Total Complaints
40 filings
HYUNDAI ACCENT · model year
40 NHTSA complaints, 12 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2004HYUNDAIACCENT carries 40 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 12 crashes, 3 fires, 20 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2004 ACCENT is air bags with 6 filings, followed by steering (4) and air bags:frontal (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 37 investigation files overlapping the 2004 ACCENT, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
40 filings
Crashes Reported
12 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 6 |
| STEERING | 4 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 3 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 3 |
| TIRES | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL) | 1 |
| AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION | 1 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | 1 |
SUDDEN ACCELERATION OF VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING ON ROAD AT REGULAR SPEED. THIS HAS HAPPENED NOW FOR THE THIRD TIME SINCE OCTOBER 2017. THE LATEST INCIDENT ON 4/23/2018.
Mileage: 67,505
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI ACCENT. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, A SEVERE VIBRATION WAS FELT FROM THE REAR WHEELS. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND OBSERVED THAT THE REAR CONTROL ARM WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. UPDATED 10/06/16*LJ *TR
Mileage: 95,000
TAKATA RECALL ON 11/29/2015 DRIVING ON PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE GOING 60-65 MPH VEHICLE IN FRONT STOPPED. IMPACT TOTALED CAR. HOOD CRUMBLED UP, HEADLIGHT WITH COMPLETE HOUSING DESTROYED, RADIATOR SPILLED FLUID, ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND MY HEAD HIT WINDSHIELD. NO WEATHER ISSUES. ACCIDENT OCCURRED AROUND 12:30 PM. POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND CAR TOWED. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
Mileage: 79,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI ACCENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TURNING LEFT, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE AN UNKNOWN PART WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 HYUNDAI ACCENT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BURNS ON THE ARM THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. IT WAS UNKNOWN WHICH AIR BAG CAUSED THE INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
Mileage: 82,000
WIFE, 64,WAS DRIVING OUR ONE-OWNER 2004 HYUNDAI ACCENT GL ON PRIVATE ROAD APPROX 15 MPH WHEN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY IMPACT OF ANY SORT TO VEHICLE. WIFE WAS BADLY BRUISED ON ARMS AND FACE AND WINDSHIELD WAS SHATTERED BY PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG COVER WHEN BAGS DEPLOYED. WE WERE FORTUNATE THAT SHE WAS NOT ON BUSY STREET OR ON INTERSTATE AS THIS WOULD HAVE CERTAINLY RESULTED IN A WRECK WITH SEVERE BODILY INJURY OR POSSIBLE DEATH. LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP (PERKINS MOTORS, COLORADO SPRINGS) REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING. HYUNDAI HQ CUSTOMER SERVICE COMMITTED TO "SENDING US A PACKET OF PAPERWORK TO BE FILLED OUT AND RETURNED TO THEM BY US AND THEY WOULD GET BACK TO US IN 6 TO 8 WEEKS ONCE IT WAS RECEIVED TO SEE IF THEY WOULD DO ANYTHING." NO ONE FROM HYUNDAI HAS EXPRESSED ANY INTEREST IN SEEING THE VEHICLE OR RESPONDING TO A POTENTIALLY VERY HAZARDOUS VEHICLE. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR LACK OF ANY SENSE OF OBLIGATION TO SEE WHAT WENT WRONG AND HOW IT MIGHT BE AVOIDED IN THE FUTURE.
Mileage: 32,000
WIFE, 64,WAS DRIVING OUR ONE-OWNER 2004 HYUNDAI ACCENT GL ON PRIVATE ROAD APPROX 15 MPH WHEN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY IMPACT OF ANY SORT TO VEHICLE. WIFE WAS BADLY BRUISED ON ARMS AND FACE AND WINDSHIELD WAS SHATTERED BY PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG COVER WHEN BAGS DEPLOYED. WE WERE FORTUNATE THAT SHE WAS NOT ON BUSY STREET OR ON INTERSTATE AS THIS WOULD HAVE CERTAINLY RESULTED IN A WRECK WITH SEVERE BODILY INJURY OR POSSIBLE DEATH. LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP (PERKINS MOTORS, COLORADO SPRINGS) REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING. HYUNDAI HQ CUSTOMER SERVICE COMMITTED TO "SENDING US A PACKET OF PAPERWORK TO BE FILLED OUT AND RETURNED TO THEM BY US AND THEY WOULD GET BACK TO US IN 6 TO 8 WEEKS ONCE IT WAS RECEIVED TO SEE IF THEY WOULD DO ANYTHING." NO ONE FROM HYUNDAI HAS EXPRESSED ANY INTEREST IN SEEING THE VEHICLE OR RESPONDING TO A POTENTIALLY VERY HAZARDOUS VEHICLE. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR LACK OF ANY SENSE OF OBLIGATION TO SEE WHAT WENT WRONG AND HOW IT MIGHT BE AVOIDED IN THE FUTURE.
