46 of the
504 complaints about the 2010 Hyundai Elantra are about the
airbag system — 9% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
63,829 miles.
I am submitting this complaint regarding a possible airbag/SRS system failure involving a Hyundai vehicle. On May 26, 2026, the vehicle was involved in a severe front-end collision resulting in major structural damage to the front end, including the hood, bumper reinforcement, radiator support, and engine compartment. Despite the significant impact damage, none of the airbags deployed, including the driver or passenger frontal airbags. The collision was serious enough that the occupants could have suffered severe injury or death. Based on the extent of the damage, I believe the airbag system, crash sensors, or airbag control module may have malfunctioned or failed to operate properly. Photos documenting the damage are available. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this incident for potential safety defects involving: * Airbag non-deployment * Crash sensor failure * SRS system malfunction * Airbag control module defects I am also requesting review of whether similar complaints or investigations exist involving this Hyundai model or related vehicles.
NHTSA complaint #11740444 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mount Sterling, KYCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
On Sept 12th of this year I was involved in a multiple rollover with my Hyundai elantra and not one single airbag deployed nor did my seatbelt tighten up to keep me from moving around as much. Due to this I suffered a fractured vertabrae.
NHTSA complaint #11548355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 135,000 milesWhittier, CACrash2 injured
AIR BAGS
The contact owned a 2010 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while his wife was driving downhill in the rain at 45 MPH, she failed to apply the brakes and crashed into a vehicle. The impact of the crash caused a three-vehicle pile up. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. Due to the failure, his wife hit her right arm and chest on the steering column. The authorities arrived at the scene and rendered aid by the EMT. The driver of the vehicle that his wife crashed into sustained neck injuries. The contact later took his wife to a hospital where she was treated for bruising to her right arm and chest. A police report was filed(2023-17095). The vehicle was towed to an independent tow yard where it remained in their possession. The manufacturer nor the dealer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.
NHTSA complaint #11523196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Point, UT
AIR BAGS
Clockspring has failed . Hyundai has extended the clockspring warranty for 2011 to 2014 Elantras to a 15-year unlimited mileage but has excluded the 2010 models for some reason. I would like Hyundai to extend the warranty to all affected vehicles as it is a safety hazard.
NHTSA complaint #11516041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salem, OR1 injured
AIR BAGS
My daughter was parked sitting in this car before going into work when all the airbags but the front ones deployed. The driver side one hit her arm very hard. The car was on but in park. Nothing hit the car.
NHTSA complaint #11438441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 47,000 milesAstoria, NY
AIR BAGS
MY 2010 ELANTRA HAS A FAULTY AIRBAG MODULE. MY AIRBAGS HAVE NEVER BEEN DEPLOYED AND I ONLY HAVE AROUND 47,000 IN MILEAGE. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME I HAVE A CODE B1620. THEY SAID IT WOULD COST ABOUT $1100 TO FIX, WHICH SEEMS LIKE AN OUTRAGEOUS COST TO ME FOR A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE CAR. MY CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, BUT I BELIEVE AN ISSUE LIKE THIS SHOULD BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE.
NHTSA complaint #11412958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 165,000 milesOakland, CA
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER SAN LEANDRO KIA (1066 MARINA BLVD, SAN LEANDRO, CA 94577, (510)347-3000) WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 165,000.
NHTSA complaint #11394442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesMalvern, PA
AIR BAGS
PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT HAS REMAINED ON FOR THE PAST 6 MONTHS. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE INTERNET AND LEARNED THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE IN 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA MODELS. MANY OTHER HYUNDAI MODELS ARE BEING RECALLED FOR AIRBAG DEFECTS. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THERE IS NOT A RECALL ON MY MODEL. CAR NOT SAFE TO DRIVING WONDERING IF AIR BAG WILL DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND HYUNDAI HEADQUARTERS BUT BOTH STATED MY VIN IS NOT PART OF THIS RECALL. WHY?
