NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Air Bags complaints
42 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Oct 27, 2017
Air Bags
IN SEPTEMBER 2017 MY VEHICLE'S AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON (DRIVER'S SIDE) AND I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, MADE AN APPOINTMENT, AND WHATEVER THEY DID CORRECTED THE PROBLEM UNTIL YESTERDAY WHEN THE SENSOR FLICKERED ON AND OFF DURING THE DAY AND EVENTUALLY STAYED ON. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP IF IT CAME ON AGAIN I WOULD REQUIRE A NEW DRI…
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IN SEPTEMBER 2017 MY VEHICLE'S AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON (DRIVER'S SIDE) AND I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, MADE AN APPOINTMENT, AND WHATEVER THEY DID CORRECTED THE PROBLEM UNTIL YESTERDAY WHEN THE SENSOR FLICKERED ON AND OFF DURING THE DAY AND EVENTUALLY STAYED ON. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP IF IT CAME ON AGAIN I WOULD REQUIRE A NEW DRIVERS FRONT IMPACT SENSOR, WHICH IS QUITE COSTLY. I DID NOTICE WHEN IT CAME ON THIS SECOND TIME I HAD BEEN ADJUSTING MY SEAT PRIOR TO STARTING THE CAR. IN AN ATTEMPT TO SEE IF THIS WAS SOMETHING I COULD CORRECT MYSELF (ONLINE) I NOTICED A COUPLE OF BLOGS THAT MENTIONED NHTSA.
NHTSA ODI #11040316
113,000 miles · Aug 21, 2017
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH. DURING THE CRASH, THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE AND WAS DESTROYED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD TRAUMA, WHICH REQUIRED MEDI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH. DURING THE CRASH, THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE AND WAS DESTROYED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD TRAUMA, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
NHTSA ODI #11018690
85,000 miles · May 20, 2017
Air BagsStructureWheels
AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH CAME ON, WAS RESET, AND CAME BACK ON CONSTANTLY AND REPORTED TO LIKELY NOT WORK PROPERLY. IT'S EXPECTED TO COST ALMOST $2000 TO REPLACE. THIS BEGAN TO HAPPEN ONLY WHEN I WAS DRIVING AND NOW IS CONSTANT. NOW IT'S ESSENTIALLY UNSAFE FOR ANYONE TO SIT IN MY FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. IN ADDITION, MY TIRE…
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AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH CAME ON, WAS RESET, AND CAME BACK ON CONSTANTLY AND REPORTED TO LIKELY NOT WORK PROPERLY. IT'S EXPECTED TO COST ALMOST $2000 TO REPLACE. THIS BEGAN TO HAPPEN ONLY WHEN I WAS DRIVING AND NOW IS CONSTANT. NOW IT'S ESSENTIALLY UNSAFE FOR ANYONE TO SIT IN MY FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. IN ADDITION, MY TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING LIGHT HAS ALSO COME ON CONSTANTLY AND THE DEALER HAS REPORTEDLY ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE AND RESET AND SWITCH OUT THE MONITORS IN ALL OF THE TIRES AND THAT INDICATOR LIGHT HAS YET TO BE FIXED. THIS STARTED WHEN THE CAR WAS JUST TURNED ON, STATIONARY. I AM STARTING TO GET A CHRISTMAS TREE LOOKING DASHBOARD. IN ADDITION, THE DOOR BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SIDE HAS BECOME STUCK AND WON'T OPEN, DUE TO REPORTEDLY ALLOWING WATER IN FOR THE HANDLE TO RUST. AS WELL AS ABOUT A YEAR AGO MY DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR JUST SUDDENLY FELL OUT OF THE CEILING WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THIS IS LITERALLY THE WORST CAR I'VE EVER OWNED.
NHTSA ODI #10990695
65,423 miles · Nov 22, 2016
Air Bags
THE INDICATOR LIGHT FOR AIR BAGS CAME ON AND I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT MIGHT HAVE CAUSED IT AS MY WIFE AND I ARE VERY CAREFUL WITH OUR ASSETS...WE ARE BOTH 75.
NHTSA ODI #10927565
233,451 miles · Aug 15, 2016
Air Bags
DRIVING HOME WITH NO PASSANGER AND PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED BREAKING WINDSHIELD .
NHTSA ODI #10896125
102,000 miles · Jul 27, 2016
Air BagsSteering
I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO WILSON HYUNDAI FOR THE RECALLS TO BE CORRECTED. I WAS ALSO HAVING ISSUES WITH AN AIR BAG LIGHT AND A CLICKING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL. I RECEIVED A CALL TELLING ME MY STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE SENSORS TO A MODULE. I WAS THEN TOLD THAT THE SENSOR TO MY PASSENG…
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I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO WILSON HYUNDAI FOR THE RECALLS TO BE CORRECTED. I WAS ALSO HAVING ISSUES WITH AN AIR BAG LIGHT AND A CLICKING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL. I RECEIVED A CALL TELLING ME MY STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE SENSORS TO A MODULE. I WAS THEN TOLD THAT THE SENSOR TO MY PASSENGER SEAT HAD MALFUNCTIONED AND THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE BOTTOM PORTION OF THE SEAT. THEY WERE WANTING TO CHARGE ME OVER $6,000.00 TO REPAIR THESE TWO ISSUES. THERE ARE RECALLS ON BOTH OF THESE ISSUES: NHTSA 15V100000 ADDRESSES ISSUES WITH THE STEERING AND THE FIX DOES NOT INCLUDE OR REQUIRE THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN. THE SOLUTION FOR THIS RECALL IS TO REPROGRAM THE COMPUTER. THIS DOES NOT ADDRESS THE CLICKING NOISE IN THE COLUMN WHERE A GEAR/COG DISINTEGRATES OVER TIME.... A $12.00 PART IS ESTIMATED TO COST OVER $500 IN LABOR TO REPLACE. THE ISSUE WITH THE AIR BAG MALFUNCTIONING IS ADDRESSED IN 2009 HYUNDAI ELANTRA AIR BAGS: FRONTAL: SENSOR/ CONTROL MODULE NHTSA CAMPAIGN #11V143000. I AM BEING TOLD THAT THIS ISSUE IS ONLY FOR CERTAIN 2007-2009 ELANTRAS MANUFACTURED BEFORE NOV 1, 2008. MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED APRIL 30, 2009 SO THEY DONT WANT TO FIX THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH IT IS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM ADDRESSED IN RECALL. I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT IF YOU WOULD LOOK INTO THIS MATTER AND EXPAND THE MANUFACTURING DATE TO ADDRESS THOSE OF US WHO OWN A 2009 MANUFACTURED AFTER NOVEMBER 1, 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRAS WHOSE AIR BAGS ARE MALFUNCTIONING.
