This bulletin provides important checkpoint guidelines when performing engine oil and filter change services.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2019 Hyundai Accent engine problems
severe 17 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
17
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 17 engine complaints filed for the 2019 Hyundai Accent, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Follow the guidelines outlined in this bulletin to inspect and clean or replace certain components of the engine intake system accordingly during engine short block or sub-assembly replacement.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides the service procedure for engine connecting rod bearing clearance testing. Perform the procedure outlined in this bulletin to fulfill the Bearing Clearance Test inspection requirements to determine next required steps.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides the inspection procedure and repair guidelines for certain vehicles listed below.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Hyundai Motor America is conducting a Service Campaign to update the ECM software on certain 2019 Model Year Accent vehicles. Service Campaign T3S provides a procedure to update the ECM software.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report catastrophic engine failures typically starting between 50,000 and 100,000 miles. The most common thread is rapid, unexplained oil consumption—owners adding oil weekly or monthly despite low annual mileage and regular service. Dealerships frequently refuse to address this under warranty, claiming consumption is normal, even after oil-consumption tests confirm otherwise.
When failure occurs, it's often sudden: loss of power while highway driving, loud knocking, or complete engine seizure. Diagnostic findings show zero compression in cylinder #3, piston and cylinder-wall damage, and internal wear. One vehicle caught fire and exploded.
A separate issue: recurring check engine lights due to EVAP leaks that dealerships cannot locate or repair, even after 12 months of monthly visits.
Owners faced warranty denials because mileage exceeded the 60,000-mile powertrain-warranty limit for used vehicles, leaving them responsible for $6,000–$8,000 engine replacements. One independent mechanic reported he has four other Kias and Hyundais with identical cylinder #3 failures, suggesting a pattern beyond isolated defects.
Same Hyundai Accent engine reports on nearby years: 2016 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Engine seizure / complete engine failure
Complete engine breakdown requiring long-block replacement. Narratives describe sudden loss of power, engine seizing mid-drive, and diagnostic findings of zero compression, piston/cylinder-wall damage, and valve/head involvement. One vehicle caught fire and exploded.
When: 65,000–100,000 miles; one case at 89,000 miles with metallic glitter in oil documented two days after purchase (9/23/24)
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of power or stalling on highway; Vehicle unable to accelerate; Loud knocking noise from engine; Shuddering or rough running; Engine fire and explosion (one case)
Codes mentioned: 0 PSI compression in Cylinder #3, 100% leak-down in Cylinder #3, Piston and cylinder-wall damage, Valve/head involvement, Connecting rod failure
Repairs/costs cited: Long-block engine replacement required; cost estimates $6,000–$8,000. One vehicle became total loss due to fire.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hyundai denied goodwill coverage in at least one case; warranty denials cited when mileage exceeded powertrain warranty limits (60,000 miles for used vehicles).
Excessive oil consumption / burning
Rapid oil depletion unrelated to normal consumption. Owners report needing frequent top-ups between oil changes despite low annual mileage. Dealership diagnostics sometimes confirm the issue; manufacturers and dealers frequently refuse warranty coverage, claiming consumption is within normal specification.
When: 50,000–66,000 miles; some cases detected at low mileage shortly after purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Oil level drops rapidly between services; Oil warning light blinking or illuminating; Excessive oil consumption despite low annual mileage (10k miles/year or less); Clicking or knocking noises from engine; Metallic glitter visible in engine oil
Codes mentioned: P0400 or similar evaporative emission system faults (mentioned in one narrative), Misfire codes (P0300 range)
Repairs/costs cited: Oil consumption test and engine cleaning performed in some cases; permanent engine damage noted in at least one case due to oil deprivation. Owners report repair costs as high as vehicle value.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hyundai warranty denials for oil consumption; dealers claim consumption is within normal specification despite owner disputes. No TSBs or recall programs cited for this issue.
Cylinder #3 failure / low compression
Localized catastrophic failure of cylinder #3 with loss of compression and power delivery. Occurs during highway driving, creating sudden acceleration loss. One mechanic report notes he has four other Kias/Hyundais with identical cylinder #3 failures.