Mileage: 32,000
WIFE, 64,WAS DRIVING OUR ONE-OWNER 2004 HYUNDAI ACCENT GL ON PRIVATE ROAD APPROX 15 MPH WHEN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY IMPACT OF ANY SORT TO VEHICLE. WIFE WAS BADLY BRUISED ON ARMS AND FACE AND WINDSHIELD WAS SHATTERED BY PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG COVER WHEN BAGS DEPLOYED. WE WERE FORTUNATE THAT SHE WAS NOT ON BUSY STREET OR ON INTERSTATE AS THIS WOULD HAVE CERTAINLY RESULTED IN A WRECK WITH SEVERE BODILY INJURY OR POSSIBLE DEATH. LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP (PERKINS MOTORS, COLORADO SPRINGS) REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING. HYUNDAI HQ CUSTOMER SERVICE COMMITTED TO "SENDING US A PACKET OF PAPERWORK TO BE FILLED OUT AND RETURNED TO THEM BY US AND THEY WOULD GET BACK TO US IN 6 TO 8 WEEKS ONCE IT WAS RECEIVED TO SEE IF THEY WOULD DO ANYTHING." NO ONE FROM HYUNDAI HAS EXPRESSED ANY INTEREST IN SEEING THE VEHICLE OR RESPONDING TO A POTENTIALLY VERY HAZARDOUS VEHICLE. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR LACK OF ANY SENSE OF OBLIGATION TO SEE WHAT WENT WRONG AND HOW IT MIGHT BE AVOIDED IN THE FUTURE.
Mileage: 32,000
WHILE DRIVING OVER A SPEED BUMP THE DRIVER WAS DISTRACTED BY CHILDREN PLAYING IN STREET. THE DRIVER VEERED RIGHT STRIKING A TELEPHONE POLE HEAD ON. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER NOT SERIOUSLY INJURED, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WAS TOTAL. *JS
Mileage: 30,000
AT 2,466 MILES, CAR PULLS TO RIGHT, AND IS DIFFICULT TO HOLD STEADY WHEN TURNING AT HIGH SPEEDS. TAKEN TO BURLINGAME HYUNDAI DEALER FOR REPAIR. TIRES WERE ROTATED. PROBLEM NOT RESOLVED. AT 4,782 MILES CAR WAS BROUGHT IN AGAIN FOR STEERING DIFFICULTY, FEELS LIKE THERE IS A TIRE GOING FLAT. FOUND THAT LEFT FRONT WHEEL WAS BENT. TIRES ROTATED AGAIN, BENT WHEEL ON LEFT REAR, REPLACEMENT PART ORDERED. (UNDER WARRANTY) AT 5,393 MILES, CAR SHAKES AT ANY SPEED. BENT WHEEL WILL NOT BALANCE. REPLACEMENT PART SUPPOSEDLY PUT ON CAR. PROBLEM NOT RESOLVED. AT 25,616 MILES CAR TAKEN TO SAN FRANCISCO HYUNDAI FOR MULTI-POINT INSPECTION. DEALER RECOMMENDED 2 NEW TIRES AND ALIGNMENT. AT 25,797 MILES, CAR TAKEN TO ANOTHER SERVICE CENTER FOR ALIGNMENT AND NEW TIRES. CUSTOMER WAS TOLD THAT ALL 4 TIRES WERE ROTTED AND ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED. CUSTOMER WAS TOLD FOR THE FIRST TIME THAT THERE IS NO WAY TO ALIGN THE CAMBER OR CASTER ON THIS MAKE/MODEL CAR. LEFT FRONT CAMBER WAS OUT OF SPECIFIED RANGE
Mileage: 2,466
AT 2,466 MILES, CAR PULLS TO RIGHT, AND IS DIFFICULT TO HOLD STEADY WHEN TURNING AT HIGH SPEEDS. TAKEN TO BURLINGAME HYUNDAI DEALER FOR REPAIR. TIRES WERE ROTATED. PROBLEM NOT RESOLVED. AT 4,782 MILES CAR WAS BROUGHT IN AGAIN FOR STEERING DIFFICULTY, FEELS LIKE THERE IS A TIRE GOING FLAT. FOUND THAT LEFT FRONT WHEEL WAS BENT. TIRES ROTATED AGAIN, BENT WHEEL ON LEFT REAR, REPLACEMENT PART ORDERED. (UNDER WARRANTY) AT 5,393 MILES, CAR SHAKES AT ANY SPEED. BENT WHEEL WILL NOT BALANCE. REPLACEMENT PART SUPPOSEDLY PUT ON CAR. PROBLEM NOT RESOLVED. AT 25,616 MILES CAR TAKEN TO SAN FRANCISCO HYUNDAI FOR MULTI-POINT INSPECTION. DEALER RECOMMENDED 2 NEW TIRES AND ALIGNMENT. AT 25,797 MILES, CAR TAKEN TO ANOTHER SERVICE CENTER FOR ALIGNMENT AND NEW TIRES. CUSTOMER WAS TOLD THAT ALL 4 TIRES WERE ROTTED AND ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED. CUSTOMER WAS TOLD FOR THE FIRST TIME THAT THERE IS NO WAY TO ALIGN THE CAMBER OR CASTER ON THIS MAKE/MODEL CAR. LEFT FRONT CAMBER WAS OUT OF SPECIFIED RANGE
