HyundaiAccent2021Overview/hyundai/accent/2021/base/

2021 Hyundai Accent

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Accent.

Transmission Automatic (AV-S1)

The 2021 Hyundai Accent is a subcompact sedan equipped with an Automatic (AV-S1) transmission, delivering EPA-estimated fuel economy of 33 mpg city, 41 mpg highway, and 36 mpg combined, making it a notably efficient option in its segment. Reliability data for this model year shows 16 owner complaints with seat belts representing the most frequently reported issue, alongside four total recalls issued for the vehicle. When placed within the model's broader complaint history spanning 1991 to 2022, the 2021 Accent sits far closer to the 1993 low of just one complaint than to the 1995 peak of 167 complaints, suggesting a substantial improvement in owner satisfaction over time. This positions the 2021 model among the more dependable iterations in the Accent's lineage, though the presence of recalls indicates some lingering manufacturing considerations that prospective buyers should monitor.

Model year202220212020201920182017201620152014

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque80.0-94.0 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy33/41/36 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI Only use AGM VRLA Battery. 47 · 60 O.E. AmpHrs. CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI Only use AGM VRLA Battery. 47 · 60 O.E. AmpHrs. CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnLAMPOEM · verified
Tire size205/45R17/XL 88VOEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Battery37110F9620

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AV-S1)

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined33 / 41 / 36 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume90 cu ft
Cargo volume14 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Accent of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.5–9.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.50 sec — 2018 SE Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2019Limited Sedan 1.6L I-49.60 sec17.20 sec130 hpFWD
2018SE Sedan 1.6L I-47.50 sec16.00 sec130 hpFWD
2018Limited Sedan 1.6L I-48.90 sec16.80 sec130 hpFWD
2018Limited Sedan 1.6L I-49.30 sec17.00 sec130 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80.0-94.0 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to Use new gasket: 25.0-33.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidKia IVTF SP-CVT1
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity6.8 qt
Brake FluidDOT 4
Clutch FluidDOT 4
Engine CoolantEthylene Glycol
Engine Coolant Capacity5.6 qt
Manual Transmission FluidGL-4
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity1.7 qt

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts14.0-17.0 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts26.0-29.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugUse new gasket: 25.0-33.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts80.0-94.0 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug43.0-58.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)630 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)630 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)630 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)680 rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.0-1.11 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46YF
Oil Capacity3.38-4.06 oz
Standard BCI Group NumberOnly use AGM VRLA Battery. 47
Standard BCI Cranking Performance60 O.E. AmpHrs. cca

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum47.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum53.0 psi
RPM47.0-53.0 @ Idle rpm
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum47.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum53.0 psi
RPM47.0-53.0 @ Idle rpm

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque16.0-23.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 58.0-; Rear: 47.0-
ABS Sensor Torque6.3
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.31; Rear: 0.28
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .787; Rear: .331
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.0002"
Maximum Rotor Runout.0016"
Maximum Drum Diameter8.161

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
149.0-52.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 98-102°49–52 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
149.0-52.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 98-102°49–52 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°, Step 3: 90°22 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 96,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 8,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect)
Every 16,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Filter (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect)
Every 24,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 30,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 32,000 miTransmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 48,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 48,000 miClutch Hydraulic System (drain & refill)
Every 96,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2021 Hyundai Accent sits near the end of the model’s low-complaint modern run, with 16 NHTSA complaints—matching 2022 and slightly above 2020’s 12, but far below the triple-digit volumes seen in the 2000s and early 2010s. However, its federal profile is not the cleanest of this generation: 2021 logged 4 recalls and 1 investigation, the same as 2020 and more than the 1 recall and 0 investigations recorded for 2018 and 2019; 2022 then improved to 2 recalls and 0 investigations. TSBs also trended downward from 82 in 2018 to 49 in 2021 and 36 in 2022, placing 2021 in the middle of a declining service-bulletin arc. Reported complaints centered on seat belts (6), wheels (4), and engine (3), with one fire complaint and no crash complaints, though the data does not specify root causes. Given very low owner complaint volume but a comparatively higher recall count for this generation, the 2021 Accent is a reasonable used buy provided all open recalls have been completed and documented.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
49
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
16
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 16 complaints on record, top 6 components.

Seat Belts6
Wheels4
Engine3
Electrical System,Service Brakes1
Electrical System,Engine1
Steering,Wheels1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V937000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master CylinderReported 02/12/2021

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021 Accent vehicles. The brake master cylinder may have been manufactured with sharp edges that can damage the inner oil seal, resulting in reduced braking… Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at…

22V069000Seat Belts:FrontReported 09/02/2022

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. Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 49 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
DTN DL2026-04-10Air BagsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of…
DTN DCS2026-04-10Air BagsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety…
P33 OL2025-12-19Electrical SystemIn response to this trend, we engineered a software upgrade that addresses the social…
25-01-089H TSB2025-12-15Electrical SystemThis bulletin provides the service procedure for installation of a key cylinder…
25-01-089H DN2025-12-15Electrical SystemIn addition to the Anti-Theft software provided under Service Campaign 993 (TSB…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Accent. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2021 Accent have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Accent get?

EPA figures are 33 city / 41 highway / 36 combined mpg.