent from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2018 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.