The 2021 Hyundai Accent has a notable reputation for its engineering, but the presence of multiple recalls raises serious concerns about passenger safety, particularly regarding the braking system and seat belts vital for child protection. With peak failure mileage occurring around 25,300 miles, current owners should be vigilant about these issues.
Key Factor:Multiple safety recalls
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Safety Alert
Safety Alert: This model has a higher recall frequency (4) than the average HYUNDAI vehicle (1.7). Owners should prioritize checking these components.
4 recalls for this vehicle1.7 avg. recalls per vehicle (brand)
📋Why This Matters
The defects identified in the 2021 Hyundai Accent—specifically involving seat belts and brakes—pose significant risks to passengers, especially children seated in the back. The potential for reduced braking performance due to master cylinder defects can lead to dangerous stopping situations, while faulty seat belt pretensioners may fail to secure occupants during a crash. These factors collectively amplify the importance of addressing safety recalls promptly, as they directly impact the well-being of vulnerable passengers.
Focus Area:Safety Profile
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Expert Analysis
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Recall Trend:No Change in recalls
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Primary Risk Area:Warning
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Vs Brand: Worse than avg (1.7)
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Summary: Considering this vehicle's year-over-year safety trends, it's clear that while Hyundai generally upholds a solid engineering reputation, the existence of four recalls highlights an unfortunate deviation from this norm. The risk profile suggests that prospective buyers should approach this model with caution given its concerning safety record.
Safety & Reliability Score
62/100
Score Breakdown
Recall Impact-32
Complaint Impact-0.8
Investigation Impact-5
Technical Specifications
Key specifications for the 2021 HYUNDAI Accent
Model Year2021
MakeHYUNDAI
ModelAccent
Fuel TypeGasoline
Body ClassPassenger Vehicle
Safety History Timeline
Scroll for more →
Jan21
NEWProduction
Jan21
RECALLRecall Issued
Feb21
RECALLRecall Issued
Aug21
ISSUEFirst Report
Jun22
RECALLRecall Issued
Sep22
RECALLRecall Issued
Apr23
INVInvestigation Opened
Consumer Complaint Analysis
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Most Reported Issue
1 complaints (6% of total)
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Complaint Trend
Stable
No trend data
✅
Safety Incidents
No critical incidents
Complaint Severity Distribution
Breakdown of 16 consumer complaints by severity level.
🟠High
1(6%)
🟡Medium
1(6%)
🟢Low
14(88%)
Mileage Failure Analysis
⚙️Engineering Insight
With peak failure occurring between 20k-40k miles, existing owners should remain aware that issues may arise relatively early in their vehicle's lifespan. This range indicates a heightened need for proactive inspections, especially for critical systems like brakes and seat belts that ensure passenger safety.
📊 Mileage data extracted from 1 of 16 complaints (6% coverage)
0-20k
0 reports (0%)
20k-40k
1 reports (100%)
40k-60k
0 reports (0%)
60k-80k
0 reports (0%)
80k-100k
0 reports (0%)
100k+
0 reports (0%)
* Analysis based on mileage data extracted from consumer complaint descriptions. Actual failure rates may vary.
🛠️ DIY Diagnosis Center
Experiencing an issue? Select a symptom to find official manufacturer solutions (TSBs).
Primary Risk Areas
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICSEAT BELTSSTEERING
🎯Risk Areas & Recommended Actions
Based on recall data, these components require verification:
1
Service Brakes
Issue: Brake master cylinder may have sharp edges damaging oil seal leading to reduced braking performance.
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Owners must schedule an inspection at their dealership immediately to check brake functionality.
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Buyers should verify if all recall repairs on brakes have been completed before purchase.
Campaigns:21V-12321V-124
2
Seat Belts
Issue: Front seat belt pretensioners may explode upon deployment in crashes.
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Current owners must contact a dealer to confirm whether necessary repairs have been made on seat belts.
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Prospective buyers should ask for proof of completed recall work related to seat belts.
Campaign:21V-125
💡Visit NHTSA.gov or contact your HYUNDAI dealer to verify recall completion status.
Official Safety Recalls (4)
Campaign: 21V937000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
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Summary
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021 Accent vehicles. The brake master cylinder may have been manufactured with sharp edges that can damage the inner oil seal, resulting in reduced braking performance.
Consequence
Reduced braking performance can cause longer brake pedal travel or extend the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 213.
Additional Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Campaign: 22V069000
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
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Summary
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Accent vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioner(s) may explode upon deployment.
Consequence
An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, striking vehicle occupants and resulting in injury.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 24, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 219. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 21V-796. This recall is replaced by NHTSA recall number 22V-354. Vehicles already repaired under this recall will need to have the new remedy completed.
Additional Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Campaign: 22V311000
STEERING:COLUMN
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Summary
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Accent vehicles. A bolt in the steering column may not be secured properly, which can cause the steering column to detach from the steering rack and result in a loss of steering control.
Consequence
Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and tighten the lower steering column u-joint retention bolt, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 5, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 226.
Additional Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Campaign: 22V354000
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
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Summary
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Accent, 2021-2022 Elantra, and 2021-2022 Elantra HEV vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioners may explode upon deployment.
Consequence
An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, strike vehicle occupants, and result in injury.
