HyundaiAccent2012Overview/hyundai/accent/2012/base/

2012 Hyundai Accent

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 Accent.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 6-spd

The 2012 Hyundai Accent is a compact passenger car built on Hyundai’s longstanding subcompact platform and powered by a modest‑displacement engine that requires 3.5 qt of 5W‑20 or 5W‑30 oil, paired with a six‑speed automatic transmission that delivers an EPA rating of 28 mpg city, 37 mpg highway and 31 mpg combined. Across the model’s 1991‑2022 lifespan, the 2012 iteration recorded 152 owner complaints, with the engine identified as the primary trouble area and two recalls issued for the year. Compared with the model’s peak complaint year of 1995 (167 complaints) and its low point in 1993 (a single complaint), the 2012 Accent occupies a middle ground in reliability, indicating a generally dependable but not flawless standing within the lineage.

Model year202220212020201920182017201620152012

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity3.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque65-80 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy28/37/31 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 121R · 500 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 121R · 500 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnLAMPOEM · verified
Tire sizeP175-70R14OEM · verified
Wheel / rimN/A inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 6-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length162.2 in
Overall width66.9 in
Overall height57.1 in
Wheelbase101.2 in
Curb weight2575 lb
Track (front / rear)58.3 / 58.3 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)62/38

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined28 / 37 / 31 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.

7.8–10.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.80 sec — 2012 SE 5-door Hatchback
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2012SE 5-door Hatchback 1.6L I-47.80 sec16.30 sec138 hpFWD
2012SE 5-door Hatchback 1.6L I-48.00 sec16.40 sec138 hpFWD
2012SE 5-door Hatchback 1.6L I-49.20 sec16.90 sec138 hpFWD
2012GLS Sedan 1.6L I-49.60 sec17.40 sec138 hpFWD
2012SE 5-door Hatchback 1.6L I-49.90 sec17.40 sec138 hpFWD
2012GLS Sedan 1.6L I-410.30 sec17.90 sec138 hpFWD
2014SE 5-door Hatchback 1.6L I-49.00 sec16.80 sec138 hpFWD
2016Sport 5-door Hatchback 1.6L I-48.60 sec16.90 sec137 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 3.5 qt of 5W-20 / 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 65-80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 28.5-32.5 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-20 · 5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity3.5 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts94-101 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts53-56 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts14-17 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22-26 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug28.5-32.5 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts65-80 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub147-202 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)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)100 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.64.86 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance5,900 ohms
Ignition Timing3 degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.16-1.27 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity3.04-3.75 oz
Standard BCI Group Number121R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance500 cca

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)62.3-68.1 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket16-23 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle58-72 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket16-23 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle36-43 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0002 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0016 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
113-16 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9013–16 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
114.5 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9014.5 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 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 7,500 miBattery (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Fuel Tank (add fluid conditioner) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Vacuum Line (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 37,500 miTransmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)
At 105,000 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 2012 Hyundai Accent marks the first model year of its fourth generation, and the federal data shows it as a clear outlier with 152 complaints—more than quadruple the 37 complaints for the 2011 model and notably higher than the 140 complaints in 2013. This spike is accompanied by 102 technical service bulletins (TSBs), the highest count in the entire dataset, and two recalls, while the surrounding years typically have one or two recalls. The top complaint areas for 2012 are engine (16), unknown/other (13), service brakes (12), and air bags (12), with 13 crash-related and 8 fire-related complaints, though the data does not specify root causes. As the generation progresses, complaints drop sharply to 80 in 2014 and 69 in 2015, suggesting that early production issues were addressed. Given the 2012 model’s elevated complaint and TSB volume relative to later years, it represents a riskier choice; a 2014 or newer Accent would likely offer a more refined ownership experience.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
102
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
152
Owner complaints
13 involved a crash · 8 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 152 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine16
Unknown Or Other13
Service Brakes, Hydraulic12
Air Bags12
Electrical System9
Vehicle Speed Control9
Tires6
Steering5

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V393000Equipment:ElectricalReported 02/07/2020

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Hyundai Elantra and Sonata Hybrid, 2012 Accent and Veloster vehicles. The 12V accessory socket outlet may have been over-tightened during installation… Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the Tire Mobility Kit accessory outlet plug with a direct-to-battery connection wire harness kit, free of charge. The recall…

23V651000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/ModuleReported 22/09/2023

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013… Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 102 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
Z01 Letter2026-05-22Electrical SystemCertain 2012 – 2017 model year Accent, 2012 – 2017 model year Azera, 2013 – 2018 model…
26-BE-011H DN2026-04-25Electrical SystemSome vehicles listed below may exhibit an intermittent airbag warning light and DTC(s)…
26-BE-011H TSB2026-04-25Electrical SystemSome vehicles listed below may exhibit an intermittent airbag warning light and DTC(s)…
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…

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

How much oil does the 2012 Accent take?

3.5 qt of 5W-20 OR 5W-30 API SM, per the factory manual.

Does the 2012 Accent have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Accent get?

EPA figures are 28 city / 37 highway / 31 combined mpg.