2021 Hyundai Accent Safety Report

2021 Hyundai Accent: Good crash ratings, but multiple critical recalls for steering, brakes, and seat belts.

16Complaints
4Recalls
★★★★☆Safety Rating
65/100Reliability Score
1Fire Reports
1Injuries
Most reported components: Seat Belts (6)Wheels (4)Engine (3)Electrical System,Service Brakes (1)Electrical System,Engine (1)Steering,Wheels (1)

AI Safety Analysis for the 2021 Hyundai Accent

The 2021 Hyundai Accent presents a mixed safety picture. While it achieved respectable crash test ratings from NHTSA, including a 4-star overall rating, 4-star frontal, 5-star side, and 4-star rollover rating, it has been subject to a notable number of recalls for a relatively new vehicle. With only 16 total complaints, the vehicle has 4 recalls, indicating proactive safety measures by the manufacturer or significant identified defects. A concerning pattern emerges with seat belt pretensioner issues, leading to two separate recalls (NHTSA Campaign Numbers 22V354000 and 21V790000) due to the risk of metal fragments injuring occupants. Furthermore, a recall for steering column detachment (NHTSA Campaign Number 21V860000) and another for reduced braking performance due to a faulty master cylinder (NHTSA Campaign Number 21V791000) highlight critical safety concerns that could increase the risk of a crash. Despite the low complaint count, the nature of the recalls points to serious potential safety defects that owners should address immediately.

Reliability Score

The 2021 Hyundai Accent receives a reliability score of 65 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.

Known Issues for the 2021 Hyundai Accent

The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2021 Hyundai Accent:

IssueSeverityFrequencyTypical Mileage
Exploding Seat Belt Pretensioners
Front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioners may explode upon deployment, projecting metal fragments and causing injury. This is covered by two recalls (22V354000, 21V790000).
High Common N/A miles
Steering Column Detachment
A bolt in the steering column may not be secured properly, leading to detachment and loss of steering control (Recall 21V860000).
High Occasional N/A miles
Reduced Braking Performance
Brake master cylinder may have sharp edges damaging the oil seal, resulting in reduced braking and increased stopping distance (Recall 21V791000).
High Occasional N/A miles
Lug Nut/Stud Failure
Multiple complaints indicate lug nuts breaking off or having cross-threading/corrosion issues, even during routine maintenance.
Medium Common Under 10000 miles
Loss Of Motive Power/Engine Stalling
Vehicle unexpectedly loses power while driving, with no warning lights, making it difficult to control.
High Occasional N/A miles
Failure To Start
Vehicle lights turn on and it attempts to start, but the engine never catches, occurring randomly multiple times.
Medium Occasional N/A miles

Common Problems Reported by Owners

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2021 Hyundai Accent:

Seat Belts 37% of complaints

Six out of 16 complaints relate to seat belts, primarily concerning the recall for exploding pretensioners and the unavailability of parts for repair.

Wheels 25% of complaints

Four complaints mention issues with wheels, specifically recurring problems with lug nuts breaking or having corrosion/cross-threading.

Engine 18% of complaints

Three complaints are related to the engine, including loss of motive power while driving and failure to start.

Steering,Wheels 6% of complaints

One complaint describes an alignment problem where the steering consistently pulls to the left.

Service Brakes 6% of complaints

One complaint mentions difficulty stopping and controlling the vehicle, aligning with the brake master cylinder recall.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2021 Hyundai Accent

Is the 2021 Hyundai Accent safe?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 Hyundai Accent received good crash test ratings (4-star overall, 5-star side). However, it has been subject to 4 significant recalls addressing critical safety issues like exploding seat belt pretensioners, steering column detachment, and reduced braking performance. While the number of complaints (16) is low, the nature of the recalls indicates serious potential safety risks that must be addressed through recall repairs.

What are common problems with the 2021 Hyundai Accent?

The most reported issues for the 2021 Hyundai Accent are related to seat belts (6 complaints, primarily recall-related), wheels (4 complaints, specifically lug nut failures), and engine problems (3 complaints, including loss of power and failure to start). There's also a recall for steering column detachment and brake master cylinder issues.

Are there any recalls for the 2021 Hyundai Accent?

Yes, the 2021 Hyundai Accent has 4 recalls. These include two recalls for exploding front seat belt pretensioners (22V354000, 21V790000), one for a steering column bolt that can cause detachment (21V860000), and one for a brake master cylinder issue leading to reduced braking performance (21V791000).

How does the 2021 Hyundai Accent perform in crash tests?

The 2021 Hyundai Accent received strong crash test ratings from NHTSA: a 4-star Overall Safety Rating, 4 stars for Frontal Crash, 5 stars for Side Crash, and 4 stars for Rollover.

What should I do if I own a 2021 Hyundai Accent?

If you own a 2021 Hyundai Accent, it is critical to check if your vehicle is affected by any of the 4 open recalls, especially those concerning seat belts, steering, and brakes. Contact a Hyundai dealership immediately to schedule any necessary recall repairs, as some complaints indicate difficulty in obtaining parts for these repairs.

Buyer Advice

Our recommendation: Given the critical safety recalls despite good crash ratings, prioritize verifying all recall repairs have been completed. Be aware of potential lug nut issues and engine power loss, and factor these into your purchasing decision.

NHTSA Data Summary for 2021 Hyundai Accent

This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2021 Hyundai Accent. The data includes 16 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 4 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 1 fire incidents, 1 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.

The NHTSA has assigned the 2021 Hyundai Accent an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.

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.