2003 Hyundai Accent.

The 2003 Hyundai Accent is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 23 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 46, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about airbags, it has 0 recalls, and it gets 26 to 28 mpg combined. The best Hyundai Accent year is 2014.

46Lemon Index · 100 = average car

One of the most reliable. 2.2× fewer complaints than average.

Best year 2014 · Worst year 2002

Photo shows a 2019 Hyundai Accent. Elise240SX, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · background removed

Before you buy. What matters most for this car.

Most common problemAirbags43% of owner complaints Recalls0None on record Better year to buy20147.1× fewer complaints than average Repair notes from Hyundai46Ask a seller if they were done

Owner complaints23first 3 years

Fuel economy26–28 mpgcombined, EPA

Front crash★★★★☆NHTSA, driver

How serious. Out of 37 owner complaints, owners reported:

12crashes

8injuries

1fires

0tows

46 repair notes from Hyundai

Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.

Every Hyundai Accent year. 2003 is highlighted. Lower is better.

2002106about average 2003462.2× fewer complaints 2004–few complaints 2005–few complaints 2006–few complaints 2007621.6× fewer complaints 2008482.1× fewer complaints 2009–few complaints 2010412.4× fewer complaints 2011234.3× fewer complaints 2012601.7× fewer complaints 2013531.9× fewer complaints 2014147.1× fewer complaints 2015313.2× fewer complaints 2016531.9× fewer complaints 2017402.5× fewer complaints 2018185.6× fewer complaints 2019224.5× fewer complaints

What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.

airbags43%

transmission & drivetrain13%

electrical9%

brakes9%

engine9%

Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.

Transmission problems in every Hyundai Accent year →

When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.

half by 35K

0K50K100K150K200K

Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 16K to 61K miles on the car (21 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.

Recalls 0

No safety recalls on record.

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.

Check a VIN for open recalls

Problems Hyundai told dealers about

Hyundai sent dealers 46 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:

The engine control module (ecm) main power relay type located under the main dash has been…

Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.

Safety

Stability controlStandard

Collision warningNot offered

Lane departure warningNot offered

Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆

NHTSA front crash test of the 2003 Hyundai Accent — Front crash test · NHTSA

Fuel cost and engines

About $2300–2450 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.5L 4-cyl, 1.6L 4-cyl.

In owners' words

The vehicle was involved in an accident in which it was hit from behind and slammed into another vehicle head on. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. Please provide any additional information.
2003 Hyundai Accent owner · NHTSA complaint 10064818

More owner reports

While driving, stopping at a stop sign, and when pulling out another vehicle speeding hit consumer's vehicle. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy. Consumer sustained injuries.
NHTSA complaint 10101739

Transmission slips in low gears with low acceleration. At highway speeds does not continue into high gear and engine runs at high rpm. No parts repaired dealer says nothing is wrong.
NHTSA complaint 10090870

Quick answers

Is the 2003 Hyundai Accent reliable?

Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 2.2× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 46; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Hyundai Accent year by this measure is 2014.

What are the most common 2003 Hyundai Accent problems?

In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (43%), transmission & drivetrain (13%) and electrical (9%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.

How many recalls does the 2003 Hyundai Accent have?

None: NHTSA has no safety recalls on record for it.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Hyundai Accent get?

26 to 28 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).

At what mileage do 2003 Hyundai Accent problems start?

Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 16,400 and 61,900 miles. The middle report was at 35,000 miles, from 21 complaints.

Does the 2003 Hyundai Accent have transmission problems?

Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 13% of its owner complaints.

How much does the 2003 Hyundai Accent cost in fuel a year?

About $2300 to $2450 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.

What engines does the 2003 Hyundai Accent have?

1.5L 4-cyl, 1.6L 4-cyl.

What Hyundai Accent year is better than the 2003?

By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2014, 2018 and 2019.

Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works