Remedy
Dealers will secure the seat belt pretensioner(s) with a cap, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 28, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 229. This recall expands and replaces NHTSA recall numbers 21V-796, 22V-069, 22V-218, and 22V-123 for Accent, Elantra, and Elantra HEV vehicles. All Accent, Elantra, and Elantra HEV vehicles already repaired under the previous recalls will need to have the new remedy completed.
Additional Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
NHTSA Investigations
1 investigation
Official NHTSA safety investigations for 2021 Accent.
INV-2021-1000🟢 Closed
NHTSA opened investigation after receiving consumer complaints regarding Accent performance issues.
Opened: Affected Units: 45,169
Consumer Complaints
16 total complaints
Consumer-reported issues submitted to NHTSA for 2021 Accent.
Common Reported SymptomsAI Analysis
Warning6%
Acceleration Issues6%
Battery6%
Stuck6%
Fire6%
Engine/Powertrain🔵 Low
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at 40 MPH, the vehicle lost automotive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed; however, the contact was informed there was no fault found with the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Electrical🔵 Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES
Hard time stopping and controlling the vechile
Engine/Powertrain🔵 Low
ENGINE
The contact leased a 2021 Hyundai Accent through Enterprise Rent-A-Car. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power for about 5 seconds while accelerating and decelerating through traffic. The contact stated that he was able to duplicate the failure five times and related the failure to the engine; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact returned the vehicle to Enterprise Rent-A-Car and `informed them about the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Steering/Suspension🔵 Low
WHEELS
During a tire swap, another lug nut broke off while trying to remove it. This issue has occurred before, and it seems that the faulty lug nut problem is still present. The car has only been serviced at Hyundai dealerships, and the tires were last rotated during a service at an authorized Hyundai dealership before this incident. The affected lug nut this time was on the front passenger side.
Engine/Powertrain🔵 Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
My 2021 Hyundai accent has randomly not started a in more than 10 different times. The lights go on and you can hear it trying to start but it never catches to actually start. It’s under warranty but the dealer says if they can’t see it when it’s happening then they can’t fix anything. I bought a new battery with dealer recommendations but I still hace they problem. I only have 25,300 miles on this 2 year old car.
Steering/Suspension🔵 Low
WHEELS
This is the fourth lugnut/stud that has failed. This time it was during routine maintenance at an authorized dealership during tire rotation.
Steering/Suspension🔵 Low
WHEELS
Fifth lug nut failure within a span of less than 6 months. Today during winter to summer tire snow change, front passenger side lug nut broke while it was being removed. This is the 4th incident in my vehicle with regards to the lug nuts. Less than two weeks ago, during routine maintenance at a Hyundai dealership, another lugnut broke and I have also registered a complaint here.
Safety Systems🔵 Low
SEAT BELTS
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Accent. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V354000 (Seat Belts) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Safety Systems🔵 Low
SEAT BELTS
UNKNOWN (RECALL SEATBELT)
Steering/Suspension🔵 Low
WHEELS
The studs and the lug nuts have consistently cross-threading and corrosion issues in a barely-year-old vehicle. I have had to visit the dealer twice to have this problem fixed and paid out of pocket. This started to happen ever since my last service at a Hyundai dealership. I suspect that this is because of low quality or defective lugnuts/studs that are being used, which is causing the lugnuts to be stuck and break off while trying to remove them. 2 of the lugnuts and studs in the vehicle had to be broken off to be removed last week (11/28/22). Yesterday (12/04/2022) during a tire change, another lugnut/stud broke off during removal. Hyundai should look into this faulty lugnuts/stud problem and have it resolved.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main safety concerns with the 2021 Hyundai Accent?
The main safety concerns with the 2021 Hyundai Accent involve issues with service brakes and front seat belt pretensioners. The hydraulic brake system has been recalled due to potential performance failures stemming from manufacturing defects in the brake master cylinder. Additionally, there is a risk of front seat belt pretensioners exploding upon deployment during a crash, which can severely compromise passenger safety.
How do I know if my 2021 Hyundai Accent has outstanding recalls?
'To check if your vehicle has any outstanding recalls, you can visit the NHTSA website or contact your local Hyundai dealership with your VIN number. They will be able to provide you with comprehensive information regarding any open campaigns related to your car model and assist you in scheduling necessary repairs.'
📊Year-over-Year Context
➡️Stable Pattern
Compared to earlier years, the 2021 model shows stable reliability patterns. No meaningful structural change detected in recall frequency between adjacent model years.
🧭What This Means for You
Families with young passengers, pregnant drivers, or those with frequent highway commutes should prioritize this information.
If you're unsure, we recommend starting with a VIN check or consulting a certified mechanic.
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If You Own This Vehicle
Immediate Action: If any recalls are listed as 'incomplete', contact a certified HYUNDAI service center—repairs are performed at no cost to you.
Unaddressed recalls pose real-world risks. Prioritize scheduling any pending repairs to maintain vehicle integrity.
Proactive tip: Enroll in HYUNDAI's owner notification program for real-time safety updates.
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If You're Buying Used
Obtain proof of recall completion for all 4 campaigns before purchase.
Account for potential service downtime when calculating your initial ownership budget.