I have replaced the GDI engine on the 2017 Hyundai Accent once. I have also had the catalytic converter replaced 3x. The car lunges as if there will be another catalytic converter issue soon. Hyuandi recommended a fuel induction completion to prevent the issue from occurring again, but it did. This is a safety issue because the car and stall out at any given time. The cause of this issue has yet to be detected. It is believe a recall is needed on the GDI engine and catalytic converter.
Hyundai Accent stalling problems
92 of the 2,034 owner complaints about the Hyundai Accent describe engine stalls while driving, most of them for the 2012 model year.
- owner complaints
- 92
- worst model year
- 2012
- typical repair cost reported
- $500
- typical mileage
- 64,426
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 23Loss of power 9Knocking 8Engine failure 6Won't start 5Warning lights 5Transmission failure 5Misfire 5
Trouble codes mentioned
P0335 1
What owners say
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)
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled, with the check engine and the low oil warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 144,801. The VIN was not available.
Component/System Failure: The component that has malfunctioned is the engine. This issue is critical and affects the vehicle's overall performance. The malfunctioning engine is available for inspection upon request, and I am willing to facilitate this inspection to substantiate my claim. Safety Risk: The engine's failure poses a significant safety risk, including potential engine stalling or loss of power while driving, which could lead to accidents or collisions. The ongoing issue has compromised my safety and that of other road users. Confirmation of the Problem: The problem has been confirmed by [Dealership Name/Independent Service Center]. They have verified the engine issue and noted it in their service records. I can provide documentation from this service center upon request. Inspection by Manufacturer or Others: The vehicle has been inspected by [Dealership Name] and Hyundai Motor America (HMA) corporate. The problem was also discussed with Hyundai representatives, including Amanda, who is aware of the issue and the relevant maintenance records. There has been no inspection by police or insurance representatives related to this specific issue. Warning Lamps, Messages, or Symptoms: Prior to the engine failure, there were several warning lamps and messages indicating engine problems. These symptoms first appeared on [Date of First Warning], giving preliminary notice of the impending failure. Despite these warnings, the necessary repairs or goodwill intervention were not provided. Given the seriousness of the situation and the impact on my daily life, including the necessity to use rental cars, take time off work, and travel extensively, I request the following: Immediate Approval of Goodwill Repair: Reassess and approve the goodwill repair for the engine issue based on the accurate maintenance records provided. Compensation for Inconvenience: Compensation for time off work, rental car costs, travel expenses, and emotional distress caused by this situation.
My 2015 Hyundai Accent started having issues with oil consumption at about 80,000 miles or so. I was having to check and add oil to the vehicle regularly in addition to oil changes. The oil consumption issue got worse as the vehicle got higher in miles, having to check and add oil every 600-1000 miles approximately. I was not aware of the known issue with Hyundai motors and the oil consumption so I was not tracking milage or dates of adding oil unfortunately. At about 100,135 miles, the vehicle suddenly broke down on my way to work. There was no warning other than the oil consumption problem. The car RPMs got very high and the car started decelerating until it wouldn't go forward anymore and was stalled on the side of the road. I had the vehicle towed to a Hyundai dealership and at this time it waiting for the diagnosis, however, they are sure that the head gasket has to be removed (for $500) to get that diagnosis. When the car died, there were no warning lights on at all, however, previously, there had been lights for low oil occasionally, but not always, when the oil was low. Many times when I checked and the oil was low, there was no light that indicated that it was low.
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated while driving 32–33 MPH, the rear of the vehicle was shaking, and the vehicle stalled. There was smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. The engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the system needed to be reset. There was an unknown fault with the air bag. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact stated that while her husband was driving 55 MPH, the vehicle began to shake, and the driver was able to pull over. There was an abnormal odor of smoke detected. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the same local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the coil needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred nine days later. While exiting the garage, the vehicle stalled. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was 20,000.
My car is experiencing the same issue as the recall on the engines for sonatas and Elantra in my year. My vehicle experienced a stall while in a drive thru the oil light illuminated and ever since then I have a ticking sound in the engine.
The contact owned a 2012 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, there was a smoke odor present inside the vehicle. The contact decelerated the vehicle and stalled on the side of the road. The vehicle caught on fire in the engine. The contact and the front passenger sustained minor injuries to their knee while exiting the vehicle but did not seek medical attention. The fire was extinguished by the Fire Department. A fire report was filed. A police report was not filed. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was destroyed. Â The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light illuminated after the failure. The contact restarted the vehicle and drove to the dealer; however, the vehicle stalled twice while in transit to the dealer. The dealer replaced the engine cylinder, catalytic converter, and various other engine parts. Months after the repair, the contact stated that the failure returned, and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The contact was informed that the compression in the engine was low and that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a claim was filed; however, the claim was later denied. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 138,400.
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that while her granddaughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal knocking sound with the check engine and oil warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle stalled and her granddaughter was able to pull the vehicle off to the shoulder of the roadway. Due to the failure, the vehicle was initially towed to the contact's home. The contact called the dealer but was offered no assistance. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with engine failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle remained in the possession of the independent mechanic unrepaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Hyundai Accent stalling
Which Hyundai Accent years have engine stalls while driving problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2012 (8 complaints), 2015 (7 complaints) and 2017 (7 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix engine stalls while driving on the Hyundai Accent?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $500 (median of 5 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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