When: 54,000–66,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of power while merging or accelerating; Improper gear shifting; Check engine light; Difficulty with steering and braking after loss of power; Clicking or pinging noises
Codes mentioned: 0 PSI compression in Cylinder #3, 100% leak-down test failure in Cylinder #3, Misfire codes (presumed)
Repairs/costs cited: Complete engine replacement required; estimated $6,000. One case involved oil spill onto highway from catastrophic leak.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls, TSBs, or goodwill coverage mentioned for cylinder #3 failures in narratives.
Ignition coil and spark plug failure
Failure of ignition coils and spark plugs, causing loss of power and check engine illumination during driving.
When: Approximately 54,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power and vehicle shuddering while driving; Check engine warning light illumination; Vehicle fails to restart after stalling
Codes mentioned: Ignition coil fault, Spark plug fault
Repairs/costs cited: Ignition coils and spark plugs replacement required; specific costs not cited. Vehicle was not repaired per narrative.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was made aware but no warranty coverage or TSBs mentioned in narrative.
Evaporative emission system leak (EVAP)
Check engine light caused by undiagnosed EVAP leak. One dealership identified a large EVAP leak but was unable to locate or repair it across multiple visits over a year. Issue eventually coincided with engine seizure.
When: December 2020–December 2021; leak identified September 2021
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light recurring despite multiple dealership visits; EVAP system malfunction indicated
Codes mentioned: EVAP system codes (specific codes not cited)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership unable to locate or repair leak despite monthly appointments over 12 months.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls or TSBs mentioned for EVAP issue; dealership blamed loose gas cap and scheduling delays.
Synthesized from 17 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 10 most recent
Driver: My [XXX] daughter (I was not in the vehicle), I am the owner. Mileage at incident: Approximately 89,000 miles (see Tire Discounters record, page 13). 2019 Hyundai Docs What happened: While driving on the highway, the vehicle suddenly lost power and stalled, requiring my daughter to pull over to the shoulder for safety. After the stall, the vehicle could not accelerate or operate…
This car overconsumes oil rapidly. I have always taken it for oil changes when due. I put hardly any miles on my car (10k or less annually) and every time I take it for an oil change they say it is extremely low. The oil light never comes on to alert me that it is low. About a week or two ago it started making a clicking noise and it was due for an oil change so I took it for one and the…
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the oil warning light frequently blinked on the instrument panel. The contact called an independent mechanic who inspected the vehicle. The mechanic discovered that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where an oil consumption test was…
was driving on the highway to a friends house, while i was driving a another vehicle was telling me to pull over and that there was smoke and fire underneath the car, i pulled over and crossed the bridge where there was light, once i got across i got out of the car and saw fire coming from the hood, i tried to put it out and that didn't work, so the good Samaritan who told me to pull over told…
Right after an oil change the oil light came on and the engine started making noises. Took it to a mechanic and they said the car lost pressure in cylinder 3 and he had 4 other kias and Hyundais with the same exact problem in the same exact cylinder. $6000 to fix...
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who stated that the vehicle was in the normal specification and declined to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was…
My connecting rod blew out of my engine I have a Hyundai Accent 2019, I have 65000 miles in the vehicle and have done some research as well and have seen that Hyundai vehicles for at least almost 10 years have had similar problems with their engines at around the same mileage. Maybe it’s possible that it was the same problem with my vehicle.
I am writing to you as the owner of a 2019 Hyundai Accent, which has recently experienced severe engine issues including low compression in three cylinders, sludge build-up, and eventual engine failure. It has come to my attention that these issues are not isolated incidents but are rather indicative of a systemic problem with Hyundai Accent models of this year. As you are undoubtedly aware,…
I am writing to bring to your attention a critical safety concern regarding the 2019 Hyundai Accent, specifically regarding the persistent issue of oil burning in the engine. This problem has affected my vehicle, as well as numerous other owners of the same model year. Despite being well within the warranty period, when I brought my 2019 Hyundai Accent with approximately 50,000 miles to the…
The 2019 Accent runs amazingly well, oil changes on point and no light have gone on since purchase date. 2 weeks ago on a thursday, it started knocking and took to have checked and was told to take to Hyundai of Inland Empire/tow it/do not drive. Mr. Bushey at Hyudai verifed I need a new motor/engine and it will cost from 6k-8k . I now have a case number and the dealer is communicating…
Had engine trouble with your 2019 Hyundai Accent?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2019 Hyundai Accent?
It's a meaningful issue. 17 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 17 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 86,494 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2019/Hyundai/Accent.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.