About this problem
Air bag complaints cover several different faults: bags that did not deploy in a crash, bags that went off without a crash, warning lights that stay on, and inflators that were recalled because they could rupture. The common thread is that the system is a safety device you cannot test yourself. A lit air bag light means the system has found a fault and may not work in a crash, so it should be checked promptly.
Across all owner complaints filed about the Hyundai Elantra since 2012, 468 (9%) describe air bag problems, the second most reported problem we track on the Elantra. The reports cluster on the 2012, 2013 and 2017 model years, and the 2013 drew the most, with 181. It tends to show up in the middle years of ownership: half of the owners who gave a mileage were between 33,000 and 96,000 miles. 190 reports describe a crash or fire linked to it. 6 recalls are related to it, and recall repairs are free at any dealer.
What owners report
Elantra air bag complaints include air bags not deploying in a crash and warning lights that stay on. The 2012 and 2013 models were recalled for a passenger air bag sensor problem that could turn off the passenger air bag.
How it gets fixed
Recall repairs to the seat sensor and air bag system are free at Hyundai dealers.
Typical cost: Recall repairs are free. Fixing a warning light out of warranty usually costs $150 to $600.
Complaints by model year
In owners' words
"On april 14th 2017 my wife was involved in a car accident where she hydroplaned off of an onramp at 60-65mph as she was getting on the highway and rolled her 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The side impact and side curtain airbags never deployed."
2013 Hyundai Elantra, 69,800 miles
"" takata recall" - I got in my car, started it up and the only light that would not go off like it should when you start up the car was the "airbag" light. So I turned off the car, and figured maybe its a fluke and started my car up again and it stayed on."
2012 Hyundai Elantra, 94,000 miles
"O whom it may concern, my son was in an accident this past tuesday 4/3/18 where he reared end another vehicle.. The air bag light came on but the air bags never deployed. It was enough damage to total the car.. Aprox 9-12 thousand dollars in damage.."
2017 Hyundai Elantra, 44,000 miles
Excerpts from public owner complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, lightly trimmed.
Related recalls
Hyundai Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Elantra vehicles manufactured from November 12, 2010, through March 5, 2013.
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Elantra Touring vehicles manufactured December 15, 2009, through May 7, 2012.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Elantra and 2016 Elantra GT vehicles.
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2017 Hyundai Elantra vehicles manufactured April 15, 2016, to September 13, 2016, and Sonata vehicles manufactured May 27, 2016 to September 16, 2016.
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Sonata vehicles manufactured May 29, 2014 to February 11, 2016, 2017 Elantra vehicles manufactured January 12, 2016 to February 22, 2016, and one 2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicle manufactured October 15, 2015.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Elantra N and 2022-2023 Elantra vehicles.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. Check a specific car by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Service bulletins
Hyundai has sent dealers 4 bulletins that mention this problem on the Elantra. A bulletin tells technicians how to fix a known fault. It is not a recall, so the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty or covered by an extension.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driverside airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co.,...
The 2015 - 2016 Sonata (lf), 2016 Sonata hybrid (lf hev), and 2017 Elantra (ad) features a two stage (primary and secondary) frontal driver airbag.
Hyundai motor america is launching recall 144 for a total of 33 vehicles.
Government investigations
Preliminary evaluation PE12012 · 2012 · opened May 2012, closed Sep 2012
Recall query RQ13004 · 2012 · opened Dec 2013, closed Jun 2014
Before you buy a Elantra
- Check by VIN for open air bag recalls.
- Make sure the air bag light comes on at start and then goes off.
- Check that the passenger air bag status light works with an adult in the seat.
Questions
Which Hyundai Elantra years have air bag problems?
Complaints are highest for the 2012, 2013, 2017 model years. The 2013 drew the most, with 181 reports.
At what mileage does it usually start?
Among owners who gave a mileage, the middle figure was about 66,000 miles, and half reported it between 33,000 and 96,000 miles.
How much does it cost to fix?
Recall repairs are free. Fixing a warning light out of warranty usually costs $150 to $600.