42 of the 319 complaints about the 2009 Hyundai Elantra are about the airbag system — 13% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 82,500 miles.
42
Complaints
13
Crashes
0
Fires
14
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
AIR BAGS
I backed into my driveway, placed the vehicle in park and as I was setting the parking break the drivers side airbag deployed. The vehicle was still running.
NHTSA complaint #11617601 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
Air bag light is on as soon as car power on until it turns off passenger airbag is off I dont know if my airbags will deploy if I get in an accident . While driving steady speed of 50-60 mph while pressing gas sometimes it doesn’t increase speed but instead jerks until I let go of the gas and then depress it again it happenes maybe 2-3 times during a drive .
NHTSA complaint #11590750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
March 26, 2024 Hello; Re: 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring VIN# [XXX] On [XXX], I while driving on a very icy slippery road to do low temperatures and the city not salting the roads like they should have! I was going approximately 22 mph & somehow I lost control of my car & slammed into a light pole & the whole entire front end of my car was destroyed! Meanwhile, none of the airbags deployed & I slammed into the steering wheel! I had my seatbelt on & it immediately locked up on me & someone had to cut me out of the seatbelt! I was transported to the hospital emergency, while my car was towed to "E. End Auto" @ 64 10th Ave. Dickinson, ND I suffered severe injuries such as back & neck injuries, 4 bruised ribs & horribly severe bruises to my left eye & scars! As soon as I possibly could I contacted "E End Auto" to find out what to do next & they informed me that the tow charges were approximately $700 & that was less than a 2-mile tow! Additionally each day the car sat in their storage lot it was $75 per day! It took me a few days to get a ride to get to my car due to pain and suffering, which I'm still experiencing terribly!! So, by the time I got to my car it had been there approximately 3 to 4 days & my bill was over $1,000! I spoke with the owner & pleaded & begged him if he could possibly offer me something for my car since it was obviously totaled out! He said absolutely no & that if I gave him the title to my car he would zero out the bill! So unfortunately hesitantly I had no choice, so I signed over the title! This business used to take vehicles that were wrecked & part them out. Unfortunately, they do not do that any longer & my car would soon be transferred to the salvage yard & be crushed! I don't understand what could have happened! I'm asking with all due respect and consideration if this matter can be looked into please?! Thank You INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11582091 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light intermittently illuminated. Additionally, the passenger's side air bag light failed to illuminate while a passenger was seated in the passenger's side front seat. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and an independent mechanic, where the air bags software was reset; however, the failure recurred. The dealer confirmed that the air bags were Takata brand air bags. The independent mechanic determined that the air bag sensors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 146,000.
NHTSA complaint #11506466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
My car is having the same problem that the 2009 Elantra Sedan is having. My air bag warning light recently came on while I was driving and does not go off. I am concerned that my air bags will not go off in an accident.
NHTSA complaint #11503090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
On June 20th, 2022 my daughter was pulling into a parking space in the King of Prussia mall in Pennsylvania. Just before she turned the ignition off, both the driver's and passenger's side airbags deployed. THERE WAS NO COLLISION INVOLVED. Attached photos were taken immediately after to prove this. The vehicle was inspected by an independent inspector hired by Hyundai approximately 3 weeks later. According to Hyundai, there was front frame damage (this may have been from a February 2018 collision). Hyundai is covering up a serious potential safety issue by taking this position. Why frame damage from a 2018 collision be a material factor to this mishap? If this uncommanded airbag deployment happened while my daughter was driving at speed, she could have been in a serious accident. This vehicle is untouched and it is available for inspection. I encourage a NHTSA inspector to come look at the vehicle. Hyundai's refusal to take responsibility to find the root cause of this mechanical failure is reprehensible.
