Hyundai Motor America Accent Consumer Reviews

I own a HYUNDAI Accent from 1998 and have only 65,000 miles. I also, and always, drive "gently". I don't drive fast, I don't accelerate strong, I don't go above 70 miles per hour because I want to have fuel economy. HYUNDAI cars generally may be cheap to buy, seems to have enough good technical specifications and they're good looking. But I believe it's not worth because:

1) it has poor construction quality, 2) it appears often mechanical and electrical malfunctions, 3) the fuel consumption usually is bigger than this described by its book, 4) it has expensive genuine parts so a very EXPENSIVE SERVICE in the long term, 5) it burns lots of oils inside its engine (so, I have to carry always Oil with me!!!). The cost to fix it is very big. 6) When I drive I hear sounds and “cracks” from the main body and the plastics of the car (what a quality!!!). 7) Often, when I catch the door from the outside metal surface, there is static electricity that shocks me (it's very unpleasant).

In the long term, I EXPERIENCED ALL THESE PROBLEMS. My opinion is absolutely NEGATIVE for HYUNDAI generally. When I will have to replace my car, I will not buy a HYUNDAI again (not only Accent, I mean any HYUNDAI). That's for sure! Don't make the same mistake I made. It's wasted money. The money that you earn by working hard.

If HYUNDAI had quality, it would have it in 1998 and today (as a principle). Often, the quality is better when someone has an older model, because every car industry by the pressure of lower cost, reduce the quality year by year. On the other hand, when a car factory is new in the game (as HYUNDAI was in 1998) makes better products in quality, because the Industry is not known (famous) and want to have customers. As the years passing, they reduce the quality because they gain fans. Fans have no brain. They want tell you the truth: They are fans. So, do not take HYUNDAI.

ALABAMA -- In 2002 I bought a new Accent Coupe for my grandson. At about 20,000 miles he was broadsided on the driver side door by an SUV which ran a stop light. The impact was sufficient to total the car, but not a scratch on grandson. That is a tough little car. The car was replaced with a 2006 Accent coupe, largely because he was not injured in the wreck. Hyundai does things to make owning one fun, The service manual is available online. They do not void your warranty if you "Upgrade" components such as exhaust, roll bars, air boxes, etc. In fact they seem to encourage such.

I am 75 years old and have been around the horn with car dealers and car warranties. I find that if you use your dealer for your service requirements, he can and in most cases will invoke the warranty when it is appropriate. It seems to me that the dealer has considerable influence over warranty coverage. Of course, some dealers are rip off artists and are not interested in taking your case to the wall with the manufacturer. My experience with the smallest Hyundai has been such that I will strongly consider one as my next car. The Genesis really looks good.

ARIZONA -- I purchased a 2002 Accent. A principle reason was because the touting of the 100,000 mi/10 year warranty. The salesman never said anything about the 60,000 service. Now at 63,000 mi my timing belt broke. After contacting the dealer I have discovered that without the service visit they won't cover anything... and so I paid to have it towed to Aamco. They replaced the belt for 284.00 but the engine is dead so for about 4000.00 they will rebuild my engine! The car isn't worth that much. So until I figure out what to do I am driving my daughters '96 Toyota (at 158,000mi). So... Watch that warranty!

SMALLWOOD, NEW YORK -- Dealer's service department has my 2002 accent for nearly five weeks. They can't do anything with the check engine light that is always on. After speaking with customer service many times, they basically told me tough **! I have 128,000 miles on the car, and have always serviced the car when called for! As far as I am concerned they (Hyundai) do not stand by their product. Hopefully I will receive another invitation to purchase one of their products, this time I will tell them where they can drive it!