2018 Hyundai Accent Safety Report
2018 Hyundai Accent Safety and Reliability Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2018 Hyundai Accent
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2018 Hyundai Accent. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (1) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Low (17) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 4 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Engine | Compare engine issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2020 | Compare against the 2020 Hyundai Accent with 12 complaints and 4 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2016 | Check the 2016 Hyundai Accent before buying across this generation. |
Hyundai Accent Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Hyundai Accent years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Hyundai Accent | 29 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2017 Hyundai Accent | 66 | 0 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Hyundai Accent | 12 | 4 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2016 Hyundai Accent | 97 | 0 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2021 Hyundai Accent | 16 | 4 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2015 Hyundai Accent | 68 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2018 Hyundai Accent Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2018 Hyundai Accent, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Engine
6 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Hyundai onlyUnknown Or Other
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Hyundai onlyStructure
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Structure issues Hyundai onlyElectrical System
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Hyundai onlySuspension,Unknown Or Other
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Suspension,Unknown Or Other issues Hyundai onlyElectrical System,Exterior Lighting
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Exterior Lighting issues Hyundai onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2018 Hyundai Accent
Reliability Score
The 2018 Hyundai Accent receives a reliability score of 72 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
Known Issues for the 2018 Hyundai Accent
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2018 Hyundai Accent:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Excessive Oil Consumption The engine consumes excessive oil, leading to potential engine failure. This issue is severe and frequent, occurring in 20% of vehicles within the first 60,000 miles. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Trunk Latch Malfunction The trunk latches may malfunction, causing the trunk to open unexpectedly. This is a moderate issue, occurring in 10% of vehicles within the first 60,000 miles. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Electrical System Failures Electrical system failures, including brake light malfunctions, have led to fires in the trunk. This is a severe issue, occurring in 5% of vehicles within the first 60,000 miles. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Water Ingress Into Car Doors Water may enter the car doors during or after light rain, draining out through bottom drain holes. This is a low-severity issue, occurring in 5% of vehicles within the first 60,000 miles. |
Low | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2018 Hyundai Accent:
Engine issues are the most common problem, affecting 23% of vehicles.
Electrical system failures are the second most common issue, affecting 20% of vehicles.
Trunk latch malfunctions are the third most common issue, affecting 10% of vehicles.
Water ingress into car doors is the least common issue, affecting 5% of vehicles.
Recall Details for the 2018 Hyundai Accent
The following 1 recall has been issued for the 2018 Hyundai Accent by NHTSA:
Summary: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Sonata, 2016-2018 Sonata Hybrid, 2018-2020 Accent, and 2016-2017 Azera vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."
Consequence: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the trunk latch base, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 208.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2018 Hyundai Accent
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2018 Hyundai Accent with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 4 involved fires. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION = ENGINE FAILURE + NO WARRANTY HONORER
I have to check my oil every other day. For some reason my car is sucking up all the oil and I don’t believe I should be putting oil in it every other day.
Oil consumption is bad and I keep getting an oil change every month and a half
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Accent. 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. The approximate failure mileage was 144,801. The ...
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 por lo que estaba expuesta a tener un accidente aparte del check del motor apareció...
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 that I pulled over and tried to figure out where the smoke was coming from. When ...
My 17 yr old son was driving his 2018 Hyundai Accent home from work, and was merging onto the freeway and when he realized the cars in front of him dead stopped he slammed his brakes but was unable to stop in time. Happens all the time right? It should just have a little front end damage, when the vehicle in front of him only had minor bumper damage. But, instead, within just moments, his vehicle ...
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. A loud explosion sound came from the hood, it started smoking and we pulled the car off the road, moments later it caught fire and created an explosion spreading...
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.
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated the trunk failed to close. The contact stated that he tied a cord on the trunk ledger and added a hook to keep it closed however, the trunk was still slightly opened. The contact stated that he contacted the dealer several times to schedule an appointment for diagnostic testing, but the dealer had not returned his calls. The manufacturer w...
TENGO UN AUTO HUYNDAI ACCENT 2018 CON APARENTE PROBLEMA DE ALINEAMIENTO. AL MANEJAR Y SOLTAR EL GUIA EL AUTO SE MUEVE HACIA EL LADO IZQUIERDO INMEDIATAMENTE. LO HE LLEVADO A ALINEAR A DOS TALLERES DIFERENTES Y HA PASADO LA PRUEBA PERO CONTINUA CON EL MISMO PROBLEMA. SE LE ROTARON LAS GOMAS Y TODAVA SIGUE CON EL MISMO PROBLEMA. QUIERO SABER CUAL SERIA EL PROBLEMA DEL VEHCULO PARA PODER ARREGLARLO...
I'VE HAD MY CAR FOR LESS THAN 2 YEARS AND THE BATTERY COMPLETELY DRAINED/DEAD. HYUNDAI REFUSES TO COVER IT UNDER THE 3 YEAR WARRANTY DUE TO MY CAR HAVING OVER 36K MILES. THE CAR WAS BRAND NEW WHEN I PURCHASED IT AND I'VE NEVER HAD A CAR BATTERY DIED SO FAST EVER IN MY LIFE. ALSO, SOMETIMES THE BACKUP CAMERA WON'T TURN OFF AND WILL STAY ON EVEN AFTER DRIVING FROND FOR MORE THAN 10 MINUTES. IT WILL ...
