3KPC24A32JE0232462018 HYUNDAI AccentSE and SEL
2018 HYUNDAI Accent was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. There is 1 open recall on record — verify these have been repaired before purchase. 19 owner complaints include 1 reported injury, indicating real-world safety incidents beyond normal wear.
Executive Summary
2018 HYUNDAI Accent
2018 HYUNDAI Accent was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. There is 1 open recall on record — verify these have been repaired before purchase. 19 owner complaints include 1 reported injury, indicating real-world safety incidents beyond normal wear.
- 1 open recall — verify these have been repaired before purchase
- 1 injury reported across 19 owner complaints
- Common owner-reported issues: fire, oil consumption, electrical problems
- Complaint rate is accelerating — issues appear to be getting worse, not better
- Manufacturer delayed recall by 3.2 years after first complaints — pattern of slow response to known defects
19 owner complaints filed — top areas: Engine/Powertrain (42%), Body/Structure (16%), Electrical (16%). Common issues: fire, oil consumption, electrical problems. 1 injury reported.
Title Brand Check
Mined from auction damage fields and listing titles — not a DMV title history pull
No auction records available. Title brand status could not be verified — request title history from seller or state DMV.
Vehicle Specifications
Decoded from NHTSA vPIC database
- Make
- HYUNDAI
- Model
- Accent
- Year
- 2018
- Trim / Series
- SE and SEL
- Body Style
- Sedan/Saloon
- Vehicle Type
- PASSENGER CAR
- Fuel Type
- Gasoline
- Engine
- 4-cyl 1.6L 130 hp
- Doors
- 4
- Manufacturer
- KIA MEXICO S.A. DE C.V.
- Assembly
- TIJUANA, MEXICO
- GVWR
- Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)
Assembly Plant Quality
Plant: TIJUANA, MEXICO
No specific quality data available for this plant. No documented recall or complaint concentrations on record.
Safety Intelligence
Composite analysis from NHTSA recall, complaint, and crash data
✓ No high-risk recall components found
- ▸4 complaint(s) involved a fire
The same components appear in both official NHTSA recalls and owner-filed complaints — a double-confirmed failure signal.
Driver Assistance Features
ADAS equipment data from NHTSA vPIC database
Fuel Economy & Environment
EPA fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov
Deferred Failure Risk
Vehicle-specific risks from this model-year's complaint record, known defects, and service milestones
Owners of the 2018 HYUNDAI Accent report engine/powertrain issues more than most other systems. Complaints concentrated in one area often signal a systemic weakness worth a targeted pre-purchase inspection.
Owners of the 2018 HYUNDAI Accent report body/structure issues more than most other systems. Complaints concentrated in one area often signal a systemic weakness worth a targeted pre-purchase inspection.
Owners of the 2018 HYUNDAI Accent report electrical issues more than most other systems. Complaints concentrated in one area often signal a systemic weakness worth a targeted pre-purchase inspection.
Worn chain tensioners cause timing chain skip or snap — common on GM 5.3L/6.2L, Ford EcoBoost, VW/Audi EA888, BMW N47/N63. Listen for cold-start rattles.
Water pump failure causes rapid overheating. If the engine overheats even once, head gasket damage is likely — turning a $400 part into a $3,000+ repair.
Degraded transmission fluid destroys clutch packs and solenoids. CVT transmissions are especially sensitive — neglected fluid can result in a $4,000–$8,000 replacement.
Degraded coolant loses corrosion inhibitors and attacks aluminum engine components. Can cause head gasket failure and water pump corrosion.
Worn spark plugs cause misfires that can foul and crack catalytic converters. A $150 tune-up can prevent a $1,200 catalytic converter replacement.
Dirty or failing injectors cause rough idle, reduced fuel economy, and increased emissions. Cleaning costs $100–$200; replacement $800–$1,600.
NHTSA Safety Recalls
1 RECALLNHTSA VIN-specific recall lookup returned no data for this VIN. The 1 recall below are model-wide and may or may not apply to this exact vehicle depending on production date. Verify at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Average repair completion across 1 recall is ~72%. Always ask the seller for dealer service records confirming each repair.
Statistical model based on recall age, component type, and manufacturer. Not a repair confirmation. Demand dealer service records.
