Airbag complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 2% | 18,000 miles |
| 2024 | 4 | 4% | — |
| 2023 | 4 | 3% | — |
| 2022 | 12 | 3% | 15,000 miles |
| 2021 | 2 | 3% | — |
| 2020 | 7 | 4% | 50,000 miles |
| 2019 | 3 | 1% | 39,000 miles |
| 2018 | 5 | 1% | 24,000 miles |
| 2017 | 10 | 1% | 22,000 miles |
| 2016 | 15 | 1% | 42,000 miles |
| 2015 | 5 | 2% | 40,000 miles |
| 2014 | 2 | 1% | 62,000 miles |
| 2013 | 11 | 4% | 30,000 miles |
| 2012 | 6 | 2% | 60,000 miles |
| 2011 | 1 | 1% | 80,000 miles |
| 2010 | 5 | 8% | 76,000 miles |
| 2009 | 6 | 33% | 31,000 miles |
| 2008 | 4 | 9% | 67,000 miles |
| 2007 | 13 | 20% | 68,000 miles |
| 2006 | 37 | 27% | 33,000 miles |
| 2005 | 31 | 17% | 76,000 miles |
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 leased a 2025 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, another driver cut her off while in an intersection which activated the emergency brake system. As a result, the contact was hit from behind by another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy and the seat belt failed to secure the contact and thrusted her forward. The contact did not seek medical attention but days after the accident, the right side of her neck, right lower shoulder blade, right inner thigh, right side of her chest, left side sciatica, lower right abdomen, and lower back. The authorities arrived at the scene and a police report was filed. Despite the failure and the damage to the vehicle, the contact managed to drive the vehicle home. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 15,900.
The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle hydroplaned, causing the driver to lose steering control, and the vehicle struck a concrete median wall. The frontal structure suffered severe damage, destroying the vehicle; however, the air bags failed to deploy. The driver was transported to the hospital via emergency medical services with back and neck injuries, including a fractured cervical spine. A police report was taken at the scene, and the vehicle was towed. The cause of the air bag non-deployment failure was not determined. Both the dealer and manufacturer were notified of the incident. The contact also stated that the air bags failed to deploy during a prior crash into a tree stump. The failure mileage was 18,000.
My wife and I purchased a 2024 Hyundai Tucson in June. Since February 28, 2025 the SRS indicator lights have come on twice. Hyundai replaced the airbag twice. In March, the emergency brake system red lights illuminated, and the car came to an abrupt stop. Luckily, there were no Cars behind me. Seconds later, the car resumed, and the lights disappeared. Hyundai dealership took the car in and returned it in two hours noting they could not duplicate. Several days ago, the same thing happened with the emergency brake system. Driving at approximately 40 mph the car slammed on brakes and the dash illuminated again. No cars behind me. The dealership returned the car once again, noting they could not duplicate. The car has less than 8000 miles. I won't allow my wife to drive more than 10 miles alone. It's unsafe. …
All of a sudden my 2024 Tucson gages indicated emergency braking for about 1 to 3 seconds and the front end went down as though I was stopping (scared me ). I was so happy no one was behind me. No one really behind me or to my left. Only one car to the right of me in another lane. Also, had to replace air bag at 6176 miles
As I was pulling into a parking space in a parking garage, the vehicle's engine revved, tires squealed and then the vehicle propelled forward on its own, without my foot being on the accelerator. The vehicle only stopped when it hit a support column and the wall of the parking structure. There was extensive damage to my vehicle and to the parking structure wall. My safety and the safety of others was put at risk due to the car accelerating on its own. The problem has not been confirmed or reproduced by the dealer, but we did take the vehicle to the dealer for inspection and they said they could not find anything wrong with the vehicle that would have caused the unintended acceleration. The vehicle has been inspected by the manufacturer, the insurance company and an investigator for Hyundai. …
I was driving straight when a vehicle coming from the opposite direction made a left turn without yielding, crossing into my lane. As a result, my vehicle collided with the other car at full speed. However, the airbag in my steering wheel did not deploy upon impact, as it should have. My injuries have been significantly more severe than they would have been had the airbag functioned properly. I reported this issue to the vehicle manufacturer, and they opened a case and conducted an inspection. During their inspection, they found that the airbag had since deployed. However, my vehicle was transported off a steep hill and moved to multiple lots before the inspection, any of which could have triggered a delayed deployment. Despite this, the manufacturer has refused to accept liability. …
The contact owned a 2022 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at 25-30 MPH, another vehicle struck the front driver side, flinging the vehicle to the right side before another vehicle crashed into the front passenger side. The air bags failed to deploy. No warning light was illuminated. The contact's husband sustained back injuries, while the contact suffered a concussion. Medical attention was received for both. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard, where it was deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph, she collided with an Elk. The engine caught fire and the vehicle was engulfed in the flames. The driver was able to exit the vehicle safely. The contact stated that prior to the crash, the check engine warning indicator light was illuminated. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no reported injuries. A police report was filed. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to an independent lot. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 1,000.
Related recalls (6)
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 › Side/window › Curtain
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025 Tucson, 2025-2026 Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, and 2026 Genesis GV70 vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not have been installed properly, which can cause the air bags not to deploy as intended.
Remedy: Dealers will reinstall the side curtain air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning December 29, 2025. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.
Air bags
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Hyundai Tucson vehicles manufactured January 3, 2011, through December 23, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the air bag assembly installed in the steering wheel may come loose from its mounting.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the bolts that secure the driver's air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on May 9, 2014.
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2010 tucson vehicles. Properly seated adult right front seat passengers weighing over approximately 240 pounds cause the passive occupant detection system (pods) module program to illuminate the "air bag" warning lamp.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the pods module free of charge. Hyundai anticipates owners notification began by telephone on February 15 2010 and the notification was mailed on March 5, 2010.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
On certain vehicles, static air bag deployment testing conducted by NHTSA using fifth percentile female dummies indicated that a small stature adult driver not wearing a seat belt and involved in a frontal or near frontal crash, the deployment of the driver air bag May not occur.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver air bag module with one that is designed to provide an increased margin of compliance for low risk deployment for small stature adults who are not properly wearing the seat belts.
Show 1 more recall
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
On certain sport utility vehicles, during static air bag deployment testing conducted by NHTSA using fifth percentile female dummies indicated if a small statured adult driver, not wearing a seat belt, is involved in a frontal or near frontal crash, deployment of the driver air bag May result in an insufficient margin of…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver air bag module. The recall began on January 29, 2007, and will be conducted through six mailings. Owners May contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
Frequently asked questions
Which Hyundai Tucson years have airbag problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2006 (37), 2005 (31), 2016 (15), 2007 (13) and 2022 (12) model years. Airbag complaints make up 27% of all complaints for the 2006.
Is there a recall for Hyundai Tucson airbag problems?
Yes — 6 recalls, including 26V-254 (side impact, Apr 20, 2026); 25V-809 (curtain, Nov 20, 2025); 14V-245 (air bags, May 13, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Hyundai Tucson airbag problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 47,000 miles; 57% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the frontal (6 mentions), followed by the frontal › driver side › inflator module (6).
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.