Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Hyundai Accent owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My family was driving our 2001 Hyundai Accent in which another vehicle collided with ours except the dash board air bags didn't inflate. Afterwards within two weeks I stopped at the nearest dealership and asked who should I inquire why the air bags didn't work. The vehicle was totaled and I did send an email to the address the dealership provided but have heard nothing. My wife and daughter got banged up but are okay now. My concern is that it could of been much serious and why I haven't heard anything from Hyundai. The accident occurred on October 20, 2009 in el centro, california. Thank you.
While driving at 55 MPH consumer slammed on the brakes and rear-ended the car stopped in the middle of the expressway. Both driver and passenger front airbags did not deploy. Vehicle's front-end sustained damage. Already being serviced at a Hyundai dealership and aware of the problem. Will receive a diagnostic of the airbag system after vehicle has been repaired.
Consumer was traveling about 55mph on highway and noticed that steering wheel started shaking. Consumer lost control of vehicle, and it started to roll twice or more into an enbankment. Vehicle was turned upside down. Consumer was able to crawl outside of vehicle. Upon impact, airbags did deploy. Vehicle was totaled. Dealership was aware of problem.
While driving the consumer's vehicle was hit by another vehicle on the rear driver's side. Upon impact the front air bags failed to deploy. Driver sustained minor injuries. The vehicle spun around about three times when it was impacted. The consumer sustained injuries to her ribs, back and neck.
While traveling about 40mph on highway another vehicle made a sudden stop in front of consumers vehicle, and a rear end collision occurred, upon impact, drivers side air bag did not deploy. Dealership was aware of problem. Also the engine caught on fire.
My client was seriously injured when the car her husband was driving struck a telephone pole head-on and the airbags failed to deploy. The airbag system had not given any warning that it was not working at any time before the crash.
Consumer's vehicle was involved in a frontal collision with another vehicle, and neither front driver's or passenger's airbags deployed. Consumer was driving 40mph and collided into back of another vehicle.
While driving consumer was involved in a 25-35 MPH frontal collision in which driver side and passenger side air bags did not deploy, cause has not been determine. Please give any further details.
While driving about 35 MPH the consumer slammed on the brakes and slid at 20 MPH when the vehicle collided with another vehicle. The driver and passenger frontal air bags did not deploy.
2001 Hyundai Accent. Consumer states airbags deployed without being involved in an accident destroying the windshield and seizing the seat belts the consumer stated after two months of phone calls, Hyundai finally responded and claimed the system detected an impact and no assistance would be provided and the matter was closed.
Airbag complaints in other Accent years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2001 Hyundai Accent?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the air bags of the 2001 Hyundai Accent, 19% of the model year's 112 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (17 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Hyundai Accent airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2001 Hyundai Accent, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2001 Hyundai Accent airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 56,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 19 crashes, 1 fire and 12 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.