HYUNDAI completes recalls at a good rate (88%), averaging about 19 months to remedy. Most affected vehicles are fixed.
Avg time to remedy open recall: ~19 months · Source: NHTSA Recall Completion Rate Reports
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH
SummaryHyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Sonata, 2016-2018 Sonata Hybrid, 2018-2020 Accent, and 2016-2017 Azera vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."Read full details...
~28% chance this recall was never fixed
Moderate RiskSource: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type
Recall Intelligence
Detailed analysis of recall history and severity
⚠ One or more recalls have been open for over 5 years — may never have been repaired on this vehicle.
Manufacturer Recall Response Time
Time between first owner complaint and recall issuance
First complaint was filed 3.2 years before the recall was issued — manufacturer was aware of this issue for years before acting.
Complaint Intelligence
19 complaints analyzed across 7 system categories
⚠ Complaint rate is accelerating — issue may be getting worse
32% of complaints filed in Feb & May — may indicate temperature-sensitive or weather-related failures.
Owner Complaints
HIGH VOLUME19 safety complaints filed with NHTSA
This car burns through gas at an unbelievable rate. I have read that this is a common problem and Hyundai needs to address the problem - and REPAIR it - for all affected owners. I have about 75,000 miles and the problem has been ongoing for over a year. I have to add oil every week and if I forget, it is all burned up within 2 weeks.
The break light came on. The local garage says I need a new master cylinder, and the dealer I purchesed the car from will not verify an extended warantee item or silent recall. This master cylinder part is all over the the internet as defective on multiple years.
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION = ENGINE FAILURE + NO WARRANTY HONORER
I have to check my oil every other day. For some reason my car is sucking up all the oil and I don’t believe I should be putting oil in it every other day.
Oil consumption is bad and I keep getting an oil change every month and a half
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.
El carro lo agarré en el dealer hace dos meses, regresé al día siguiente para que me arreglaran la alineación que me la dieron mala cada vez que conducía por el freeway el carro a alta velocidad se me jalaba hacia el lado izquierdo y es muy incómodo estar presionando con fuerza a la hora de manejar por largas horas por lo que estaba expuesta a tener un accidente aparte del check del motor apareció en mi tablero va y viene y no me dan respuesta de eso regresé al dealer y me dijeron que la alineación no iba ser 100 % posible ya que tenía malo los amortiguadores y que es necesario reemplazarlo y que debo pagarlo he regresado varias veces para que lo puedan arreglar ya que estaba malo desde que lo agarré en el dealer
RECIBI RECALL DE SEGURIDAD HYNDAI ACCENT 2018 INDICANDO QUE LA CERRADURA DEL BAUL NO FUNCIONE CORRECTAMENTE. This could cause the trunk to open on its own or not want to open when you need to open it. THE DEALER INDICATES THAT THE NOTIFICATION DOES NOT APPEAR IN THE SYSTEMS AND THAT THE TRUNK DOES NOT OPEN
The system that malfunctioned was the brake light(s) and/or electrical components which started a fire in the trunk of my car on 2 separate occasions. On one of the occasions, the top break light in my trunk apparently blew out without my knowledge, it wasn't until my two kids in the backseat started to smell smoke that I pulled over and tried to figure out where the smoke was coming from. When I opened my trunk, I noticed the top break light had burned through the encasement and the wiring was dangling in my trunk which caught a plastic bag on fire. On another occasion, it burned part of a brand-new rug before I caught it in time. I was told by two separate auto mechanics that for some reason the electrical current running through the wiring to the light bulbs is what caused it. When I brought it into Hyundai, they acted like it was no big deal. I recently got my oil changed at Valvoline this past week and they found another one of my brake lights had blown out (this time the right brake light), the auto mechanic at Valvoline told me that she has encountered a lot of blown-out lights in Hyundais versus other vehicle manufacturers and stated she believes it has something to do with the electrical components of the vehicle and an excess amount of electricity going through the electrical wiring to the light bulbs. My vehicle can be made available for inspection but it’s my fault for when I brought it in originally to Hyundai not to ask for the broken/melted pieces that they replaced. I do have the rug which was partially burned but do not have the plastic bag that was burned. Both my kids under 10 and myself were put at risk during these episodes. If I didn’t catch it in time on both occasions, my kids could've been severally injured by fire since they were closest to the trunk. It posed a distraction as well. The problem was confirmed by the Hyundai dealership in Winter Park, FL when I brought it in. There were no warnings, only noticed when we smelled smoke.
