1999 Hyundai Sonata Airbag Problems

Which parts fail

• Frontal
  8
• Side/window
  5
• Frontal › Sensor/control module
  3

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

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  18%
• 25k–50k
  323%
• 50k–75k
  431%
• 75k–100k
  18%
• 100k–150k
  323%
• 150k+
  18%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Hyundai Sonata owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

Consumer loss control and hit a solid barrier and none of the airbags deployed. Driver sustained a head injury. Prior to the accident the vehicle was taken to the dealer because the air bag light illuminated. The dealer removed and replaced the passenger seat air bag module. The dealer also performed recall 02V105000 related to the side impact air bag wiring harness routing. The rear defogger button flashed intermittently and the A/C and defogger were inoperative. The dealer replaced the control head. The outside rearview mirrors would not move right or left. Dealer found break in wiring in right kick panel. The check engine light illuminated. The dealer replaced the canister purge valve. * ph

Dt: consumer was involved in an accident while traveling on highway at 55 MPH. Another vehicle pulled out in front of consumer's vehicle and it struck the right side of other vehicle. Upon impact, the airbags did not deploy. Consumer has not had any work done to the airbags or any other problems with the airbags. The vehicle has been taken to dealer for recall repairs.

L was stopped on traffic on high way ,and some one, hit me on the back ,the guy was so fast problem more than 75 MPH ,than my car float 20 foot ,and hit the car on my front and my air bags did not deploy or open , so the question is Hyundai Sonata 1999 usually have this problem , ????

Purchased car August 16th 2001 shortly after purchase about 3 months later the check engine light came on so I took it back to the place of which I purchased it wyatt johnson Hyundai dealership in clarksville tn . At that time the o2 sensor had went bad so that was replaced and we were also advised that it was way past due on transmission fluid which was their fault so they replaced that as well. A few months went by and the same thing happened again. These were once replaced again on the opposite side of the car. Also about 4 to 5 months later the check engine light came back on and the car was sputtering and then would not start because the spark plugs wires were fried as if they had caught on fire so they too replaced that with all new ones. …

The car (1999 Sonata gls v6) had a front end alignment done by sears July 6, 2008 at kenosha wi. The failure occurred (July 14, 2008) when the car was being driven into the hospital parking garage (waukegan illinois). The car speed was 5 MPH when it made a grinding sound and jolted to a stop. Sparks from under the car were witnessed by security guard who it reported to the driver of car. The car would not start and had to be pushed out of road to prevent blocking traffic. Inspection of the vehicle showed the subframe broke from corrosion causing the engine to drop then breaking the axle shaft. The car would not start and had to towed back to home by aaa. Currently have complaint at Hyundai dealer where car was purchased. Working with Hyundai service manager who states first he has heard of it. The auto technician employed at the shop states is a common item. …

I received a recall on my 1999 Hyundai Sonata. The air bag light was on. I brought the car into the dealer on August 02 2002. They installed a side air bag wiring harness. Later the light came on again. I brought the car back in April 13 2004, they reset the codes, turned the air bag light off and advised me not to put anything under the seats. On 6/14/2004 the light came back on. I called the office and they told me that they could look at it but it is not under warranty and not under the recall. They told me that I would have to pay to have it fixed. They only fix it once on a recall. If it comes back on again I as a consumer need to pay to fix it. I then called Hyundai. I was concerned with the safety of the vehicle. I was told that the air bags still work and that the light will not affect the operation of the air bags. …

Tl contact owns a 1999 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the air bag light illuminated on the instrument panel, which indicated that the air bag was deactivated. The vehicle had a recall regarding the air bags and the dealer replaced the air bag assembly and driver's side air bag, and added a scale tool operation and lt module. Eight years later, the air bag light illuminated again. The contact took the vehicle to another dealer to inspect the air bag light and inquire about another recall. While the dealer was inspecting the vehicle, they realized that there were no air bags. The contact stated that the previous dealer was supposed to replace the air bags and he has paperwork stating that the air bags were replaced. He stated that it was unsafe to drive the vehicle for eight years without any air bags. The NHTSA campaign id number was unknown. …

Dt: consumer took vehicle for service to dealer. The airbag light was on. Took vehicle to the dealer 3 times for the airbag light. Each time it went to the dealer the airbag light would be off when consumer picked up the vehicle. Light would come back on after a couple of months. Last time vehicle was taken to the dealer with airbag light on dealer said that there was something loose under the seat. On July 25, 2005 consumer's wife was in an accident while driving 20 MPH, and the airbags did not deploy. Consumer's vehicle struck the rear of another vehicle and done $3300 dollars damage. Applied the brakes before hitting other vehicle. People in the other vehicle were injured and taken to the hospital for neck and shoulder pain. There was construction going on were the accident happened. The road had some loose gravel and dirt on it but the road was dry.

Consumer was traveling about35mph on a street and another vehicle came to a suddenly stop. When consumer looked up he had hit other vehicle from behind. Upon impact, dual airbags didn't deploy, consumer states that airbag light came on 3 times prior to accident and now twice after. Consumer hears rattle from trunk. Sunroof lining loose. Gas pedal vibrates while driving. When riding over bumps, there is a rattle in the right rear of the vehicle.

Cruise control was activated at 60 MPH when applying brakes to avoid an accident, but consumer lost control of vehicle and hit retainer wall head-on. Vehicle still maintained 60 MPH, and brakes did not deactivate cruise control. Eventually, vehicle stopped after consumer turned it off. Passenger's side air bag did not deploy/ seat belt did not lock up, and cruise control would not deactivate.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Airbag complaints in other Sonata years