2022 Hyundai Accent Safety Report

The 2022 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, the vehicle has been subject to two significant safety recalls and a pattern of concerning complaints. With 15 total complaints, including 1 crash and 1 injury, the data suggests some real-world safety concerns. The most critical issues revolve around steering control and seat belt pretensioner defects, both addressed by recalls. Common complaint patterns, despite the low overall complaint count, highlight potential issues with the electrical system, steering, and even engine performance. For instance, there are reports of the instrument cluster malfunctioning, leading to loss of cruise control and speed indication, and even the car completely shutting off while driving. The 'UNKNOWN OR OTHER' category, which is the most frequent complaint component, suggests a variety of less categorized but still impactful issues. The recall history is particularly noteworthy. One recall (NHTSA Campaign Number 22V354000) addresses a defect where front seat belt pretensioners could explode and project metal fragments, posing a high risk of injury. The second recall (NHTSA Campaign Number 22V311000) concerns a potentially unsecured steering column bolt, which could lead to a complete loss of steering control and significantly increase crash risk. The presence of complaints referencing these specific recall issues, such as an owner not receiving notification for the steering column recall, indicates that these are not just theoretical risks but have manifested in owner experiences. In summary, while the 2022 Hyundai Accent performs well in controlled crash tests, the real-world data from NHTSA complaints and recalls points to several critical safety vulnerabilities, particularly concerning steering integrity and seat belt functionality. Buyers should ensure all recall repairs have been completed.

Our recommendation: Given the critical safety recalls and concerning complaints about steering, electrical issues, and engine performance, ensure all recall repairs are verified as completed before considering a 2022 Hyundai Accent.