NHTSA complaint #11341427 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glen Burnie, MD
AIR BAGS
THE AIRBAG WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT TURNED ON AND WOULD GO ON AND OFF, BUT WOULDN'T TELL ME WHETHER IT IS FOR THE PASSENGER LIGHT (WHICH HAS BECOME FAULTY SOMETIMES HAVING A FALSE POSITIVE OR FALSE NEGATIVE TO WHETHER THE PASSENGER IS THERE), BUT MOST RECENTLY HAS STAYED ON PERMANENTLY WITH THE PASSENGER LIGHT CORRECTLY READING OFF - IT IS UNCLEAR WHETHER THAT MEANS THAT THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE OR IF THE DRIVER'S SIDE WOULD NOT DEPLOY. IT IS UNCLEAR WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE AIRBAG OVERALL AND IF THE CAR HAS SWITCHED OFF AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. THE WARNING LIGHT HAS SWITCHED OFF A FEW TIMES SEEMINGLY INDICATING EVERYTHING IS FINE, HOWEVER IT NOW STAYS ON REGARDLESS OF WHERE DRIVEN.
NHTSA complaint #11328998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 93,000 milesHendersonville, TNCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
HYDROPLANED HEAD ON INTO A GUARDRAIL AND AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY DOING 23+ MPH. HIGHWAY GOING AROUND A TURN.
NHTSA complaint #11321750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesSAN Antonio, TX
AIR BAGS
MY RED AIR BAG NOTIFICATION ON MY DASHBOARD STAYS ON. WAS TOLD THIS MEANS NO AIR BAG COVERAGE. ALSO THAT IT IS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY. I AM DRIVING THIS BUT ONLY BECAUSE DEALERSHIP SAID I WOULD NEED TOO PAY FOR INSPECTION TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS THEN PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE I AM A SENIOR DRIVER AND NEVER HAD A TICKET BUT AM WORRIED THAT THIS MAY CAUSE IT TO DEPLOY ON IT'S OWN WHILE DRIVING. AS A SAFETY ISSUE I FEEL THIS NOT BE A CHARGE THAT I NEED TO COVER. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF A POWER STEERING RECALL. ONLY TOLD ABOUT IT SOME TIME AFTER I PAID TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED. NOW I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE HANDLED AS A SAFETY ISSUE BY THE DEALER NOT ME. THERE ARE MANY REPORTS OF THIS REGARDING THE RED LIGHT ALERT HAPPENING AND NOTHING BEING DONE.
NHTSA complaint #11301551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Middleburg, FL
AIR BAGS
THE EPS LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD CAME ON ONE DAY. I WAS WORRIED ABOUT DRIVING THE CAR, SO I WENT TO A NEARBY MECHANIC FIRST. HE INFORMED ME THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH MY STEERING COLUMN AND AN OPEN RECALL FOR MY VIN. HE ENCOURAGED ME TO GO TO A DEALERSHIP AND SEE IF THE RECALL WAS CONNECTED TO THE STEERING ISSUE. I WENT DIRECTLY TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD THE RECALL PERFORMED. A FEW DAYS LATER, THE EPS LIGHT CAME BACK ON. SHORTLY AFTER THAT, THE AIRBAG LIGHT ALSO CAME ON. I PARKED THE CAR FOR FEAR OF A POSSIBLE INCIDENT. I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER INITIAL DIAGNOSTICS, I WAS INFORMED THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND THE TECHNICIAN WANTS TO START THE AIRBAG FIX BY REPLACING THE SENSOR UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT. EACH REPAIR WAS OVER $2,000 WITH MY GRAND TOTAL BEING JUST OVER $4,800 AND NO GUARANTEE THAT IT WILL BE SAFE TO DRIVE AT THAT POINT. I HAVE READ MULTIPLE OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT BOTH OF THESE ISSUES AND PEOPLE WITH UNDER 60,000 MILES DEALING WITH $2,000+ DOLLAR REPAIRS. IF THE STEERING GOES OUT, IT HAS CAUSED ACCIDENTS. THAT COUPLED WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHT, WHICH NOTIFIES THE WHOLE AIRBAG SYSTEM HAS BEEN DISABLED, MAKES THIS CAR TOTALLY UNSAFE TO OPERATE. EVEN OUT OF THEIR WARRANTY PERIOF NOW, THESE WERE REPORTED ISSUES THAT I WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF WHEN THE CAR WAS PURCHASED USED IN 2013. I CONTACTED THE CORPORATE OFFICE AND MADE MY COMPLAINT. WHEN I RECEIVED A CALLBACK, I WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE MY CAR IS OVER THE MILEAGE WARRANTY AND THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS, NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO HELP ME. THE $4,800+ REPAIR BILL IS MINE AND MINE ALONE.
