Airbag complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 33% | — |
| 2025 | 3 | 14% | 3,000 miles |
| 2024 | 1 | 2% | 5,000 miles |
| 2023 | 6 | 6% | 44,000 miles |
| 2022 | 4 | 4% | 60,000 miles |
| 2021 | 2 | 2% | — |
| 2020 | 5 | 2% | 7,000 miles |
| 2019 | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2018 | 12 | 4% | 46,000 miles |
| 2017 | 32 | 4% | 27,000 miles |
| 2016 | 26 | 9% | 32,000 miles |
| 2015 | 23 | 9% | 29,000 miles |
| 2014 | 32 | 8% | 42,000 miles |
| 2013 | 170 | 13% | 70,000 miles |
| 2012 | 124 | 19% | 89,000 miles |
| 2011 | 77 | 18% | 99,000 miles |
| 2010 | 46 | 12% | 65,000 miles |
| 2009 | 42 | 17% | 85,000 miles |
| 2008 | 38 | 12% | 56,000 miles |
| 2007 | 46 | 17% | 70,000 miles |
| 2006 | 56 | 36% | 68,000 miles |
| 2005 | 71 | 52% | 36,000 miles |
| 2004 | 114 | 63% | 17,000 miles |
| 2003 | 48 | 21% | 46,000 miles |
| 2002 | 70 | 20% | 71,000 miles |
| 2001 | 118 | 37% | 62,000 miles |
| 2000 | 39 | 20% | 51,000 miles |
| 1999 | 20 | 16% | 99,000 miles |
| 1998 | 7 | 13% | — |
| 1997 | 21 | 18% | 141,000 miles |
| 1996 | 14 | 14% | — |
| 1995 | 35 | 31% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while stopped at a red light with the precise pressure on the brake pedal, the RPM became elevated, the brake pedal was released, and as a result, the vehicle increased in speed and crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The contact's entire front side impacted the rear of another vehicle. No property damage was reported. The contact stated the vehicle came to a complete stop upon impact and shut off. The contact stated the air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that no warning illuminated before and after the incident. A Police report was filed. The contact sustained an injured knee, neck, and back and has experienced emotional distress. Medical attention was not received. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. …
Dear NHTSA, I am writing to formally report a safety concern regarding my vehicle involved in a car accident on December 19, 2025. Details of the incident: Vehicle Make/Model/Year:Elantra SEL Sport 2025 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN): [redacted] Date of Accident: December 19, 2025 Location of Accident: Dec 16,2025. Silver Spring, MD the Takoma Park. City of Takoma Park Police 7500 Maple ave Takoma 20912 Nature of Accident: Rear-end collision; the back of my vehicle was pushed in. Airbags: Did not deploy during the collision. Injuries Sustained: Significant back injury requiring medical attention. Despite the collision, the vehicle's airbags failed to deploy, which I believe is a safety defect. I am concerned that this poses a serious risk to myself and other passengers. I am requesting that NHTSA: Investigate the potential airbag defect in my vehicle. …
The contact owned a 2023 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at night and at approximately 60 MPH, a deer had crashed into the driver's side front door and bounced off and crashed into the driver's side front bumper. The contact stated that he had been thrown forward by the force of the crash, but then he was thrown back when the seat belts restrained him. The contact hit his headrest with force. The contact was unable to stop immediately, and when he had stopped, he observed that the front bumper was hanging from the frame of the vehicle and that he was leaking radiator fluid. The contact stated that the police and emergency services had arrived. The contact stated that he was transported to the emergency room. The contact stated that the police had written a report and had the vehicle towed to an impound lot. …
The contact owned a 2023 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, another vehicle failed to stop at a stop sign; as a result, the contact's vehicle was struck by the driver's side door, sending the vehicle careening 50 feet before coming to a complete stop. Only the steering wheel air bag was deployed. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss by the contact's insurance provider. A police report was filed, with injuries reported. The contact was transported to an area hospital by EMS and treated for a concussion and non-descript injuries to her shoulders and back. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 31,000.
The contact's wife owned a 2022 Hyundai Electra. The contact stated that while driving at 68 mph and the accelerator pedal was depressed the vehicle collided with a deer. The contact stated that the air bags deployed upon impact. The vehicle was towed to a salvage lot. A police report was filed. The contact's wife sustained neck, left shoulder, and chest injuries that required medical attention. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
My car was hit from the rear by another vehicle while I was traveling with my [redacted] daughter. The impact was very strong, and one of the tires came off. None of the airbags deployed, and I feel there may have been an issue with the airbag system.
On [redacted] at about 1:40 p.m. I was driving to work, and got distracted and had a front-end collision with a tree that was about 1-3 feet next to the side of the road. Extensive damage to the vehicle, and personal injuries occurred (mild concussion, stress fracture of left forearm, bruising/abrasion on ride side torso, sprained left thumb, and abrasions on head). Both the driver and passenger airbags did not deploy which contributed to me almost flying through the windshield. The emergency responders and tow truck operator were very surprised I wasn't in critical condition or dead and noted that the airbags failing was a serious issue and I was lucky. This was reported to the manufacturer and geico insurance on December 20th, and I am currently awaiting to hear back from both to get the inspections scheduled. …
I no longer have this vehicle, as I traded it in once I was able to lower some of my negative equity. During owning the 2020 Hyundai Elantra, a deer it the side of my vehicle and knocked me into the center of the road while I was driving. No airbags had come out, nor was any sensor activated. About 6-8 months later, I was driving down the same road and a deer had run across the road. The forward collision sensor did not alert me (I was paying attention to the road, but would have absolutely heard it), and my airbags did not deploy. My car suffered over $9,000 in damage and I had a concussion.