NHTSA complaint #11483583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
Just bought this used 2009 Hydunai Elantra. Dealer asking for 1400 to replace Airbag module. Car was never in an accident. Is there any compensation for this or can it be reset Also brought car over to Lester Glenn Toms River nj for recall on antilock brakes. They didn’t have part which means tying up car again. Why don’t they have recall parts readily available. Can u make an suggestion can’t afford that air bag module
NHTSA complaint #11480165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
While driving smoothly, suddenly the dash airbag warning light came on and has stayed on now for some time. That apparently signals that airbag will not deploy in an accident and is a clear safety issue. This should be a recall issue. RG
NHTSA complaint #11440160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
MY PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON
NHTSA complaint #11398287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
I WAS DRIVING FROM WORK AND MY AIRBAG LIGHT COME ON SO I GOT IT TESTED AND THEY SAID IT WAS MY PASSENGER SEAT IS IT SAFE TO DRIVE MY CAR
NHTSA complaint #11366404 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR A FEW DAYS AGO, THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON ALL THE TIME EVEN BEFORE I PURCHASED, THE EX-OWNER GOT THE CAR FROM HIS GRAND-MA AS A GIFT AND HE SAID IT HAD BEEN LIKE THAT SINCE HE STARTED TO DRIVE, I SEARCHED ONLINE TO FIND OUT ABOUT THE PROBLEM, NOTICED THAT IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM FACED BY MANY HYUDAI ELANTRA OWNERS.
NHTSA complaint #11289997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
I PURCHASED A CAR FROM AL AT ISLAND AUTO SALES, (631) 569-5050, 330 EAST MAIN STREET, SUITE B, PATCHOGUE, NY 11772. 1-AIR BAG LIGHT WAS/IS ON AT ALL THE TIME. 2-CAR WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT/WORN INSIDE TIRES ALL TIMES. 3-CAR TRANSMISSION ALL OF THE SUDDEN SLOWS AND THEN JUMPS, VERY FREQUENTLY, WHILE DRIVING AL SAID HE WILL FIX THE ISSUES. HE ALIGNED THE CAR, BUT IS STILL PULLING TO THE SIDE. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC SHOP AND HE SAID: "TIRES ARE WORN OUT FROM INSIDE AND CAN CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE. AIRBAG SPEED DETECTION SENSOR IS MISSING ALL TOGETHER AND CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS. I HAVE CONTACTED AL, VIA PHONE, EMAIL AND FAX, AND ASKED HIM TO CORRECT THE TWO ISSUES. HE IS NOT RESPONDING. THAT IS WHY I AM CONTACTING YOU FOR HELP. I HAVE A RECORD OF MY COMMUNICATIONS WITH ISLAND AUTO SALES.
NHTSA complaint #11282481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
THE LIGHT OF THE AIRBAG USED TO TURN ON AND OFF CONSTANTLY I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE MECHANIC AND FINDS NO PROBLEM. NOW THE CAR HAS A WEEK WITH THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON. I HAVEN'T HAD ANY COLITIONS
NHTSA complaint #11255854 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
SRS AIR BAG LIGHT ON. GURNEE HYUNDAI AND HYUNDAI USA 1(800)633-5151 SAID THIS DOES NOT FALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID : 11V143000 BECAUSE MY CAR IS A GLS NOT AN SE. SRS IS ALWAYS ON AND DEALER SAID SENSOR WAS CONTAMINATED JUST LIKE THE CAMPAIGN STATED COULD HAPPEN ON 2009 ELANTRAS. HYUNDAI WANTS OVER $2000 TO REPLACE THIS SENSOR.
