Is the 2016 Hyundai ACCENT reliable?

The 2016 Hyundai ACCENT has 160 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.6x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Hyundai ACCENT?

Top problems: ENGINE (32 complaints, avg repair $500); AIR BAGS (28 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (27 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Hyundai ACCENT?

No recalls have been issued for the 2016 Hyundai ACCENT.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Hyundai ACCENT?

The 2016 Hyundai ACCENT gets 31 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1548. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2016 Hyundai ACCENT?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 Hyundai ACCENT is approximately $1,449/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.

2016 Hyundai ACCENT

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Hyundai ACCENT has 160 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.6x the segment average of 97. The most common issue is engine problems (20% of all complaints), specifically: i've had my 2016 hyundai accent 5-door since november 2015. on several occasions, i e noticed two issues. the first is that coming to a complete stop, the brakes make a strong sound, which i was told at the dealership that there are no problems with the brakes. the second is when at a stop sign, etc. ⚠️ 8 fire reports filed.

8 fire reports 10 crash reports 11 injuries

160

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

1.6x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

32 complaints

20%

• I'VE HAD MY 2016 HYUNDAI ACCENT 5-DOOR SINCE NOVEMBER 2015. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, I E NOTICED TWO ISSUES. THE FIRST IS THAT COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE BRAKES MAKE A STRONG SOUND, WHICH I WAS TOLD AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT THERE ARE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. THE SECOND IS WHEN AT A STOP SIGN, ETC
• ENGINE OVERHEATED WHILE HIGHWAY DRIVING (SPEWING STEAM). WOULD NOT START AFTER COOLING DOWN. MOBILE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED A FAULTY COOLING FAN THAT HAD TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH RESERVOIR (NON-OEM REPLACEMENTS WERE ONLY AVAILABLE AT THE TIME). CONTINUED THE TRIP WITH NO FURTHER ENGINE TEMPERATURE PR
• MY VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION YESTERDAY THAT BROKE BOTH HEADLIGHTS, BUCKLED HOOD, KNOCKED THE ENGINE IN TO THE TRANSMISSION, AND BUSTED THE FRONT FAN AND COOLANT. THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AND NEITHER DID THE SEAT BELT LOCK. THE DRIVER WAS INJURED WITH HIS LIP, NOSE AND FOREHEAD BUSTED BE

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 2 fire reports💥 1 crashes

“I'VE HAD MY 2016 HYUNDAI ACCENT 5-DOOR SINCE NOVEMBER 2015. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, I E NOTICED TWO ISSUES. THE FIRST IS THAT COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE BRAKES MAKE A STRONG SOUND, WHICH I WAS TOLD AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT THERE ARE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. THE SECOND IS WHEN AT A STOP SIGN, ETC”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Hyundai ACCENT

Based on 70 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 49K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

Reported earliermedian 15K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

Reported earliermedian 20K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 48K mi · 13 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 42K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

Later than typicalmedian 60K mi · 13 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

Later than typicalmedian 93K mi · 13 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2016 Hyundai ACCENT

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,549

Per month

$129

Per mile

12.9¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$1,847/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,298/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 2016 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

$1,449

Full coverage / month

$121

Liability only / year

$598

vs US avg

-13%

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 rating0.98x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1449

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 2016 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

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 160 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: I'VE HAD MY 2016 HYUNDAI ACCENT 5-DOOR SINCE NOVEMBER 2015. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, I E NOTICED TWO ISSUES. THE FIRST IS THAT COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE BRAKES MAKE A STRONG SOUND, WHICH I WAS TOLD AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT THERE ARE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. THE SECOND IS WHEN AT A STOP SIGN, ETC
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 HYUNDAI ACCENT. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH AN ELK. ALL THE AIR BAGS IN THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK AND HAD BROKEN GLASS IN HER HAIR. THE FRONT SEAT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE DOWN THE HIGHWAY, ALL THE DASH LIGHTS STARTED LIGHTING UP AND THE GAUGES APPEARED TO STALL IN A RANDOM PLACE, THEN RESET. I WASN'T SURE IF THE CAR WAS STALLING OR IF IT WAS JUST AN ELECTRICAL GLITCH. THIS WAS A DISTRACTION AND TOOK MY ATTENTION OFF THE ROAD AS THE CHECK ENG
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: FILING A COMPLAINT BECAUSE I RECENTLY HAD A BLOWOUT AND ITS PRETTY MESSED UP AND DANGEROUS THAT THERE ISN'T A SPARE TIRE (DONUT) OR ANY TYPE OF TIRE CHANGING TOOLS SUPPLIED IN THE CAR OTHER THEN A BAG OF FIRST AID SUPPLIES AND STUFF FOR A FLAT. NEXT ISSUE IS WHAT GOOD DOES THE STUFF DO FOR THE FLAT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)