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 2009 Hyundai Elantra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light intermittently illuminated. Additionally, the passenger's side air bag light failed to illuminate while a passenger was seated in the passenger's side front seat. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and an independent mechanic, where the air bags software was reset; however, the failure recurred. The dealer confirmed that the air bags were Takata brand air bags. The independent mechanic determined that the air bag sensors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 146,000.
March 26, 2024 Hello; Re: 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring VIN# [redacted] On [redacted], I while driving on a very icy slippery road to do low temperatures and the city not salting the roads like they should have! I was going approximately 22 mph & somehow I lost control of my car & slammed into a light pole & the whole entire front end of my car was destroyed! Meanwhile, none of the airbags deployed & I slammed into the steering wheel! I had my seatbelt on & it immediately locked up on me & someone had to cut me out of the seatbelt! I was transported to the hospital emergency, while my car was towed to "E. End Auto" @ 64 10th Ave. Dickinson, ND I suffered severe injuries such as back & neck injuries, 4 bruised ribs & horribly severe bruises to my left eye & scars! …
On June 20th, 2022 my daughter was pulling into a parking space in the King of Prussia mall in Pennsylvania. Just before she turned the ignition off, both the driver's and passenger's side airbags deployed. THERE WAS NO COLLISION INVOLVED. Attached photos were taken immediately after to prove this. The vehicle was inspected by an independent inspector hired by Hyundai approximately 3 weeks later. According to Hyundai, there was front frame damage (this may have been from a February 2018 collision). Hyundai is covering up a serious potential safety issue by taking this position. Why frame damage from a 2018 collision be a material factor to this mishap? If this uncommanded airbag deployment happened while my daughter was driving at speed, she could have been in a serious accident. This vehicle is untouched and it is available for inspection. …
Just bought this used 2009 Hydunai Elantra. Dealer asking for 1400 to replace Airbag module. Car was never in an accident. Is there any compensation for this or can it be reset Also brought car over to Lester Glenn Toms River nj for recall on antilock brakes. They didn't have part which means tying up car again. Why don't they have recall parts readily available. Can u make an suggestion can't afford that air bag module
Air bag light is on as soon as car power on until it turns off passenger airbag is off I dont know if my airbags will deploy if I get in an accident . While driving steady speed of 50-60 mph while pressing gas sometimes it doesn't increase speed but instead jerks until I let go of the gas and then depress it again it happenes maybe 2-3 times during a drive .
While driving smoothly, suddenly the dash airbag warning light came on and has stayed on now for some time. That apparently signals that airbag will not deploy in an accident and is a clear safety issue. This should be a recall issue. RG
My car is having the same problem that the 2009 Elantra Sedan is having. My air bag warning light recently came on while I was driving and does not go off. I am concerned that my air bags will not go off in an accident.
In January 2017 I was involved in a accident. I hit another car in the rear at 65 MPH. The air bag failed to deploy I have been trying to get information from hyundia for over two years and they will not give any information they finally looked at my vehicle and said that the air bag failed to deploy because it was not designed to deploy in that type of accident .I assume there is a manufacture design problem. I was traveling on the freeway and a young girl crossed four lanes of traffic right in front of me and I hit her dielectric in the rear at 65 MPH. Hyundia would provide me any documentation to confirm there assessment I am a texas licensed insurance appraiser and have a lot of experience with accident reconstruction. I believe this is a serious manufacture design problem and should be investigated. I have saved the car for inspection if needed. …
My daughter was driving this car...."while driving the above car at 50-55 MPH, I saw cars slamming on their brakes, I hit my brakes to avoid the cars, I hit a construction cement wall and then hit a car in front of me." major front end damage, hood buckled, bumper detactched, battery exploded with impact. The car make was unidentifiable due to front end damage. Steering wheel air bag nor side bags and curtain did not deploy. Car was written as totalled as the estimated repair bill amounted to over $15,000 damage.
Tl* the contact owned a 2009 Hyundai Elantra. While driving approximately 10 MPH and making a right turn, the power steering seized without warning. As a result, the vehicle crashed into a medium concrete divider. The frontal air bags did not deploy. No injuries were sustained. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to an impound yard. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000. Updated 6/8/15 updated 10/06/2017
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 elantra vehicles manufactured from July 14, 2006, through November 1, 2008. The front passenger seats in the vehicles contain a weight sensor designed to deactivate the right frontal airbag when occupants of certain weights occupy the seat.
Remedy: Dealers will install a protective cover over the weight classification system connector to prevent contamination. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expecting to begin during April 2011.
Airbag complaints in other Elantra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2009 Hyundai Elantra?
NHTSA has 42 complaints about the air bags of the 2009 Hyundai Elantra, 17% of the model year's 254 complaints. The component named most often is side/window (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Hyundai Elantra airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 11V-143 (sensor/control module-inactive, Mar 15, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2009 Hyundai Elantra airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 13 crashes, 0 fires and 16 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.