NHTSA complaint #11243314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO OR 3 MONTHS AGO MY AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AND NEVER WENT OFF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT THAT SAYS OFF GOS OUT WHEN SOMEONE SIT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT BUT THE LIGHT ON THE DASH STAYS ON I REPLACED THE BATTERY A MONTH LATER BECAUSE SOMEONE SAID TO TRY THAT IT DID NOT WORK I LOOKED UP RECALLS AND YOU DO HAVE THEM FOR 2009 ELANTRAS ONLY FOR CERTAIN MANUFACTURERS MONTHS I BELIVE MY VEHICLE WAS AFFECTED TOO
NHTSA complaint #11222819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG LIGHT WENT ON AND STAYED LIT AFTER STARTING CAR, BEGINING IN OCTOBER 2018. PROBLEM SEEMED INTERMITTENT; STAYED OFF AFTER START UP WHEN THERE WAS WEIGHT IN PASSENGER SEAT. TOOK TO LOCAL MECHANIC AND A DIAGNOSIS WAS RAN. CODES SHOWED EITHER THE BATTERY OR THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR. HAD THE 3 1/2 YEAR OLD BATTERY REPLACED TO RULE THAT OUT. NO AIR BAG LIGHT ISSUE FOR ABOUT TEN DAYS, BUT PROBLEM BEGAN AGAIN. A FEW MORE WEEKS PASS AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AT ALL TIMES. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY WHEN THAT LIGHT IS ON. I WAS TOLD BY HYUNDI THAT AIR BAG PROBLEMS WOULD BE PAID BY THEM, BUT NOT FOR RELATED SENSOR ISSUES. SEEMS THE SENSOR IS EQUALLY AS DANGEROUS. NO AIR BAGS, ARE NO AIR BAGS. I BOUGHT THE CAR (USED) BECAUSE OF ITS HIGH SAFETY RATINGS FOR MY TWO TEENS TO DRIVE. I THINK ANY ITEM EFFECTING THE AIR BAGS SHOULD BE RECALLED ASAP. THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESEARCH INTO THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #11165660 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
IN JANUARY 2017 I WAS INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT. I HIT ANOTHER CAR IN THE REAR AT 65 MPH. THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET INFORMATION FROM HYUNDIA FOR OVER TWO YEARS AND THEY WILL NOT GIVE ANY INFORMATION THEY FINALLY LOOKED AT MY VEHICLE AND SAID THAT THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY BECAUSE IT WAS NOT DESIGNED TO DEPLOY IN THAT TYPE OF ACCIDENT .I ASSUME THERE IS A MANUFACTURE DESIGN PROBLEM. I WAS TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY AND A YOUNG GIRL CROSSED FOUR LANES OF TRAFFIC RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME AND I HIT HER DIELECTRIC IN THE REAR AT 65 MPH. HYUNDIA WOULD PROVIDE ME ANY DOCUMENTATION TO CONFIRM THERE ASSESSMENT I AM A TEXAS LICENSED INSURANCE APPRAISER AND HAVE A LOT OF EXPERIENCE WITH ACCIDENT RECONSTRUCTION. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS MANUFACTURE DESIGN PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. I HAVE SAVED THE CAR FOR INSPECTION IF NEEDED. I WAS PERMANENT DISABLED IN THE ACCIDENT AND HYUNDIA WWILL DO NOTHING
NHTSA complaint #11155603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG LIGHT ON DASH STAYS ILLUMINATED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING AND IT SHOULD BE A RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #11115577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
MY SON WAS DRIVING TO CHURCH ON A CITY STREET AND BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS HAD DEPLOYED AND SEAT BELTS STOPPED WORKING.
NHTSA complaint #11114694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
SRS LIGHT CAME ON (AIRBAG) WHEN VEHICLE MOVING OR STATIONARY, CONTACT DEALER AND OEM FOR PROBLEM BUT NO HELP. DEALER IS ASKING MORE THAN $100 FOR JUST READING CODES.
NHTSA complaint #11058540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 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 complaint #11040316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
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 complaint #11018690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
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 complaint #10990695 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 complaint #10927565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
DRIVING HOME WITH NO PASSANGER AND PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED BREAKING WINDSHIELD .
NHTSA complaint #10896125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
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 complaint #10888956 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA complaint #10850169 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
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 complaint #10846130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
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 complaint #10820497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
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 complaint #10736089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.