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 1999 Hyundai Elantra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
12/2/2014 multi-car/semi accident. Front end collision with rear end damage. Total loss, air bags did not deploy. 465 s @ mm 41 near pendleton pike exit. At fault driver spun on ice, came into my lane that I was traveling south in so she was traveling north. Hit drivers side to drivers side, semi trailer ran over the passenger side of car. Total loss.
I have a 99 Hyundai Elantra 4 door. Last week the steering column caught on fire while it was being driven. More specifically, I was at the time in the hardee's drive thru when the smoke and flames started. I was able to get my car to roll out of the drive thru and into the parking lot. I have spoken to a few mechanics who say that it seems like it was a short in the electrical system in the steering wheel. It melted all of the steering column, dash, cracked the windshield with the heat, and other fire damage. The car is now totaled and undriveable. I am a single mother of 2 kids and this was my only means of transportation. Also about a year ago, I was in a head on collision that was not my fault, and the airbags did not deploy in the steering wheel. I had contacted Hyundai afterwards, but they said that the car was fine and not to worry. …
I was involved in a front end collision (I hit the back bumper of a pickup truck). Although no damage occurred to the truck, my car ended up with almost $5,000 worth of damage. Neither my air bags nor shoulder restraints worked. I ended up hitting my forehead on the front windshield causing some moderate to severe neck trauma. I reported the failure to Hyundai and seem to be getting no help. They insist that there is no problem. I still can sit in my car and move my chest forward against the shoulder restraints as fast as I can and never have the even slow me down. However, if I use my hand to move the straps forward, they lock up immediately as they should. I spoke again to Hyundai ([phone] file #[redacted]) and they insist that it is normal to move forward like my restraints do. All I know is that my shoulder restraints do notand did not move forward in any other car I have driven in. …
While driving 20 MPH had a frontal impact with another vehicle coming at 55 MPH, and driver's/passenger's airbags did not deploy, which did not protect the occupant in this accident. Consume r hired an appraiser who said that the airbags should hav e deployed, but the Hyundai claimed thart airbags should not have deployed. Please provide further information and VIN#.
While driving through a toll stop, proceeded to go through another car which pulled in front. Consumer had put on brakes to avoid hitting the other vehicle. However, consumer hit side railing at about 40, and airbags deployed. Consumer felt as though airbags were too forceful, consumer was unable to see out of right eye bucause of airbag deployment.
The "air bag" and "check engine" lights stays on all the time. Both driver and rear passenger windows will not work, both must be taped up. Car has had a "electrial burning" smell off and on for a year. The headlights goes bright while driving. Getting less than 20 mpg gas. Batteries frequently goes dead.
While traveling 35-40 MPH the consumers vehicle struck another vehicle in the rear. Upon impact neither air bag deployed and the shoulder belts failed to restrain the driver. The vehicle was totaled from the accident. The owners are aware of (4) similar cases of air bag deployment failure.
While driving at a speed of 30mph there was a collision, and the air bags did not deploy. Driver broke windshield with her forehead, and then hit the steering wheel with forehead. Driver was taken by ambulance to hospital with only minor concussion/bruises and cuts.
While driving 45 MPH had a direct frontal impact, and driver's airbag deployed partially and did not protect the driver. Passenger's airbag did not deploy, which did not protect the passenger in this crash. No previous problem with the airbag system.
Vehicle was going 60mph on express way when consumers vehicle rearended a stalled vehicle, drivers and passengers air bags did not deploy, passenger was injured, consumer was in the process of contacting manufacturer.
Airbag complaints in other Elantra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1999 Hyundai Elantra?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the air bags of the 1999 Hyundai Elantra, 16% of the model year's 128 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (16 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Hyundai Elantra airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 1999 Hyundai Elantra, 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 1999 Hyundai Elantra airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 99,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 18 crashes, 1 fire and 19 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.