WHEN MY WIFE USES A SEAT PILLOW FOR BACK PAIN ON THE NEW CAR THE LIGHT THAT THE AIR BAG IS NOT ENABLED COMES ON. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND DID NOT HAPPEN WITH A PREVIOUS HYUNDAI. I WAS TOLD BY THE SELLER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT THIS IS NORMAL. IT IS REPEATEDLY HAPPENING WHEN THE PILLOW IS IN USE.
WATER GETTING INSIDE OF CAR DOORS DURING/AFTER LIGHT RAIN. CONSIDERABLE AMOUNTS OF WATER DRAIN OUT OF DOOR BOTTOM DRAIN HOLES WHEN CAR DOORS ARE FIRST OPENED AFTER RAIN STORM. SOME WATER APPARENTLY DOES NOT DRAIN UNTIL ALL 4 DOORS ARE OPENED. I HAVE WAITED AS MUCH AS 24 HOURS ON AN HOT DAY BEFORE OPENING CAR DOORS AND STILL HAVE WATER DRAINING OUT. CONCERNED ABOUT LONG TERM RUST OUT OF DOOR BOTTOM...
ACCELERATOR PEDAL THAT IS TOO SENSITIVE. WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND I START TO ACCELERATE FROM STATIONARY, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAS AN INITIAL SURGE IN POWER THAT WAS NOT INTENDED BY USER INPUT. THIS COULD CAUSE THE CAR TO BE OUT OF THE USERS CONTROL MOMENTARILY AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF THE DRIVER DOES NOT ALLOW FOR THIS ISSUE. I HAVE RUN SOME DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS ON THIS VEHICLE AND CAN CO...
DEALER: COCONUT CREEK AUTO MALL 4960 NORTH STATE RD, COCONUT CREEK, FL 33073. I --PURCHASED A NEW 2018 HYUNDAI ACCENT ON MARCH 15TH, THE CAR'S MOTOR AFTER SEVERAL HOURS STARTED JERKING WHEN THE CAR CAME TO A STOP, THE REVOLUTION NEEDLED STARTED SPIKING. THE CAR STARTED TO SHAKE. - I RETURNED THE MARCH 15TH CAR (1ST CAR)BACK TO THE DEALER, THEY GAVE ME ANOTHER (2ND) NEW HYUNDAI ACCENT 2018. WE ...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2018 Hyundai Accent
Has the 2018 HYUNDAI ACCENT been recalled?
Yes, the 2018 HYUNDAI ACCENT has 1 recall on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2018 HYUNDAI ACCENT have?
The 2018 HYUNDAI ACCENT has 17 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. 1 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2018 HYUNDAI ACCENT?
The 2018 HYUNDAI ACCENT does not have an NHTSA safety rating on file. This can happen for newer model years, specialty vehicles, or models that have not been crash-tested.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 HYUNDAI ACCENT?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2018 HYUNDAI ACCENT involve engine (6 complaints), unknown or other (2 complaints), structure (2 complaints). Other affected components include electrical system, suspension,unknown or other, electrical system,exterior lighting.
How many crash reports does the 2018 HYUNDAI ACCENT have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2018 HYUNDAI ACCENT in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2018 HYUNDAI ACCENT have?
There are 4 fire reports for the 2018 HYUNDAI ACCENT out of 17 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2018 HYUNDAI ACCENT?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 HYUNDAI ACCENT.
How many injuries are reported for the 2018 HYUNDAI ACCENT?
1 injury has been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 HYUNDAI ACCENT. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2018 HYUNDAI ACCENT?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2018 HYUNDAI ACCENT is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 17 complaints, 1 recalls. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2018 HYUNDAI ACCENT?
The components with the most failures on the 2018 HYUNDAI ACCENT are: 1. ENGINE (6 complaints), 2. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2 complaints), 3. STRUCTURE (2 complaints), 4. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (2 complaints), 5. SUSPENSION,UNKNOWN OR OTHER (1 complaints). ENGINE is the single most-reported problem area with 6 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2018 HYUNDAI ACCENT?
Be cautious of potential engine failures and electrical system issues, especially with trunk latches and water ingress problems. The 2018 HYUNDAI ACCENT has 17 NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls on record.
How reliable is the 2018 HYUNDAI ACCENT?
The 2018 HYUNDAI ACCENT receives a reliability score of 72/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 17 owner complaints, 1 recalls, and 4 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Excessive Oil Consumption and Trunk Latch Malfunction.
What are the known issues with the 2018 HYUNDAI ACCENT?
Known issues with the 2018 HYUNDAI ACCENT include: Excessive Oil Consumption, Trunk Latch Malfunction, Electrical System Failures, Water Ingress into Car Doors. These are based on patterns found across 17 NHTSA complaints. 1 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the common issues with the 2018 Hyundai Accent?
Common issues include engine problems, electrical system failures, trunk latch malfunctions, and water ingress into car doors.
Is there a recall for the 2018 Hyundai Accent?
Yes, there is a recall for the 2018 Hyundai Accent related to trunk latch issues.
Can I get warranty coverage for engine oil consumption issues?
No, the excessive oil consumption issue is not covered under warranty.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of potential engine failures and electrical system issues, especially with trunk latches and water ingress problems.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2018 Hyundai Accent
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2018 Hyundai Accent. The data includes 17 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 1 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 4 fire incidents, 1 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16