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 2006 Hyundai Azera owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Azera. The contact stated that on numerous occasions, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times. The contact was then referred by the dealer to a different dealer where it was diagnosed and produced code: B1489 and B1495. The contact then stated that the pod reset was performed, and the ECU was not responding however, the contact stated that she was not informed of which part needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V007000 (Air Bags, Seat Belts). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Azera. The contact stated that the air bag warning light had illuminated and remained illuminated on the instrument panel for a year. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed but no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 307,000. The contact stated the vehicle was taken to the dealer but informed there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. Also, the contact received a recall for the airbag but no longer has the recall notice.
The air bag light came on for the front passenger seat. I took it to Grayson Hyundai & they tried to get part #88840-3L500-J9 which is the latch right front buckle assembly. I was told there was no part available because my car is a 2006 & manufactures are only required to carry parts for 10 years. I was also told if the air bags worried me to trade cars. I would think the seat belt buckle for a safety feature like the air bag would have to always be available. I have owned this car since 2006, it only has 26,600 miles on it. It has always been garage kept & literally looks like a new one EXCEPT I have NO air bags. Also, today I was told part #88840-3L500-J9 is on a National Parts List, whatever that means. Surely this has happened to someone else. I just decided to report it.
How many people have to be injured before Hyundai figures out their non-airbag deployment issues? 57 complaints on NHTSA for the 2006 Azera air bags, and I was just in a hard side t-bone collision just in front of the driver's door that broke my collar bone, and not one air bag deployed. I was proceeding through a 4 way intersection when my light turned green, and a car to my left was accelerating through the red light. I bought the car brand new, and completed all issued recalls. When my air bag light kept coming on three years ago, I was finally told it was the driver side seat belt tension sensor, which was not covered by a recall, only the passenger side had the recall, so I spent over $600 to have it fixed, and the error light went out. I opened a case with Hyundai to inform them I was in a side impact accident and no air bags deployed. …
Tl* the contact owned a 2006 Hyundai Azera. While driving 30 MPH, the vehicle struck a block of ice and the contact lost control of the vehicle. As a result, the vehicle skid across the intersection, crashed into a tree head on, and landed in a frozen retention pond. The seat belt was tithing across the contact's chest causing her to bleed. The contact required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent tow lot. The vehicle was destroyed. In addition, the air bags failed to deploy. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 71,400.
Airbag did not deplore until after the car fully stopped but the seat belt on the drivers side tighten continuously until I got a bleed injury inside my right breast the righting stopped only after I was abke to release it then afterwards the airbag deplored only in the drivers side no other airbags came out during this accident.
Car was traveling at approx. 18 MPH. I applied brakes to make a left turn. When I pressed on the brakes, the car accelerated, and the brakes began stiff and would not stop the car. The car ran into a closed overhead double garage door, continued thru the garage and hit the brick wall on the back of the garage. The airbags did not deploy. I sustained lacerations and bruises. The car was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. Hyundai had the car inspected by an independent third party, and no problems were noted. Hyundai has not shared the results of the investigation with us. We have since used our own third party to test the car and the ABS and ESC warning lights remain on indicating there is a problem with both systems.
Tl* the contact owned a 2006 Hyundai Azera. While driving at 45 MPH, an SUV pulling a trailer attempted to make a u-turn on a one way road. Another vehicle crashed into the trailer and caused the contact's vehicle to be struck by the trailer. The contact stated that the air bags deployed for the driver, but they failed to deploy on the passenger side. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the right hand from the thumb to the index finger and emergency surgery was performed. One of the occupants of the other vehicle perished as a result of the crash. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
The air bag light in the instrument cluster lighted and from time to time was off but has been lighted since approximately 145,700 miles, about two years 3 months. In dealer and independent mechanics tests the code indicated that the seat belt sensor is malfunctioning and that the side impact air bag located in the right front seat back May be inoperative. This indicator light is currently lighted. Hyundai provided an examination of the front right airbag located in the right dash. It was indicated to be functional. In queries to Hyundai I have been told that the front airbag was repaired according to the recall requirement. Is the recall correction only valid for one correction?
Over past approximately 4 1/2 years, the airbag light has been on 7 or 8 times. Mileage ~136K, 151K 183K,191K & 203.6K. The seat belt pre tensioners and complete seat belts replaced 4-6 times and the airbag control module once. The driver's seatbelt pretensioner was successfully repaired ~August 8, 2016. A company agent inspected the functioning of the passenger air bag [ocs] August 26, 2013. Today 2-2-2017 the seatbelt light came on. My mechanic determined the code was b1382 side curtain airbag -high resistance. I have complete records of the maintenance and repair of this vehicle which I can supply upon request.
Airbag complaints in other Azera years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2006 Hyundai Azera?
NHTSA has 57 complaints about the air bags of the 2006 Hyundai Azera, 30% of the model year's 188 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Hyundai Azera airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2006 Hyundai Azera, though it has 5 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 2006 Hyundai Azera airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 52,000 miles, and 32% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 0 fires and 6 injuries and 1 death 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.