NHTSA ODI #10888956
80,000 miles · Mar 17, 2016
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT SENSOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT SENSOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA ODI #10850169
122,069 miles · Mar 11, 2016
Air BagsExterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING AND CRACKED THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER SIDE TAIL LIGHT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING AND CRACKED THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER SIDE TAIL LIGHT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,069.
NHTSA ODI #10846130
113,000 miles · Jan 15, 2016
Air BagsEngineStructureCrash
I HIT A DEER ON HIGHWAY 890 IN ROTTERDAM NY, SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT THE GUARDRAIL, CAR HAD DAMAGE ALL AROUND, THE MOST DAMAGE WAS IN THE FRONT RESULTING IN A TOTALED VEHICLE, MY WHOLE FRONT END IS GONE, AND NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, WE WERE TRAVELING DOING ABOUT 60 MILES PER HOUR
NHTSA ODI #10820497
66,600 miles · Jul 23, 2015
Air BagsCrashInjury
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 UNIDEN…
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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.
NHTSA ODI #10736089
Official recalls
4Feb 4, 2020
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2007-2010 Elantra and 2009-2011 Elantra Touring vehicles. On February 21, 2020 Hyundai expanded the recall to include 46,425 model year 2007-2008 Entourage and 2007 Santa Fe vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the car is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the vehicle's main junction box to prevent the risk of an ABS short-circuit while the car is turned off, free of charge. The recall began April 2, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 188.
Feb 23, 2015
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Elantra vehicles manufactured June 1, 2008, to April 30, 2010, and 2009-2010 Elantra Touring vehicles manufactured November 1, 2008, to April 30, 2010. The electronic power steering (EPS) electronic control unit (ECU) may sense a discrepancy in the steering input signals and, as a result, disable the steering power assist.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will verify the proper operation of the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) and update the EPS control unit, free of charge. The recall began April 14, 2015. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 127.
Apr 1, 2013
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. In September 2013, Hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110.
Mar 15, 2011
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. THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR THE WEIGHT SENSOR IS LOCATED UNDER THE CENTER CONSOLE, BETWEEN THE FRONT SEATS. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES THE CONNECTOR COULD BECOME CONTAMINATED AND MALFUNCTION SUCH THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY REGARDLESS OF THE WEIGHT OF THE OCCUPANT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG COULD DEPLOY IN CRASHES IN WHICH IT SHOULD NOT DEPLOY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT FROM THE DEPLOYED AIR BAG.
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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI'S CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1DP21003 · Throttle Control System Vulnerabilities
Opened Nov 12, 2021 · Closed Jun 20, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:throttle
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003. Accordingly, Model Year (MY) 2005-2016 Kia Optima/K5, MY 2006-2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, MY 2006-2015 Hyundai Sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire that can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under reference (ODI) number 11439675.On November 12, 2021, ODI opened Defect Petition DP21-003 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI performed trend analyses of the VOQs related to vehicle speed control issues for all the subject vehicles and found that none of the 52 Model/Model Year Hyundai/Kia vehicles demonstrated any actionable trend that warranted an investigation.Petitioners submitted 1119 VOQs and non-VOQ cases in which sudden uncommanded acceleration (SUA) or loss of motive power (LOMP) incidents were alleged.For the 1119 reports, 220 were incidents involving crashes, from which 69 subject Hyundai-Kia vehicles were inspected by Hyundai/Kia dealer technicians, Hyundai/Kia engineers, and/or third-party representatives.ODI found the inspections identified no vehicle defects related to the ETC system.Of the 220 crash-involved reports, 13 Event Data Recorder (EDR) records were downloaded successfully and 11 of those indicated driver error: (i.e.) pedal misapplication.A condition where the accelerator pedal is mistakenly applied instead of the brake pedal when the driver wants to stop the vehicle.In addition, ODI reviewed a scientific journal paper published in Forensic Science International in 2016 by Mr. Park et al ., as well as related test videos. ODI does not believe there is any evidence of uncontrollable SUA occurrences in any of the tests reviewed. NHTSA's Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) reviewed the allegations regarding the potential noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 124.Based on the information provided, the Agency concludes there is insufficient information for us to determine if a possible non-compliance exists.Finally, both Hyundai and Kia informed ODI that all their vehicles manufactured after 2012 were equipped with an ETC management system, in which the engine speed will go to idle when the system sees signals from both the brake pedal and accelerator pedal at the same time; this is commonly known as the brake-throttle override system.After thoroughly assessing the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in NHTSA's possession, information submitted by Hyundai and Kia in response to an Information Request letter, and the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner's allegation, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. After full consideration of appropriate factors, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA?s reasons for denial of the petition will be published.
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