My 17 yr old son was driving his 2018 Hyundai Accent home from work, and was merging onto the freeway and when he realized the cars in front of him dead stopped he slammed his brakes but was unable to stop in time. Happens all the time right? It should just have a little front end damage, when the vehicle in front of him only had minor bumper damage. But, instead, within just moments, his vehicle burst into flames and he only had seconds to react. He grabbed his phone and wallet and had to exit through the passenger door because he was on the freeway and needed to get to safety. His car was completely engulfed in flames and burnt the entire car. He was very close to being either badly burned or killed, if he hadn’t acted as smart and quick as he did. What if this car was carrying a family with small children, or an elderly person who couldn’t move fast or react like my son did. It could have been a much, much worse situation. I just don’t want this to happen to anyone else. We, along with everyone else at the scene, including CHP and friends who are mechanics, believed this fire should not have happened, and we all feel like something must have been wrong with his vehicle for this fire to have happened. We just purchased this vehicle in Sept of 2021 from Mission Bay Chevrolet, we had only made 2 payments at the time of the accident. We have seen far worse accident and far worse front end damage on other vehicles and these car did not catch on fire. Cars aren’t supposed to catch on fire in an accident if this nature, this should not have happened, and we really want some answers as to why? Thank you for your time!
My 2018 Hyundai Accent caught fire in motion on the way to get gas on June 21, 2021. The car had no recalls and no electrical issues prior to the explosion. Fire department ruled the accident as electrical, I had the vehicle for 6 months. A loud explosion sound came from the hood, it started smoking and we pulled the car off the road, moments later it caught fire and created an explosion spreading from the hood to the back of the car. Because i dont have a car, I had temporarily close my small online business, this has been a nightmare.
My 2018 Hyundai Accent had to recalls when purchased with a auto loan January 2021, In June 2021 the vehicle caught fire and exploded in the motion. Vehicle had been serviced for brake rear drums, 2 diagnostics before June. Fire department ruled fire as electrical.
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated the trunk failed to close. The contact stated that he tied a cord on the trunk ledger and added a hook to keep it closed however, the trunk was still slightly opened. The contact stated that he contacted the dealer several times to schedule an appointment for diagnostic testing, but the dealer had not returned his calls. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V619000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 2,800.
TENGO UN AUTO HUYNDAI ACCENT 2018 CON APARENTE PROBLEMA DE ALINEAMIENTO. AL MANEJAR Y SOLTAR EL GUIA EL AUTO SE MUEVE HACIA EL LADO IZQUIERDO INMEDIATAMENTE. LO HE LLEVADO A ALINEAR A DOS TALLERES DIFERENTES Y HA PASADO LA PRUEBA PERO CONTINUA CON EL MISMO PROBLEMA. SE LE ROTARON LAS GOMAS Y TODAVA SIGUE CON EL MISMO PROBLEMA. QUIERO SABER CUAL SERIA EL PROBLEMA DEL VEHCULO PARA PODER ARREGLARLO.
I'VE HAD MY CAR FOR LESS THAN 2 YEARS AND THE BATTERY COMPLETELY DRAINED/DEAD. HYUNDAI REFUSES TO COVER IT UNDER THE 3 YEAR WARRANTY DUE TO MY CAR HAVING OVER 36K MILES. THE CAR WAS BRAND NEW WHEN I PURCHASED IT AND I'VE NEVER HAD A CAR BATTERY DIED SO FAST EVER IN MY LIFE. ALSO, SOMETIMES THE BACKUP CAMERA WON'T TURN OFF AND WILL STAY ON EVEN AFTER DRIVING FROND FOR MORE THAN 10 MINUTES. IT WILL ONLY TURN BACK OFF IF I TURN THE CAR COMPLETELY OFF AND THEN BACK ON AGAIN.