NHTSA complaint #11265666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 133,000 milesWest Valley City, UT
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG LIGHT ON DASH CAME ON AND WON'T SHUT OFF. AIRBAGS WON'T DEPLOY EVEN IN A CRASH WITH THIS LIGHT ON.
NHTSA complaint #11241532 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,000 milesNewnan, GACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING FRONT END CRASH AT 35-40 MPH
NHTSA complaint #11218783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 180,000 milesLAS Vegas, NVCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AND THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED A SECOND VEHICLE BEFORE CRASHING INTO A UTILITY POLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED CHEST AND NECK INJURIES AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT HAND AND HEAD. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
NHTSA complaint #11142430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 56,000 milesLawrence, KS
AIR BAGS
REQUEST EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR AIRBAG LIGHT THAT CONTINUALLY STAYS ON. REQUEST EXTENDED WARRANTY AND FREE DIAGNOSTIC CHECK AND CHECK OF CLOCK TIMER.
NHTSA complaint #11121000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
AIR BAGS
"TAKATA RECALL" TODAY 9/25/17, I TOOK MY CAR TO MY MECHANIC BECAUSE THE HORN DOES NOT WORK. I WAS TOLD THAT THE PAD IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHERE THE AIRBAG IS. IT IS NOT MAKING CONTACT TO MAKE THE HORN WORK. HE STATED THAT IT WAS A DEFECT FROM THE FACTORY. I NEVER GOT A RECALL NOTICE OF THERE BEING A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG. THE MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO TEST THE HORN UNDER THE HOOD OF CAR, HOWEVER WHENEVER I NEED TO BLOW THE HORN IT DOES NOT WORK.
NHTSA complaint #11025491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesSAN Marcos, CA
AIR BAGS
AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 15 MINUTES WITH MY KIDS IN THE BACK I PARKED MY CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY, TURNED BODY TO GET SOMETHING OUT CENTER CONSOLE, ENGINE WAS OFF KEYS WHERE IN MY HAND AND THE STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG DEPLOYS.
NHTSA complaint #11016354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pocono Summit, PA
AIR BAGS
THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAY ON NOT WORKING
NHTSA complaint #11013694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 83,000 milesShelby, MS
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE, AIR BAG, AND ADDITIONAL UNSPECIFIED WARNING INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED FOR AN APPOINTMENT WITH A DEALER TO INSPECT AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
NHTSA complaint #10933654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Enon, OH
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG LIGHTS CONSTANTLY ON. CLOCK SPRING ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10910741 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 28,453 milesLevittown, PACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER, THIS VEHICLE RAN INTO THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 40MPH AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. WHY? THE DRIVER OF THIS VEHICLE WAS SLAMMED INTO THE STEERING WITH SUCH VIOLENT FORCE, HER STERNUM WAS FRACTURED AND HER HEART MUSCLE BRUISED. HYUNDAI DOES NOT APPEAR ON THE TAKATA RECALL LIST. WHOM DOES HYUNDAI UTILIZE FOR ITS AIRBAGS?
