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 2008 Hyundai Accent owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Heading west bound on I 10 in alabama. Car was going between 60-70mph. Avoided the accident by sliding into another lane, breaks did not catch. Upon fish tailing back into traffic hit another vehicle head on and airbags did not deploy on impact until car was no longer in motion. The front driver airbag and the passenger front airbag did not deploy. Was standing on the breaks trying to get the car to stop and the car never stopped. It took the median cables to stop the vehicle. When the car had come to a stop is when the side curtain and seat airbag on passenger side deployed. Damage was sustained heavily to driver side front as well and still no side airbags, seat, or frontal airbags deployed. E-break did not even catch.
I was driving down a busier street in town at about 35-40 miles an hour, with family in the car, when a lady in an SUV pulled out in front of me. The front of my vehicle crushed into her driver's tire area. My car was totaled and none of the airbags deployed. Thank goodness everyone had their seatbelts on, and everyone walked away from the accident.
About 3 months ago the seat belt light came on and has been on ever since. We took our car to our Hyundai dealer and they said that we needed a new airbag installed and it would could around $1000 for the part. They ordered it and we have to scedule an appointment to put it on. We are on a fixed income and $1000 or more is a whole lot of money that we don't have. We were wondering if there is or could possibly be a recall for this airbag problem. Looking on line at the complaints concerning this airbag problem with the 2008 Hyundai Accent we were wondering why you have not resolved this complaint with a recall. Thanks for you time.
At approximately 67,000. Mi the airbag light came on, had an auto parts store scan the code and said it was passenger seat sensor, at the time I used the car for commuting to work and never had passengers. Now retired and cannot have a passenger for fear that being involved in an accident could be deadly for the occupant of that seat, went to the dealer and was told its not covered under warranty, ( I'm second owner ) and the seat alone would cost at least $900. Plus installation would be about $1200. Or more on a fixed income and cannot afford that, cannot sell the car it lowers the resale, and who would want it. Guess I'm stuck
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Accent. The vehicle was travelling at approximately 40 MPH when the front of the vehicle crashed into the corner of another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy and there was no prior warning of potential air bag failure. There were 2 people injured. A police report was filed. The vehicle had to be towed from the scene of the accident. The current and failure mileages were approximately 21,000.
Red airbag light on the dashboard is on. I had the Hyundai dealership diagnose the problem, they told me that the air bag sensor pad in the front passenger seat went bad. They said the seat base would have to be replaced and that it would be $822.82 for parts + 1.5 hours labor for a total of: $985.00. It seems very odd that the passenger seat airbag sensor would go bad in my car because I hardly ever have a passenger.
Tl contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Accent. While stopped at a light, another vehicle crashed into the rear of the contact's vehicle causing him to crash into the vehicle positioned in front also waiting for the light. The contact sustained lower back injuries. The contact stated the air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was destroyed. The approximate failure mileage was 23,000.
At end of May 2016, my airbag light went on and stayed on. I took my 2008 Accent to the dealer on 6/2/16 and was told that the ocs mat May need to be replaced at a cost of $1400 to $1600. If I do not replace it, the airbags will not deploy in an accident because the airbag sensor system is disabled. This 2008 Accent should be recalled because this is a serious safety issue.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that the air bag light remained illuminated in the vehicle. The vehicle was diagnosed. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 94,000. Updated 04/14/16 the passenger lower seat assembly and ocs mat were replaced on March 7, 2016. Updated 05/17/16.
I got into a collision in las vegas, nevada. I was driving my 2008 Hyundai Accent, I got hit head on and none of the airbags deployed. I was turning and going approximately 5 MPH the person who hit me was going 35 to 40 MPH. The speed limit on that particular street is 45 MPH. My car is a total loss and luckily no one got hurt.
Airbag complaints in other Accent years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2008 Hyundai Accent?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 Hyundai Accent, 34% of the model year's 101 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Hyundai Accent airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2008 Hyundai Accent, though it has 1 recall 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 2008 Hyundai Accent airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 59,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 0 fires and 5 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.