WHEN MY WIFE USES A SEAT PILLOW FOR BACK PAIN ON THE NEW CAR THE LIGHT THAT THE AIR BAG IS NOT ENABLED COMES ON. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND DID NOT HAPPEN WITH A PREVIOUS HYUNDAI. I WAS TOLD BY THE SELLER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT THIS IS NORMAL. IT IS REPEATEDLY HAPPENING WHEN THE PILLOW IS IN USE.
WATER GETTING INSIDE OF CAR DOORS DURING/AFTER LIGHT RAIN. CONSIDERABLE AMOUNTS OF WATER DRAIN OUT OF DOOR BOTTOM DRAIN HOLES WHEN CAR DOORS ARE FIRST OPENED AFTER RAIN STORM. SOME WATER APPARENTLY DOES NOT DRAIN UNTIL ALL 4 DOORS ARE OPENED. I HAVE WAITED AS MUCH AS 24 HOURS ON AN HOT DAY BEFORE OPENING CAR DOORS AND STILL HAVE WATER DRAINING OUT. CONCERNED ABOUT LONG TERM RUST OUT OF DOOR BOTTOMS.
ACCELERATOR PEDAL THAT IS TOO SENSITIVE. WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND I START TO ACCELERATE FROM STATIONARY, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAS AN INITIAL SURGE IN POWER THAT WAS NOT INTENDED BY USER INPUT. THIS COULD CAUSE THE CAR TO BE OUT OF THE USERS CONTROL MOMENTARILY AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF THE DRIVER DOES NOT ALLOW FOR THIS ISSUE. I HAVE RUN SOME DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS ON THIS VEHICLE AND CAN CONFIRM THE ENGINE IS NOT DOING WHAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL COMMANDED IT TO DO. I CAN SEE ABOUT 1% PEDAL INPUT BUT I SEE ABOUT 10% ON ENGINE THROTTLE RESPONSE. THIS ISSUE IS PERSISTENT. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS ALMOST LINEAR IF THEE ENGINE IS ON BUT NOT RUNNING
DEALER: COCONUT CREEK AUTO MALL 4960 NORTH STATE RD, COCONUT CREEK, FL 33073. I --PURCHASED A NEW 2018 HYUNDAI ACCENT ON MARCH 15TH, THE CAR'S MOTOR AFTER SEVERAL HOURS STARTED JERKING WHEN THE CAR CAME TO A STOP, THE REVOLUTION NEEDLED STARTED SPIKING. THE CAR STARTED TO SHAKE. - I RETURNED THE MARCH 15TH CAR (1ST CAR)BACK TO THE DEALER, THEY GAVE ME ANOTHER (2ND) NEW HYUNDAI ACCENT 2018. WE DROVE THE CAR HOME, AFTER SEVERAL HOUR THE SAME PROBLEM, THE 2ND CAR STARTED JERKING/SHAKING. WE WENT BACK TO THE DEALER ON 3/16/18, EXPLAINED THE ISSUE AND TOLD THE DEALER THAT HYUNDAI SHOULD CHECK INTO THIS MOTOR JERKING/SHAKING BECAUSE IT MAY BE A MECHANICAL OR DESIGN RELATED ISSUE WHICH CAN REPRESENT A SAFETY HAZARD FOR THOSE NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. IN SUMMARY; 2 CARS IN A PERIOD OF 3 DAYS WITH THE SAME SAFETY HAZARD MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. IF YOU GOOGLE THE WEB YOU WILL NOTICE THIS IS NOT A NEW PROBLEM PEOPLE ARE/HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH HYUNDAI CARS. GOOGLE AND YOU WILL READ FOR YOURSELF ## VIN PASSED ## HYUNDA ACCENT 2018 ##
Complaint & Reliability Timeline
Annual complaints (blue) vs. composite reliability score (amber) — recall years marked in red
The blue line shows 19 NHTSA complaints on file for the HYUNDAI Accent — a relatively low volume that spans from 2018 to 2026.
The amber reliability line averaged 98/100 across the vehicle's life — relatively stable, with the lowest point of 95/100 in 2025.
The red dashed line marks recall issuance — the first recall came 3 years after owners began filing complaints, a lag that indicates the manufacturer was slow to formally acknowledge these problems.
