Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2017 Hyundai Sonata owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Airbags did not deploy no indicator light came on before nor after I was struck from my driver side front area and yes it is available for inspection upon request. My safety along with my sisters safety was put at risk due to the negligence and cheapness of the dealership I purchased the car from also from there misleading information and improper inspection before selling me the car Car has not been reproduced or confirmed The car was inspected by a third party appraisal company for damages amounts There were no lights on at all before the accident and I am pretty certain that the dealership cleaared the codes before selling me the car
Power relay has been replaced several times, air bags did not deploy with either wreck and loss control of steering causing a crash which bent the frame. Hyundai never once contacted me regarding this defective car they replaced motor in because of knock sensor and im lucky to be alive. On one of the accidents in February there was an error message that popped up right before I had the wreck and it was an error message wrong with the cars transmission system or something like that I had the dealership who said there was no codes on that car and I had my own personal mechanic who had codes pop up on that car that the dealership hid
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that he was concerned for his safety while operating the vehicle. An undisclosed dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not covered under warranty and the contact was advised take the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.
The car was involved in a front end collision going about 35 mph. The Collison was enough to bust the radiator and likely total the car. The entire front end is heavily damaged. There was a driver and front seat passenger in the vehicle at the time of Collision. The seat belts did not lock nor did any airbag deploy.
I was involved in a severe motor vehicle collision in a 2017 Hyundai Sonata. The airbags failed to deploy during the crash. I sustained serious injuries and was transported from the scene by EMS. This vehicle has known safety recalls, and I believe the airbag non-deployment may indicate a safety defect.
I am reporting a serious safety defect involving a vehicle purchased from [redacted] on [redacted]. The vehicle was later involved in a collision that resulted in a total loss. According to the police report, I was not at fault. During this crash, none of the airbags deployed, which indicates a possible defect or prior undisclosed issue with the airbag system. The vehicle was sold with a warranty and was represented as safe and road-ready. The dealership also provided and managed the full-coverage insurance policy. However, the total-loss claim has been delayed and obstructed, and the dealership has not taken responsibility for ensuring the vehicle's safety or functionality. There is significant concern regarding the condition of the vehicle prior to sale. Records show that Byrider cleared the vehicle's computer on July 16, 2025, less than a month before purchase. …
The Abs brakes and traction control go in and out and affects the brakes while driving, I know there been reports of fire but for some reason my car is not in the recall, same thing with the air bags lights come on showing faulty air bags and on scanner tools but not recalled even though Hyundai knows about these issues. Now for engine I went to have my engine looked at 2 times for oil consumption and all they did was a combustion chamber cleaning twice which both failed in less the 8100 miles so when I took it back for another oil consumption test for the 3rd time today, the engine light came on, it started knocking, lost power and riding rough. …
Airbag warning light activated on vehicle on or around August 15th of this year. Vehicle was in normal operating condition, and had not been involved in any accident. Vehicle was taken to Hyundai dealer for service. Dealer diagnosed issue as failed driver's side airbag. Airbag replacement was required at owner expense, not covered under manufacturer warranty (as confirmed with the manufacturer). I am concerned as consumer that the standard safety equipment of the vehicle failed under normal operating conditions, requiring expensive repair in order for consumer to restore safety of the driver. Vehicle has been repaired at dealership and can be made available for inspection if desired.
The RED light is lit on the dashboard for the airbag. Unable to use steering wheel electronic features which helps with and was designed for hands free controls. I am unable to cycle through the electronic features or engage the cruise control due to the steering wheel electronics are in-op. Please help and get a recall started. This is not on the consumer.
Air bag and traction warning lights came on at the same time. Dealer scanned and said the air bag control module was defective. After replacing the module the dealer informs me that the passengers front air bag is defective. Failure of these parts would cause the air bags to not deploy in an accident. The car is still at the dealer at this time.
Related recalls
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.
NHTSA investigations
DTN Air Bag Inflator Rupture
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has become aware of eight vehicle crashes in which a rupture of a Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN) air bag inflator occurred during the deployment of the driver side air bag. All eight drivers in these crashes sustained serious or fatal injuries that appear linked to the ruptures.
Electrical overstress
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events.
Airbag complaints in other Sonata years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2017 Hyundai Sonata?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the air bags of the 2017 Hyundai Sonata, 3% of the model year's 766 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2017 Hyundai Sonata airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 16V-956 (inflator module, Dec 30, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2017 Hyundai Sonata airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 32,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 9 crashes, 0 fires and 10 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.