The Hyundai Accent is like the antidote of what compact sedans have become today and brings in a fresher design, a big cabin, highly-refined engine, and all that at a good price. Speaking of which, the range for the Accent sedan starts at just $14,475 and spans two trims. The rivalry of the Accent is against the Nissan Versa, the Chevrolet Cruze, the Toyota Corolla, and the Honda Civic. The Accent commands a good hold of the sales with well over 60,000 units sold last year but these sales figures also met with criticism from the owners. The most commonly reported issue is with the airbag sensor and is reported in previous model years as well. This issue is joined by defects with the engine and excessive engine oil burning. There has been one recall but it doesn’t address any of the most recurring issues. Let’s see what other issues the car entails and why was it recalled in the 2015 MY. Also, the "Grant Roberson" experiences that "its 1.6L engine behind the wheel is somewhat lethargic". To know more, click on the video below:
2015 Hyundai Accent Problems
Electrical issues:
- Instrument console problems: The Accent instrument console is a distracting piece of hardware that flashes warning lights, although momentarily, and causes a lot of distraction to the driver. People say that the issue is recurring and creates a placebo effect as if something’s wrong with the vehicle when that is not the case.
- Radio problems: Many people complain that the radio of the 2015 Accent doesn’t hold the connection well. There are several complaints about signal drops and failed calls due to issues with the Bluetooth module. There are many complaints about the radio signals dropping as well which disables the radio altogether.
Mechanical issues:
- Engine knocking: The Accent engine knocking issues have caused a lot of trouble to the owners. People have complained about the car losing power while driving and giving out a loud knocking sound from the engine area. If the car starts, which it didn’t in many cases, it’ll drive in Limp Mode and limit the top speed of the car to just 30 MPH.
- Excessive engine oil burning: The Accent engine oil burning issue amplifies once it has racked up nearly 70,000 miles on the odometer. People say that the engine burns around 1 quart of oil every 800 miles and needs frequent top-ups. One complainant says that s/he carries a couple of quarts with him/her every time s/he drives the car. Alarmingly low engine oil levels cause engine knocking, the issue described above, and prolonged use may seize the engine.
- Steering issues: People have reported that the steering wheel makes a clicking sound when turning at low speeds. The issue replicates itself in Kia vehicles as well and the news is that the manufacturers will replace the steering coupler as a remedy.
Exterior issues:
- Weak front bumper locks: The Accent bumper reportedly falls off without warning and without any impact. Many people claim that the bumper fell off overnight when their car is parked. Some people have their bumpers fly out at highway speeds and cause a road hazard for the other motorists. The dealerships changed the bumper and upgraded the bumper locks for a more secure connection.
Safety issues:
- Occupant Detection System (ODS) malfunction: The ODS in the 2015 Accent is reported malfunctioning by many people across the country, and across model years as well. People say that the airbag warning light illuminates while driving and causes a distraction. Upon investigations, the root cause was found to be the ODS not registering the passenger. This disables the passenger-side airbags and increases the chances of injury in a crash.
2015 Hyundai Accent Recalls
|
S. No |
Date |
NHTSA ID |
Issues Noticed |
Additional Remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. |
April 13, 2015 |
15V218000 |
Airbags |
Failure of the Occupant Detection System (ODS) to recognize a child restraint seat in the front passenger seat may deploy the respective airbag in a crash, increasing the chances of injury to the child. |
Hyundai Motor America will notify the owners and initiate a recall on June 4, 2015. The dealerships will update the Occupant Detection System (ODS) software without any charge. Hyundai’s internal number to refer to this recall is 129. |
Should you buy the 2015 Hyundai Accent?
The 2015 Hyundai Accent provides a good entry point to the segment and is an excellent first car. The issues raise a lot of questions in the buyer’s mind but one thing to note is that these issues surface at higher mileage only. The mechanical issues are inexcusable for the manufacturer but can be avoided if proper checks and balances are kept while owning the car. One ought to beware of the radio issues which might cause distraction. The engine knocking requires regular top-ups while the steering issues will be remedied shortly. The newer batches have corrected ODS sensors and the people have one less thing to worry about. That said if you want to go for a used Accent always keep a check on the issues mentioned above and practice proper due diligence.
