Head-to-head reliability
Hyundai Accent vs Toyota Camry
How the Hyundai Accent and Toyota Camry compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Hyundai Accent vs Toyota Camry: The Accent averages 55.1 complaints per year, with engine issues dominating, while the Camry averages 214.3, with powertrain problems leading. The Accent has 16 recalls, the Camry 31. Airbag non-deployment and brake failures are critical in the Accent; transmission and sudden acceleration affect the Camry. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Hyundai Accent or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Hyundai Accent
The Hyundai Accent, as a subcompact, shows a reliability pattern dominated by engine troubles, with owners reporting overheating and check-engine lights that persist despite dealership visits. Airbag non-deployment in crashes and sudden brake failures are also notable, alongside electrical shutdowns while driving. These issues suggest that while the Accent may be economical, it carries risks that could affect safety and dependability.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry, a midsize sedan, has a higher raw complaint count but also a larger sales base. Its issues center on powertrain problems, including transmission grinding and replacement needs, as well as engine concerns like sudden acceleration and coolant valve recalls. Brake failures and electrical glitches also appear, but the pattern is more varied and less dominated by a single catastrophic failure mode.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Hyundai Accent | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 551 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 16 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 57 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 55.1 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 70 Better | 163 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Hyundai Accent
- 01ENGINE165
- 02AIR BAGS110
- 03SERVICE BRAKES98
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM81
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER72
Owners report severe overheating on highways and persistent check-engine lights that dealerships fail to fix, sometimes leading to engine failure around 65,000 miles. This suggests potential cooling system or internal engine defects that could leave you stranded or require costly repairs.
There are reports of airbags not deploying in crashes, which is a critical safety concern. Additionally, the seat belt warning system is described as overly complicated, potentially confusing drivers and reducing seat belt usage.
Brake failure without warning is reported, leading to crashes and even a fire. Power brake assist issues are also mentioned, making it difficult to slow down, which is especially dangerous in traffic.
The car can completely shut off while driving without warning lights, which is terrifying and could cause loss of power steering and brakes. This electrical gremlin appears intermittently, making it hard to diagnose.
“I am reporting a severe and hazardous failure involving my 2019 Hyundai Accent. On August 8, 2025, between 9:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., while driving on Mopac (Loop 1), a heavily traveled highway in Austin, Texas, the vehicle abruptly experienced an overheating…”
“My 2019 Hyundai Accent engine failed at 65,004 miles. I've taken my car to a local Hyundai dealership from December 2020 up until it failing in December 2021, I've had an appointment at least once a month for my check engine light being on. They scheduled me…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Transmission issues are prominent, with grinding noises on acceleration and dealers recommending full transmission replacement. This is a major expense and indicates a potential design or manufacturing flaw.
Sudden unintended acceleration is reported, leading to crashes, and there are engine maintenance warnings related to a coolant valve bypass recall that may not cover all VINs. This could cause overheating or engine damage.
Brake pedal goes to the floor with no response, especially on hills, requiring emergency maneuvers. This suggests possible master cylinder or brake line issues that compromise stopping ability.
While not as frequent, electrical problems include issues with sensors and modules that can trigger warning lights and affect vehicle systems, adding to the complexity of repairs.
“I turned into a restaurant’s parking lot, found a spot and slowly drove into the lot, I eased off the gas pedal and gently applying the brake as the lot has a slight downward slope. When I reach the chunk (the parking block), I added more force to the brake,…”
“Grinding noise coming from front end upon acceleration. Brought to dealership who confirmed noises coming from transmission. Transmission needs to be replaced per dealer recommendation. Recalls on 2021 Toyota Camry for same issue. Transmissions on backorder a…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Hyundai Accent — 16 recalls
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Accent vehicles. A bolt in the steering column may not be secured properly, which can cause the steering column to detach from the steering rack and result in a loss of steering control.
The risk: Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten the lower steering column u-joint retention bolt, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 5, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's…
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Accent, 2021-2022 Elantra, and 2021-2022 Elantra HEV vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioners may explode upon deployment.
The risk: An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, strike vehicle occupants, and result in injury.
The fix: Dealers will secure the seat belt pretensioner(s) with a cap, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 28, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 229. T…
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Accent vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioner(s) may explode upon deployment.
The risk: An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, striking vehicle occupants and resulting in injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 24, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 219. This recall…
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Accent vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioner(s) may explode upon deployment.
The risk: An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, striking vehicle occupants and resulting in injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 24, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 219. This recall…
Toyota Camry — 31 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The lug nuts that attach the wheels to the vehicle may be loose, which can result in wheel detachment.
The risk: A wheel that detaches from a moving vehicle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and tighten the lug nuts, and replace any damaged components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
Buyer analysis
Hyundai Accent or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Hyundai Accent averages 55.1 complaints per year versus the Camry's 214.3, but the Accent's complaints are more concentrated on safety-critical systems like engine, airbags, and brakes. The Camry's higher volume reflects its popularity, but its issues are more varied and less likely to be catastrophic. In practice, the Accent may pose higher immediate safety risks, while the Camry's problems are more about long-term reliability and repair costs.
Key differences
- The Accent has a higher proportion of engine complaints (165 out of 551) compared to the Camry (315 out of 2143), indicating a more dominant engine failure pattern.
- Airbag non-deployment is a notable issue in the Accent, while the Camry's recalls focus on occupant classification sensors, which are less severe.
- Brake failures in the Accent are described as sudden and complete, whereas Camry brake issues are more about pedal feel and gradual loss of response.
- The Camry has a recall for wheels/lugs/nuts/bolts/studs, which is not present in the Accent, but the Accent has multiple recalls for steering column and seat belts.
- Check for any history of engine overheating or check-engine light repairs; ask for service records and verify if the engine was replaced or repaired.
- Inspect the airbag system by checking for any warning lights and ensuring all recalls are performed, especially those related to airbags and seat belts.
- Listen for grinding noises during acceleration and have the transmission inspected by a trusted mechanic; check if the transmission has been replaced or is on backorder.
- Verify that all recalls are completed, especially the coolant valve bypass recall, and ask about any history of sudden acceleration incidents.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models; ensure all recalls are performed before purchase.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by an independent mechanic focusing on the engine, brakes, and electrical system for the Accent, and transmission and brakes for the Camry.
- Test drive both vehicles on highways and hills to feel for any hesitation, shuddering, or brake pedal issues.
- Ask for maintenance records and verify that oil changes and transmission services were done on time.
- Check the NHTSA website for the latest complaints and recalls specific to the model year you are considering.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Hyundai Accent | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 16 | 59 |
| 2021 | 16 | 155 |
| 2020 | 12 | 270 |
| 2019 | 30 | 393 |
| 2018 | 19 | 736 |
| 2017 | 68 | 148 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Hyundai Accent or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Hyundai Accent vs Toyota Camry
- Hyundai Accent total complaints
- 551
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Hyundai Accent total recalls
- 16
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Hyundai Accent avg complaints/year
- 55.1
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Hyundai Accent
- Hyundai Accent top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN