2001 Hyundai Accent recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Body / structure
What's wrong, in plain English: Body panels, frame, doors, hood, trunk or latches. CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." DURING TESTING, THE 3-DOOR HATCHBACK EXCEEDED THE PERFORMANCE CRITERION IN THE STANDARD MIDWAY ALONG THE LENGTH OF THE WINDSHIELD SUPPORT PILLAR (A-PILLAR).
What could happen: AN OCCUPANT'S HEAD THAT CONTACTS THE A-PILLAR DURING A CRASH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INCREASED RISK OF A HEAD INJURY AS A RESULT OF THIS CONDITION.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW ENERGY MANAGEMENT BRACKETS TO SUPPORT THE A-PILLAR COVERS AND INCREASE THE ENERGY ABSORBING PERFORMANCE OF THE A-PILLAR IN THE RELEVANT AREA. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 28, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2001 ACCENT.
- Book a repair at any authorized Hyundai dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 02V167000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-633-5151.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
Summary: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." DURING TESTING, THE 3-DOOR HATCHBACK EXCEEDED THE PERFORMANCE CRITERION IN THE STANDARD MIDWAY ALONG THE LENGTH OF THE WINDSHIELD SUPPORT PILLAR (A-PILLAR).
Consequence: AN OCCUPANT'S HEAD THAT CONTACTS THE A-PILLAR DURING A CRASH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INCREASED RISK OF A HEAD INJURY AS A RESULT OF THIS CONDITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW ENERGY MANAGEMENT BRACKETS TO SUPPORT THE A-PILLAR COVERS AND INCREASE THE ENERGY ABSORBING PERFORMANCE OF THE A-PILLAR IN THE RELEVANT AREA. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 28, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
Notes: CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
2. Vehicle Speed Control
What's wrong, in plain English: A vehicle part that may fail. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.5 LITER OR 1.6 LITER ENGINES THAT WERE ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALASKA, COLORADO, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NORTH DAKOTA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. WHILE DRIVING AT A STEADY TH…
What could happen: MOISTURE IN THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER BLOWBY GASES MAY FREEZE INSIDE THE THROTTLE BODY BORE AND THROTTLE BODY IDLE SPEED CONTROL CIRCUIT RESULTING IN THE THROTTLE VALVE NOT CLOSING FULLY AND A HIGHER THAN NORMAL IDLE SPEED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW, RELOCATED PCV HOSE AND WILL ADDITIONALLY INSTALL A HEATED THROTTLE BODY ON THE 2000-2001 ACCENTS EQUIPPED WITH 1.5 LITER ENGINES THAT WERE PRODUCED THROUGH JANUARY 31, 2001. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2001 ACCENT.
- Book a repair at any authorized Hyundai dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 01V346000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-633-5151.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.5 LITER OR 1.6 LITER ENGINES THAT WERE ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALASKA, COLORADO, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NORTH DAKOTA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. WHILE DRIVING AT A STEADY THROTTLE OPENING FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME DURING EXTREMELY COLD AMBIENT TEMPERATURES (BELOW APPROXIMATELY -5 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT WITH HIGH HUMIDITY), MOISTURE IN THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER BLOWBY GASES CAN FREEZE AND BLOCK THE POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION (PCV) VALVE AND HOSE. IF THE PCV HOSE FREEZES, COMBUSTION CHAMBER GASES ARE FORCED THROUGH THE BREATHER HOSE INTO THE AIR INTAKE HOSE AND THEN INTO THE THROTTLE BODY.
Consequence: MOISTURE IN THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER BLOWBY GASES MAY FREEZE INSIDE THE THROTTLE BODY BORE AND THROTTLE BODY IDLE SPEED CONTROL CIRCUIT RESULTING IN THE THROTTLE VALVE NOT CLOSING FULLY AND A HIGHER THAN NORMAL IDLE SPEED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW, RELOCATED PCV HOSE AND WILL ADDITIONALLY INSTALL A HEATED THROTTLE BODY ON THE 2000-2001 ACCENTS EQUIPPED WITH 1.5 LITER ENGINES THAT WERE PRODUCED THROUGH JANUARY 31, 2001. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
Notes: ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 2001 Hyundai Accent owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Transmission / drivetrain (24), Airbags (21), Suspension (17), Engine (13), Vehicle Speed Control (13).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
08/01/2021 · Suspension
Repair shop did not perform alignment requested on 2001 Hyundai Accent. One reason was: "Cradle is rusted through" Similar recalls exist for Hyundai Elantra (similar design) and Sonata (engine cradle) for same model year. This represents a dangerous condition. Vehicle is operated in Wisconsin, where roads are salted in winter.
06/12/2020 · Suspension
MY MECHANIC TOLD ME IN APRIL 2020 MY 2001 HYUNDAI ACCENT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE SUB FRAME HAS DECAYED UP TO WERE IT CONNECTS TO THE BODY UNDERNEATH. *TR
05/15/2015 · Body / structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI ACCENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO NOTICED EXTENSIVE RUSTING ON THE BRAKE LINES AND WAS DETERIORATING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND IT WAS NOTICED THAT THERE WAS EXTE…
01/12/2015 · Suspension
BOTH CONTROL ARMS AND DRIVERS SIDE OF SUB FRAME COMPLETELY ROTTED OUT. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE 2001-2003 ELANTRA AND TIBERON, YET NOT THE ACCENT? SOMEBODY ISN'T DOING THEIR JOB!! *TR
12/27/2013 · Suspension
FRONT SUB FRAME IS SEVERELY CORRODED BETWEEN DRIVERS LOWER CONTROL ARM AND SUB FRAME MOUNT AT RADIATOR CORE SUPPORT. CORROSION HAS CREATED A HOLE ON EACH SIDE OF THE FRAME RAIL THAT WILL ALLOW FOR PASSAGE OF AN OBJECT SIMILAR IN SIZE TO A DECK OF CARDS. PASSENGER SIDE IS SIMILARLY CORRODED. FRONT SUB FRAME REPLACEMENT WILL BE NECESSARY IN ORDER MAINTAIN S…
11/20/2013 · Body / structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI ACCENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT FRAME HAD BECOME SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.
09/17/2013 · Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI ACCENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUB FRAME AND CONTROL ARMS WERE COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. ...UPDATED 11-12-13 *BF
08/19/2013 · Steering
FRONT CONTROL ARM CORRODED AND BROKE APART. UNABLE TO STEER. TOWED TO AND CONFIRMED BY MECHANIC. *TR