Is the 2010 Hyundai ACCENT reliable?

The 2010 Hyundai ACCENT has 119 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.2x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: BRAKES problems.

What are common problems with the 2010 Hyundai ACCENT?

Top problems: BRAKES (23 complaints, avg repair $500); VISIBILITY (19 complaints, avg repair $500); LIGHTING (17 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2010 Hyundai ACCENT?

Yes, there are 1 recall(s): EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH. Contact any Hyundai dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2010 Hyundai ACCENT?

The 2010 Hyundai ACCENT gets 30 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1600. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2010 Hyundai ACCENT?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2010 Hyundai ACCENT is approximately $1,366/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2010 Hyundai ACCENT

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2010 Hyundai ACCENT has 119 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.2x the segment average of 97. The most common issue is brakes problems (19% of all complaints), specifically: as soon as i got on the freeway, the steering wheel, brake, and accelerator locked up. i managed to make it down the ramp to the side of the freeway. i put on the emergency brake because, the car kept rolling. i attempted to turn the car off but, the key was stuck in the ignition. the car was sti. There is 1 recall issued for this model year.

7 crash reports 6 injuries

119

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

BRAKES

23 complaints

19%

• AS SOON AS I GOT ON THE FREEWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL, BRAKE, AND ACCELERATOR LOCKED UP. I MANAGED TO MAKE IT DOWN THE RAMP TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY. I PUT ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BECAUSE, THE CAR KEPT ROLLING. I ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE CAR OFF BUT, THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THE CAR WAS STI
• MY HYUNDAI IS NEW WITH ONLY 7K MILES. BRAKES REPEATEDLY GRIND WITH A CRUNCHING NOISE IN SNOWY CONDITIONS TO POINT WHERE I HAVE DIFFICULTY STOPPING VEHICLE. PULLS TO RIGHT AND STEERING WHEEL SHAKES TO POINT WHERE YOU CAN SEE IT MOVING FROM A DISTANCE. FEELS LIKE PEDAL IS LOCKING AND BRAKES ARE NOT WO
• PURCHASED A NEW 2010 HYUNDAI ACCENT 11/17/09 IN JAN. AND FEB. 2010 WHEN SNOW WAS ON THE GROUND THE BRAKES WOULD THUD OR GRIND AND NOT STOP THE CAR. I CALLED RICK CASE HYUNDAI AND THEY SAID THAT'S WHAT ABS BRAKES DO TRY AND PUMP THEM WHEN STOPPING. AT THIS TIME THERE WAS ONLY 250 MLS ON THE CAR. THIS

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 3 crashes

“AS SOON AS I GOT ON THE FREEWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL, BRAKE, AND ACCELERATOR LOCKED UP. I MANAGED TO MAKE IT DOWN THE RAMP TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY. I PUT ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BECAUSE, THE CAR KEPT ROLLING. I ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE CAR OFF BUT, THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THE CAR WAS STI”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2010 Hyundai ACCENT

Based on 93 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 60K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

Earlier than typicalmedian 46K mi · 15 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

Earlier than typicalmedian 75K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

VISIBILITY

Reported earliermedian 53K mi · 15 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

Reported earliermedian 50K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

LIGHTING

In line with typicalmedian 61K mi · 14 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 64K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (1)

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH08/09/2015

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Hyundai Accent vehicles manufactured March 1, 2009, to February 11, 2011. In the affected vehicles, the brake light switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning brake light switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning brake light switch may also prevent the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position.

Risk: Failure to illuminate the brake lights during braking or the inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake switch, free of charge. The recall began on October 21, 2015. Owners may contact Hyundai's customer service at 1-855-671-3059 or by visiting www.HyundaiUSA.com/Campaign131. Hyundai's number for this recall is 131. This recall is an expansion of 13V-113.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2010 Hyundai ACCENT

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,600

Per month

$133

Per mile

13.3¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$1,778/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,334/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2010 Hyundai ACCENT

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,366

Full coverage / month

$114

Liability only / year

$611

vs US avg

-18%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.85x

= Full coverage estimate$1366

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Hyundai ACCENT Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

60K mi

Spark plugs

90K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

Turbo engines (1.6T, 2.0T) need premium fuel and more frequent oil (some owners service at 5,000 miles).

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Hyundai New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

5 yr / 60K mi

Powertrain

10 yr / 100K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

7 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / unlimited mi

10 years/100K powertrain warranty is transferable only to first purchaser after initial owner

These are the terms for a new Hyundai. If you're buying a used 2010 ACCENT, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Hyundai dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

LIGHTING(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 119 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
BRAKES: AS SOON AS I GOT ON THE FREEWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL, BRAKE, AND ACCELERATOR LOCKED UP. I MANAGED TO MAKE IT DOWN THE RAMP TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY. I PUT ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BECAUSE, THE CAR KEPT ROLLING. I ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE CAR OFF BUT, THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THE CAR WAS STI
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
VISIBILITY: I CONTINUALLY NOTICED THAT THE AIR VENTS EXPRESS A VERY SMELLY ODOR. WHETHER IT IS THE AIR CONDITIONER OR THE HEATER- MAKES NO DIFFERENCE. WENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE AIR CONDITIONER RESIDUE AND TO RUN MY FAN ON VENT TO GET RID OF THE MOISTURE BUILDUP. I HAVE DONE THIS FOR A COUPL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
LIGHTING: MY WIFE LEFT FOR WORK TUESDAY MORNING AND DURING HER COMMUTE THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT, BOTH HIGH AND LOW BEAMS QUIT. SHE PROBABLY PANICKED A LITTLE BUT DISCOVERED SHE COULD PULL THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER IN WHICH CAUSED THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS TO WORK. SHE GOT TO WORK THAT WAY AND LAST NIGHT I LOOKED AT IT.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ACCENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES FOR THE IGNITION, BATTERY AND PROBLEMS WITH STALLING. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC THAT LOCATED THE FAILURES AT THE BATTERY CABLE, THE IGNITION WIRING SYSTEM AND THE FRONT SUSP
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Hyundai dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)