Related recalls (14)
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Elantra and 2016 Elantra GT vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may rupture during deployment.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the air bag inflator, as necessary, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 3, 2026.
Air bags › Sensor › Side impact
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025 Elantra N, 2026 Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), and Elantra vehicles. The B-pillar impact sensors may have been misassembled, which can delay air bag deployment.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the impact sensor(s), as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 11, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai's customer service at 855-371-9460.
Air bags › Frontal
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Elantra N and 2022-2023 Elantra vehicles. The emblem on the cover of the driver's front air bag may not have been welded properly, which can result in the emblem detaching upon deployment.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 14, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 234.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2017 Hyundai Elantra vehicles manufactured April 15, 2016, to September 13, 2016, and Sonata vehicles manufactured May 27, 2016 to September 16, 2016.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.
Air bags › Frontal
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Sonata vehicles manufactured May 29, 2014 to February 11, 2016, 2017 Elantra vehicles manufactured January 12, 2016 to February 22, 2016, and one 2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicle manufactured October 15, 2015.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on May 5,2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.
Show 9 more 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.
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 elantra vehicles manufactured from July 14, 2006, through August 29, 2007. The driver's seat track position sensor determines the seat's fore and aft position and allows the driver's frontal air bag to deploy at the pressure appropriate for that seating position, with a lower…
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the air bag control module free of charge. The safety recall is expecting to begin during April 2011. Owners May contact Hyundai's customer assistance center at 1-800-633-5151.
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
Hyundai is recalling certain my 2001 elantra vehicles. If a liquid is spilled in the area of the cupholder on the center console, it May seep through the console opening for the parking brake lever and then drip onto the air bag control module electrical connector.
Remedy: Dealers will install a protective cover over the vehicle's air bag control module connector. The recall owner notification began on November 30, 2008, and letters will be sent out in six mailings.
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
Hyundai is recalling certain my 2001-2002 elantra vehicles. Movement of the side impact air bag wiring harness mounted under each front seat, possibly caused by contact from materials placed under the seat, May result in an electrical resistance that would cause supplemental restraint system (SRS) warning light illumination.
Remedy: Dealers will install new side impact air bag wiring harness connector clips and revised side impact air bag wiring harness attachments under the driver's and front passenger's seats.
Air bags
Certain vehicles equipped with an advanced air bag system. The occupant classification system (ocs) installed in the right front seat of the vehicle May misclassify a child restraint seat (crs) as an adult. This May occur if the crs is installed after an adult has been seated in the right front seat.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the vehicle's ocs electronic control unit (ECU) to remove the feature that May cause the crs to be recognized as an adult. The recall began on November 15, 2005.
Air bags
Certain vehicles equipped with an advanced air bag system. The occupant classification system (ocs) installed in the right front seat of the vehicle May misclassify a child restraint seat (crs) as an adult. This May occur if the crs is installed after an adult has been seated in the right front seat.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the vehicle's ocs electronic control unit (ECU) to remove the feature that May cause the crs to be recognized as an adult. The recall began on October 31, 2005.
Air bags
On certain vehicles, if the front passenger seat is unoccupied or is occupied by someone lighter than 56.4 pounds, the passenger air bag is deactivated and will not deploy if a crash occurs.
Remedy: The occupant classification sensor will be reprogrammed.
Air bags › Side/window
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The supplemental restraint system side air bag satellite sensors installed were improperly manufactured, causing the air bag warning light to illuminate and the side air bags to not deploy as intended in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the two satellite sensors.
Air bags › Frontal
The driver's side air bag was improperly assembled and could cause the air bag warning light to illuminate from increased electrical resistance.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the air bag assembly wiring harness connector to determine if it contains a terminal holder. If it does not, one will be installed.
NHTSA investigations
Air bag light illumination
In certain model year (my) 2001 and 2002 vehicles, the air bag system is susceptible to air bag light illumination and air bag non-deployment or inadvertent deployment from liquid contamination of the air bag control module.the control module is located beneath and near center console cup holders.odi is also aware of complaints regarding air bag light illumination due to loss of proper air bag electrical integrity…
Air bag light illumination
Hyundai is conducting two safety recalls to correct two safety defects described below.under safety recall 08v-532, Hyundai will install a vinyl protective shield/cover to prevent short circuits in the air bag control module cause by spills of liquids that seep into the module connector.
Headliner Bracket Detachment
In March 2013, Hyundai issued a safety recall to reinforce the attachment of the metal support brackets to the headliner assembly in approximately 186,254 model year 2011-2013 Hyundai Elantra vehicles built in Korea and sold in the U.S.
Side Curtain Air Bag Improper Deployment
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is aware of one incident of an improper deployment of the driver-side curtain air bag that deployed as a result of a crash involving a model year (MY) 2012 Hyundai Elantra.An inspection of this vehicle showed that a metal bracket (stiffener) in the headliner assembly had detached and was forced downward by the deploying air bag.The metal bracket caused a laceration to the…
Frequently asked questions
Which Hyundai Elantra years have airbag problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2013 (170), 2012 (124), 2001 (118), 2004 (114) and 2011 (77) model years. Airbag complaints make up 13% of all complaints for the 2013.
Is there a recall for Hyundai Elantra airbag problems?
Yes — 14 recalls, including 26V-307 (inflator module, May 14, 2026); 26V-254 (side impact, Apr 20, 2026); 22V-632 (frontal, Aug 18, 2022). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Hyundai Elantra airbag problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 61,000 miles; 40% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the frontal (223 mentions), followed by the frontal › sensor/control module (86).
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.