Mileage: 2,466
THE HEATER FAN IN THE CAR WOULD ONLY WORK ON HIGH SPEED. IT WAS A CONTINUAL OCCURRENCE, THEREFORE IT WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE INTERIOR HEAT AND DEFROSTER. IT WAS REPAIRED BY REPLACING THE SPEED CONTROL SWITCH. THE MECHANIC SHOWED ME WHAT HAD FAILED ON THE SWITCH WERE TWO RECEPTACLES WHERE THE METAL WAS SHOULD HAVE BEEN SOLID BUT HAD GOTTEN SO HOT THAT IT HAD MELTED AND THERE WAS NO LONGER A CONNECTION. I FELT COMPELLED TO REPORT THIS AS IT CONCERNED ME THAT IT MAY CAUSE A FIRE. *TR
Mileage: 85,000
THE HEATER FAN IN THE CAR WOULD ONLY WORK ON HIGH SPEED. IT WAS A CONTINUAL OCCURRENCE, THEREFORE IT WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE INTERIOR HEAT AND DEFROSTER. IT WAS REPAIRED BY REPLACING THE SPEED CONTROL SWITCH. THE MECHANIC SHOWED ME WHAT HAD FAILED ON THE SWITCH WERE TWO RECEPTACLES WHERE THE METAL WAS SHOULD HAVE BEEN SOLID BUT HAD GOTTEN SO HOT THAT IT HAD MELTED AND THERE WAS NO LONGER A CONNECTION. I FELT COMPELLED TO REPORT THIS AS IT CONCERNED ME THAT IT MAY CAUSE A FIRE. *TR
Mileage: 85,000
I OWN A 2004 HYUNDAI ACCENT. FOR THE PAST 3 YEARS THE TRANSMISSION HAS HAD SIGNIFICANT ISSUES. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WILL RANDOMLY SLAM INTO A LOWER GEAR OR WILL GET STUCK IN A GEAR. THIS CAUSES SAFETY ISSUES DURING WINTER DRIVING BECAUSE THE VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD AT TIMES WHEN SHIFTING. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ENTER INTO TRAFFIC, THE CAR WILL BE STUCK IN 3 GEAR WHICH ALMOST HAS CAUSED AN ACCIDENT SEVERAL TIMES BY PULLING OUT TOO SLOW. I HAVE HAD IT IN TWICE TO THE TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM WITHOUT AN ENGINE CODE. THEY FLUSHED, FILLED AND PUT A NEW FILTER IN THE TRANSMISSION BUT THIS DID NOT HELP. SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL WORK FINE FOR MONTHS OR A YEAR AT A TIME. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND THERE SEEMS TO BE MANY OWNERS THAT HAVE VOICED SIMILAR CONCERNS. *TR
Mileage: 36,000
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2004 HYUNDAI ACCENT. THERE IS A SMALL HOOK THAT HAS BECOME DETACHED FROM UNDERNEATH THE FLOORMAT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THERE IS A SMALL HOLE IN THE FLOORMAT THAT IS SUPPOSED TO KEEP THE FLOORMAT IN PLACE. BECAUSE THE SMALL HOOK HAS BECOME DETACHED THE SMALL HOLE IN THE FLOORMAT SLIDES OF THE HOOK THEREBY CAUSING THE FLOORMAT TO MOVE FORWARD. I HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED ANY UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, BUT I THINK THIS COULD BECOME A PROBLEM. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS A SIMILAR PROBLEM TOYOTA HAS EXPERIENCE IN SOME OF THEIR VEHICLES, BUT I THOUGHT IT SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO YOUR ATTENTION. *TR
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2004 HYUNDAI ACCENT. THERE IS A SMALL HOOK THAT HAS BECOME DETACHED FROM UNDERNEATH THE FLOORMAT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THERE IS A SMALL HOLE IN THE FLOORMAT THAT IS SUPPOSED TO KEEP THE FLOORMAT IN PLACE. BECAUSE THE SMALL HOOK HAS BECOME DETACHED THE SMALL HOLE IN THE FLOORMAT SLIDES OF THE HOOK THEREBY CAUSING THE FLOORMAT TO MOVE FORWARD. I HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED ANY UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, BUT I THINK THIS COULD BECOME A PROBLEM. