2002 Hyundai Elantra Airbag Problems

Which parts fail

• Frontal
  22
• Side/window
  5
• Frontal › Sensor/control module
  5

Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  1325%
• 25k–50k
  510%
• 50k–75k
  1224%
• 75k–100k
  48%
• 100k–150k
  1427%
• 150k+
  36%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Hyundai Elantra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

Was traveling home at 6 pm and I was coming over a hill and a car stoped short I swerved to avoid collission and side swiped a telephone pole.the airbags went off and I was hit with a piece of sharpnal that went into my lip causing me to get stitches and has left my face disfigured.

I owned 1 2002 Hyundai Elantra, in which I was involved in a serious accident on the freeway. My car was only 5 months old when this accident occurred. This car was purchased because it had been equipped with 4 airbags, which included head protection. This accident occurred on February 19, 2003. I was hit by a semi truck, mainly on the drivers side, to which none of the 4 airbags deployed. Hyundai had been contacted, to which they claim there was no possible fault of the manufacturer. I am permanently disabled due to this accident, which left me with a brain injury as well as numerous permanent issues. We are working with senator timothy grindell in the state of ohio, to make "road rage" (which had been the reason for this accident), in trying to make road rage a punishable crime in the state of ohio. …

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the rear passenger's side tire blew, causing the vehicle to roll over and Land on the driver's side. None of the air bags deployed. Both the contact and a passenger were injured. The contact sustained injuries to the head, ribs and back. The passenger sustained injuries to the head. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic but was not inspected for the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and the current mileage was 153,000. Updated 03/07/13 the consumer stated the vehicle had tokyo tires installed in June 2012 with an alignment. The consumer crossed a rail road crossing. …

My daughter was driving our 2002 Hyundai Elantra when she hit someone from behind. All of the injuries from this accident were minor, but the rear seatbelt became a major concern. Our grandson, who is almost 2 years old, was in his carseat in the back seat on the passengers side. His seatbelt did not hold his seat. He and the carseat were thrown forward against the back of the front seat. He had some bruising on his knee and struggled to walk for a day or two and this seems to be the extent of his inbjuries. However, I am concerned about what would happen if this had been a more serious crash. I spoke with the local dealer, hunters Chevrolet, and they gave me some crap about sometimes they work and sometimes they don't. It all depended on the amount of enertia the car seat generated when it flew forward. This doesn't sound right or safe to me. …

On the evening of 6/27, my son was driving our 2002 Hyundai Elantra. There were three other passengers in the vehicle. A deer ran in front of the vehicle, and my son veered off to the right (in an attempt to avoid hitting the deer), ran off the shoulder of the road, and into a ditch. The vehicle did not roll over, but it came to rest on it's right side. The two front and two side airbags did not deploy. A fire ignited (almost immediately) in the engine compartment area of the vehicle. All passengers were wearing seat belts, and through the grace of god, all were able to escape the vehicle before it became thoroughly engulfed in flames.this is related to the fuel tank assembly recall 04V178000

Hi, my daughter has an 02 Hyundai Elantra gls. I brought the car in to our local torrington ct, dealer who performed "two recalls" but not the one needed because it isn't showing up as a recall. My VIN# is [redacted]and the recall I am looking to have done is number 088 which is listed everywhere from motor trend to automotive.com as the exact problem on my daughters vehicle for 2001 and 2002 elantras. They only have recall 080125 listed which was completed. This is a very serious problem because neither air bag will work.

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Hyundai Elantra. While driving approximately 15 MPH, the contact crashed into the rear of another vehicle, causing the vehicle that was following the contact to crash into the contact's vehicle. The front driver side air bag did not deploy but the passengers side air bag did. The police were called to the scene and a report was filed. The contact sought medical attention for injuries to her chest and shoulder blades. The doctor diagnosed her with a chest contusion. The vehicle was destroyed and was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

2002 Hyundai Elantra,4dr. No passenger, driver of Elantra crossed intersection & did not see car coming to right of him, Plymouth Mini-van hit side of Elantra traveling between 40 & 45 MPH, impacted Elantra at the passenger side rear of front door and front of rear door, direct side hit,Elantra rolled onto its top, passenger side airbag did not deploy on Elantra, also no other airbag deployed on Elantra, Plymouth Mini-van steering wheel & passenger front airbag both deployed.

Vehicle "surges" to very high RPM without warning. Has been to dealer x3 for repair/adjustment. Last time at dealership 04-10-03 the throttle sensor was replaced. )n 05-02-03 "surging" occurred again, causing crash. Also vehicle pulled violently to right after brakes were applied, car skidded prior to impact even with ABS brakes. No air bag deployment. Crash speed est. At 25-30 MPH.

I was rear-ended at high speed and struck the car to my front with significant impact. My car is a total loss. My front end is crumpled in half, bumper completely torn off as well. My airbag did not deploy. Officers at the scene and other credible sources suggest it should definitely deployed based on the damage. I suffered compressed neck vertebrae.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Airbag complaints in other Elantra years