NHTSA complaint #10865229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 59,000 milesYonkers, NY
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG LIGHT TURNED ON WHILE DRIVING ON ROUGH ROAD ON HWY APPX. 59K MILES. HAD PASSENGER IN CAR APPX 200 LBS. TOOK TO DEALER AT 60,500 MILES. IS EITHER A FAULTY SEAT BRACKET $2500+ TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT OR DAMAGED SRS MODULE $1000+, OR POSSIBLY BOTH. DEALER RECOMMENDS BRING CAR IN FOR ADDITIONAL DIAGNOSTIC TO REMOVE SEAT AN CENTER CONSOLE $300+ IN LABOR JUST FOR THAT. MY WARRANTY CONVENIENTLY EXPIRED AT 60K. DEALER COULD NOT GUARANTEE A 500 MILE EXTENSION TO MY WARRANTY SO I WILL NOT BE PROCEEDING WITH REPAIRS. THIS IS AN UNACCEPTABLE PRACTICE FROM HYUNDAI, I DID NOTHING WRONG TO MY CAR, THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #10863727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 63,000 milesLOS Angeles, CACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 13 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND STUCK TO THE FLOORBOARD AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE VEHICLE CROSSED OPPOSITE LANES AND CRASHED THROUGH A GATE AND INTO A HOUSE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED LONG AFTER THE CRASH OCCURRED. THE CONTACT WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS MOMENTARILY AND RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THREE MONTHS LATER, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 13V113000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AND 15V1000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REQUESTED INFORMATION TO INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 63,000.
NHTSA complaint #10854933 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 98,445 milesHackleburg, AL
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,445.
NHTSA complaint #10850068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 112,099 milesColumbia, MDCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS
AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION. ANOTHER DRIVER WAS TRAVELLING TOO FAST ON SNOW AND SLID INTO MY LANE WHILE I WAS TRAVELING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. HIS AIRBAG DEPLOYED, MINE DID NOT. THIS WAS A 6 AIRBAG SYSTEM, WITH NO PASSENGERS IN CAR. I NEED ASSISTANCE PULLING OUT THE EVENT DATA RECORDER AND CRASH DATA BEFORE THIS CAR IS SALVAGED SO WE CAN GET HYUNDAI TO RECALL THIS SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10837593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 73,070 milesGranada Hills, CACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
SITTING IN TRAFFIC ON 405 FREEWAY NEAR EXIT 52 GOING SOUTH TO WORK WHEN I WAS REAR-ENDED BY A 2013 NISSAN. BACK AND FRONT OF CAR FOLDED UP, I WAS EJECTED FROM THE SEAT BELT (OPENED UP AND FLEW INTO PASSENGER SEAT) AND NOT ONE AIR BAG OPENED. I COULD NOT MOVE, MY FOOT WAS FRACTURED, STOMACH HURT, NECK, BACK AND ARMS IN PAIN. CHP ON THE SCENE. CAR THAT RAN INTO THE BACK OF ME PUSHED ME INTO A LARGE TRUCK AND PUSHED THE TRUCK INTO A CAR. 4-CAR ACCIDENT. CAR HAS BEEN TOTALED AND I AM REPORTING THE FAILURE AND DEFECT WITH THE SEAT BELTS AND AIR BAGS. MA 10/5 UPDATED 11/06/2017
NHTSA complaint #10731836 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesWashington CH, OHCrash
AIR BAGS
I WAS DRIVING MY HYUNDAI 2010 I HIT A PARKED CAR DRIVING ABOUT 35MPH NONE OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED
NHTSA complaint #10726294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesBurke, VACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON A SLIPPERY ROAD, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA complaint #10664395 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mooresville, NCCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, DRIVER/OCCUPANT SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE AND DEBILITATING SPINAL INJURY........UPDATED 12/15/15 *BF *TR UPDATED 9/8/2017
NHTSA complaint #10664093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.