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS A SIMILAR PROBLEM TOYOTA HAS EXPERIENCE IN SOME OF THEIR VEHICLES, BUT I THOUGHT IT SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO YOUR ATTENTION. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI ACCENT PURCHASED JANUARY 2006. WHILE DRIVING SHE HEARD A LOUD SCRAPING NOISE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENTIRE LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILED BECAUSE THE BOLTS THAT KEPT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM SECURE BECAME LOOSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT THEY REFUSED LIABILITY. REPAIRS WERE MADE AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
Mileage: 92,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI ACCENT. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS LOOSENED AND DISCONNECTED FROM THE ARM. THE DEALER TIGHTENED THE WIPER NUTS AND INSTRUCTED THE CONTACT TO NOT USE THE WIPERS DURING HEAVY RAIN OR SNOW BECAUSE THEY CANNOT MODIFY THE WIPERS EACH TIME THEY BECOME LOOSE. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE WIPERS ARE UNSAFE BECAUSE THEY CAN BECOME LOOSE AT ANY TIME AND CAUSE LIMITED VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000. 2/21/10 UPDATED 03/02/10
Mileage: 4,000
I PURCHASED THE CAR BACK IN 2003 FROM A DEALERSHIP UP IN NEW YORK CITY. HYUNDAI OF MANHATTAN,I WAS EXPERIENCING PROBLEM. WITH THE CAR. THEN FIRST IN WAS WITH THE WIRING HARNESS.THAT AFFECT THE TRANSMISSION, AND THEN WITH THE CAR BLOWING OXYGEN SENSORS, AND THEN WITH THE MANIFOLD SYSTEMS THE PROBLEMS WARE TAKEN CARE OF THEN I HAVE MOVED TO RALEIGH,NORTH CAROLINA. FROM NYC BACK IN 9/2006, THEN I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE WIRING HARNESS,AGAIN. AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BACK IN 11/2007. THAT PROBLEM WAS TAKEN CARE OF I HAVE BEEN GOING TO HYUNDAI OF SOUTHERN STATE IMPORTS OF RALEIGH. FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS SINCE I HAVE BEEN HERE AND THEY ARE VERY FAMILIAR WITH MY CAR THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY BACK THEN. UNTIL I REACHED 71,226 MILES THE CARS WARRANTY 60,000 MILES TO 100,000 BUMPER TO BUMPER. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT THEY WAITED UNTIL MY WARRANTY EXPIRED TO TELL ME THAT MY CARE WOULD NEED A.1,WIRING ASSY ENGINE TOTAL PRICE OF 930.53, 2,COVE
Mileage: 71,069
I PURCHASED THE CAR BACK IN 2003 FROM A DEALERSHIP UP IN NEW YORK CITY. HYUNDAI OF MANHATTAN,I WAS EXPERIENCING PROBLEM. WITH THE CAR. THEN FIRST IN WAS WITH THE WIRING HARNESS.THAT AFFECT THE TRANSMISSION, AND THEN WITH THE CAR BLOWING OXYGEN SENSORS, AND THEN WITH THE MANIFOLD SYSTEMS THE PROBLEMS WARE TAKEN CARE OF THEN I HAVE MOVED TO RALEIGH,NORTH CAROLINA. FROM NYC BACK IN 9/2006, THEN I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE WIRING HARNESS,AGAIN. AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BACK IN 11/2007. THAT PROBLEM WAS TAKEN CARE OF I HAVE BEEN GOING TO HYUNDAI OF SOUTHERN STATE IMPORTS OF RALEIGH. FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS SINCE I HAVE BEEN HERE AND THEY ARE VERY FAMILIAR WITH MY CAR THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY BACK THEN. UNTIL I REACHED 71,226 MILES THE CARS WARRANTY 60,000 MILES TO 100,000 BUMPER TO BUMPER. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT THEY WAITED UNTIL MY WARRANTY EXPIRED TO TELL ME THAT MY CARE WOULD NEED A.1,WIRING ASSY ENGINE TOTAL PRICE OF 930.53, 2,COVE
Mileage: 71,069
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.