Engine failure on a vehicle under 100,000 miles creates a risk of sudden loss of power while driving. A failing catalytic converter & coil packs can cause overheating and potential fire risk. These components were either pre-existing manufacturer defects or were damaged during the engine replacement process at Auto Nation Columbus (Columbus, GA), neither of which was disclosed to me as the owner.
Hyundai Accent engine failure problems
60 of the 2,034 owner complaints about the Hyundai Accent describe engine failure, most of them for the 2013 model year.
- owner complaints
- 60
- worst model year
- 2013
- typical repair cost reported
- $3,200
- typical mileage
- 92,000
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.
By model year
Often reported together
Check engine light 14Oil consumption 11Loss of power 8Knocking 8Stalling 6Steering lock-up 3Overheating 3Misfire 3
Trouble codes mentioned
P0420 1P0014 1P0011 1
What owners say
While traveling at highway speeds on [XXX] with three passengers, the vehicle suddenly suffered a catastrophic internal engine failure (severe rod knock), forcing an emergency deceleration in active traffic that put all occupants at risk of a rear-end collision. The sudden breakdown was immediately preceded by a flashing Check Engine Light and violent metallic knocking, despite the vehicle being regularly serviced and having a Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software update completed just one month prior at Motor Mile Hyundai in Christiansburg. The catastrophic failure and the immediate need for a complete engine replacement have since been confirmed verbally by the Hyundai service center. Actual milage on engine is approx. 145000 (Because of replaced instrument cluster by previous owner it shows approx. 195000) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The engine failed and requires a full engine replacement. The vehicle is currently at ALM Hyundai West, 1990 Thornton Rd, Lithia Springs, GA 30122, and is available for inspection upon request. Hyundai Motor America has already approved the engine replacement under a goodwill authorization, implicitly confirming the failure is manufacturer-related. The engine failure left the vehicle undrivable, forcing me to operate rental vehicles and arrange multiple tows across three dealerships over nearly two years. An engine failure at under 100,000 miles on a well-maintained vehicle poses a direct safety risk a sudden engine failure while driving at highway or city speeds could result in loss of vehicle control, creating a serious risk of collision for the driver and other road users.Yes. The engine failure has been confirmed by three separate authorized Hyundai dealerships: Ed Voyles Hyundai (Marietta, GA), AutoNation Hyundai (Columbus, GA), and ALM Hyundai West (Lithia Springs, GA). Hyundai Motor America's own goodwill approval of a full engine replacement on July 18, 2025 further confirms the failure.Yes. The vehicle has been inspected by three authorized Hyundai dealerships acting on behalf of the manufacturer. Hyundai Motor America's corporate team reviewed and approved the engine replacement as a goodwill repair. All inspection and repair documentation is on file and available upon request.
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds on several occasions, the steering wheel seized. No warning light was illuminated. The brakes locked up, causing a tire blowout. The contact stated that the tie rod was replaced. The contact stated that a neighbor assisted with freeing the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was informed that, due to the age of the vehicle, the struts and brake pads should be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
I have had this vehicle for 5 years and even replaced the engine in this vehicle for it to end up with the same issue. I take very good care of it and get its maintenance done. But the car is slow to get up to speed and misfires really bad. I replaced the spark plugs in it and they were coated in oil. The airbag sensor will come on indicating it’s not operating properly. Overall a very unreliable vehicle that has multiple issues. It has ended in catastrophic engine failure twice now
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the clutch pedal traveled to the floorboard and the low oil warning light illuminated. Due to the failure, the brakes failed to function properly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed and determined that the slave cylinder had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was concerned that the failure was related to an engine failure recall, and that the dealer and manufacturer had failed to provide the proper repair during the repair, which caused the current clutch and braking system failures. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 92,000.
Excessive oil consumption = engine failure + no warranty honorer
Driver: My [XXX] daughter (I was not in the vehicle), I am the owner. Mileage at incident: Approximately 89,000 miles (see Tire Discounters record, page 13). 2019 Hyundai Docs What happened: While driving on the highway, the vehicle suddenly lost power and stalled, requiring my daughter to pull over to the shoulder for safety. After the stall, the vehicle could not accelerate or operate normally. Earlier documented warning: On 9/23/24—only two days after purchase—Firestone documented “metallic glitter in the engine oil – possible internal engine wear,” indicating a possible internal defect (page 2). Hyundai service recommended and provided contact on 2 separate occasions to request Goodwill coverage. First attempt (no claim filed 10/2024), second attempt (claim mishandled by (2) Hyundai Motor America 2019 Hyundai Docs Post-stall findings: After the highway stall on 10/23/25, Tire Discounters documented misfire symptoms and recommended further evaluation (page 13). 2019 Hyundai Docs The vehicle was then towed to Columbia Hyundai, where a diagnostic on 11/12/25 confirmed: 0 PSI compression in Cylinder #3 100% leak-down Piston and cylinder-wall damage Valve/head involvement Recommendation for complete long-block engine replacement (See Columbia Hyundai diagnostic report, page 1.) 2019 Hyundai Docs Safety concern: The vehicle experienced a complete loss of power at highway speed, which created a potentially dangerous situation for the driver. Manufacturer response: Hyundai Motor America denied goodwill assistance and termed as warranty assistance and has not addressed the early-documented internal defect or the safety risk created by the highway stall. Can provide any other documentation needed for your review. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
My 2013 Hyundai Accent with 130K miles is experiencing excessive oil consumption. I'm replacing 1.5+ quarts per month to keep it at the full mark on the dipstick. After some research, it appears that lawsuits and Technical Service Bulletins have been issued to address the concerns, but the dealer says my vehicle does not qualify for these warranty/goodwill repairs. TSB 23-EM-008H, as an example, seems to apply to my vehicle. Can this be investigated please? I believe this vehicle qualifies for warranty/goodwill repairs and/or engine replacement.
The incident started August 15, 2025, I was driving my car and the traction light came on I stopped and turned it off. I proceeded to drive it after that and came home. Then I noticed my brake lights were constantly on so I took a piece of cardboard and folded it in a few folds and put it between the brake pedal and the brake switch it turned it off. I then proceeded the next day to drive my car it was doing fine until my caliper seized on my rotor and left me stuck on the side of the road, I then called a mobile mechanic he came out replaced the caliper on the left front driver side it still did not unseize my rotor for my caliper to move freely so he installed a new master cylinder it worked for 2 days then I was always driving it felt like the tire was falling off the car a lot of shaking and bouncing. So I parked it that unfortunately sees the caliper on the rotor again three times. I had a new caliper put on it worked for a week my traction light was off. And then my traction light came back on as I was driving it seized up again I've replaced a lot of fuses, new Masters cylinder, new caliper, new brake switch. I'm at a loss help me!!
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Hyundai Accent engine failure
Which Hyundai Accent years have engine failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2013 (9 complaints), 2016 (8 complaints) and 2017 (8 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix engine failure on the Hyundai Accent?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $3,200 (median of 6 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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