2012 Hyundai Veloster airbag problems

AIR BAGS

On January 15, 2026, at approximately 7:51 a.m., my son was involved in a motor vehicle collision that disabled three vehicles. His vehicle sustained significant damage and was declared a total loss. During the collision, the driver-side airbag did not deploy, and the seat belt failed to engage. As a result of the restraint system failures, my son sustained head trauma and required medical evaluation. There were no prior warnings or indicator lights suggesting a malfunction of the airbag or seat belt systems prior to the crash. The failure of these safety systems raises concern about a potential defect that could pose a risk to other drivers. This complaint is submitted to document the incident and to request that it be reviewed for potential investigation or recall action in the interest of public safety.

NHTSA complaint #11712926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 HYUNDAI VELOSTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MERGE INTO A LANE AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BLEEDING ON THE FINGERS AND THE FOREHEAD, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,600.

NHTSA complaint #11055235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

HYUNDAI VELOSTER 2012 - TRAVELLING IN LEFT LANE OF DIVIDED 4 LANE HIGHWAY AT 65MPH, BRAKED AND SLIGHTLY VEERED TO LEFT SUDDENLY AS VEHICLE IN RIGHT LANE MOVED INTO LEFT LANE IN FRONT AT SLOWER RATE OF SPEED. WITH VERY LITTLE LEFT SHOULDER, VEHICLE WENT OFF THE ROAD INTO THE GRASSY DAMP MEDIAN. DUE TO LOSS OF TRACTION, WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL VEHICLE, HAD CHOICE OF HITTING TREES/CREEK OR CONCRETE BRIDGE SUPPORT. VEHICLE HIT BRIDGE SUPPORT STILL TRAVELING AT 45-65MPH HEAD ON, THEN SWUNG AROUND SO LEFT SIDE OF PASSENGER VEHICLE SCRAPED ON THE BRIDGE SUPPORT FROM FRONT BUMPER TO REAR SEAT. VEHICLE SUFFERED MAJOR DAMAGE TO FRONT END, TORE OFF MIRROR, DOOR HANDLE AND BROKE ALL GLASS ON LEFT SIDE. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ANYWHERE IN THE VEHICLE. DRIVER WAS STRUCK BY AN OBJECT IN VEHICLE CAUSING A SEVERE LACERATION ACROSS EYELID FROM NOSE, UP ACROSS EYEBROW. ABOUT 1.5" LONG, CUT TO BONE. SIDE WINDOW GLASS SHATTERED RESULTING IN SEVERAL PIECES EMBEDDING IN VARIOUS BODY PARTS AND MANY SHARP SLIVERS OF GLASS ALL OVER. HAD AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, PARTICULARLY THE STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG, WE FEEL THAT THE DRIVER MAY HAVE AVOIDED THE INJURY TO THE EYE WHICH WILL REQUIRE RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY TO REPAIR. WIPER WASHER STALK BROKE OFF FROM STEERING WHEEL WITH THE OUTER PORTION COMPLETELY COMING APART WITH A 2-3" PROTRUDING PLASTIC CORE WHICH WE BELIEVE CAUSED THE EYE INJURY DUE TO BLOOD ON THE ITEM. OTHER POSSIBILITY WOULD BE THE REARVIEW MIRROR. IN EITHER CASE WE FEEL THAT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT WOULD HAVE PREVENT FACE FROM CONTACTING EITHER OF THOSE ITEMS.

NHTSA complaint #10870407 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

ON FRIDAY OCTOBER 23 A DRUNK DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF HIS 2011 CAMARO CROSSED THE MEDIAN ON A CITY STREET AND BARRELED INTO MY SONS 2012 HYUNDAI VELOSTER. WHILE THE CAMARO AIR BAGS INFLATED, OUR VELOSTER DID NOT. ACCORDING TO HYUNDAI DIAGRAM THERE ARE TWO SENSORS IN THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE, NEITHER WORKED. THOUGH MY SON AND HIS PASSENGER WALKED AWAY, I AM CONCERNED THAT THESE SENSORS/AIR BAGS ARE DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO. OUR VEHICLE WAS PUSHED BACK SEVERAL FEET AFTER THE IMPACT AND THEY DID NOT DEPLOY. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THESE VEHICLES PROTECTING LIVES. ONE OF THE REASONS I BOUGHT THIS CAR WAS DUE THE MANY AIRBAGS. I AM DISAPPOINTED AND CONCERNED ABOUT THIS POSSIBLE DEFECT...UPDATED 12/11/15

NHTSA complaint #10786277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI VELOSTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE DRIVER AND FRONT SEAT PASSENGER BOTH SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY PLANNED TO CONDUCT AN INTENSIVE INVESTIGATION RELATED TO THE FAULTY AIR BAGS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,200.

NHTSA complaint #10494924 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI VELOSTER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, SHE CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT HER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THE CRASH. THE CONTACT INJURED HER NECK, BACK AND SUFFERED BRUISING FROM THE CRASH. THE POLICE TOOK THE REPORT AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED INTO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED BY A CLAIMS ADJUSTER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 5300. UPDATED 9/26/12 *CN UPDATED 9/27/12

NHTSA complaint #10471652 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI VELOSTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, SHE CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THE CRASH. THE CONTACT INJURED HER NECK, BACK, AND SUFFERED BRUISING FROM THE CRASH. THE POLICE TOOK AND REPORT AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 5,300.

NHTSA complaint #10465396 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.