Manufacturer Extended Warranties & Special Coverage
1 known program match this vehicle — verify current eligibility with dealer using your VIN
Nu (2.0L) and Gamma (1.6L) GDI engines share similar connecting rod bearing failure modes as the Theta II engine. Hyundai and Kia extended warranty coverage following additional NHTSA investigations.
Coverage eligibility depends on your VIN, original sale date, and current mileage. Always verify with an authorized dealer or manufacturer customer service — programs may have been updated since this database was compiled.
Legal & Regulatory Actions
Known class action lawsuits, settlements, and manufacturer extended warranty programs
5-Year Ownership Cost Estimate
Based on EPA fuel data, standard depreciation, and US average insurance/maintenance costs
Estimates use EPA fuel economy data, AAA 2024 national averages for insurance and maintenance, and a standard depreciation curve. Actual costs vary by location, driving habits, and vehicle condition.
5-Year Total Cost of Ownership
Estimated based on EPA fuel data, risk-adjusted maintenance, and depreciation
Estimated 5-year cost of ownership: $37,639 (~$627/mo). Repair risk buffer is standard due to vehicle risk profile.
Negotiation Ammunition
Use these data-backed findings to negotiate the price down
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Tailored for the 2018 HYUNDAI Accent — specific failure modes your mechanic must check, not a generic list
Recall Probability Forecast
Estimated likelihood of a new recall in the next 18 months based on NHTSA signals
20% estimated recall probability — some indicators present but not alarming.
- ▸Accelerating complaint rate — increasing pressure on NHTSA to act
Maintenance Schedule
OEM-specified service intervals for this vehicle
Maintenance intervals vary significantly by make, model, year, engine, and driving conditions. Always follow the manufacturer's official schedule — not generic industry estimates.
Tip: Request the seller's service records and compare against the manufacturer schedule. Missing intervals are a negotiation point.
Auction History
Public sale records from Copart, IAAI, and auction aggregators
Searching Public Auction Records
Checking Copart, IAAI, BidFax, and other sources for 3KPC24A32JE023246. Results appear automatically when found.
Insurance Cost Estimate
Estimated annual premiums based on vehicle profile, theft data, and NHTSA safety ratings
Based on 2024 national avg ($2,011/yr full coverage). Individual rates vary by driver, location & insurer. Always compare 3+ quotes.
Market & Background Signals
Theft risk, fleet history, dealer patterns, and emissions compliance
HYUNDAI Accent has a Very High theft risk — 6.8× the national average. Insurance premiums are likely significantly above class average.
Manufacturer NHTSA Penalty History
Federal fines issued for recall delays and safety violations
HYUNDAI has been fined $131M+ by NHTSA. Most recently in 2022: Failure to promptly recall vehicles with engine fire risk.
State-Specific Legal Protections
What consumer laws apply to this vehicle purchase in your state
Select your state to see what consumer protection laws, lemon law coverage, and title disclosure requirements apply to this vehicle purchase.
Complete Data Table
All decoded fields in a single flattened view
Vehicle Identity
| VIN | 3KPC24A32JE023246 |
| Model Year | 2018 |
| Make | HYUNDAI |
| Model | Accent |
| Trim | SE and SEL |
| Vehicle Type | PASSENGER CAR |
Body & Configuration
| Body Style | Sedan/Saloon |
| Doors | 4 |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline |
Engine
| Engine Cylinders | 4 |
| Displacement (L) | 1.6 |
| Horsepower | 130 |
Manufacturer
| Manufacturer | KIA MEXICO S.A. DE C.V. |
| Assembly City | TIJUANA |
| Assembly Country | MEXICO |
VIN Structure
| WMI (Chars 1–3) | 3KP |
| Check Digit (Char 9) | 2 |
| Model Year Code (Char 10) | J |
| Plant Code (Char 11) | E |
| Sequence (Chars 12–17) | 023246 |
Safety Data
| NHTSA Recall Count | 1 |
| NHTSA Complaint Count | 19 |
VIN Structure Decode
ISO 3779 character-by-character breakdown of this Vehicle Identification Number
Disclaimer: Data sourced from NHTSA public APIs and scraped auction listings. For informational purposes only. Not a substitute for a paid vehicle history report. Retrieved: 8/2/2026, 6:36:12 PM.