TireKick

Reported years

Airbags owner reports: Hyundai Elantra years in the records

Owner reports are bound to model year 2020. A year on this list does not mean every car has the problem.

Years we reviewed

What to inspect

  1. 1Ask the inspector to test the named system and note any warning lights, noises, leaks, or stored codes.
Sources and limits
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“A CAR DARTED INTO MY LANE AT 90 DEGREES. MY RENTAL CAR RIGHT CORNER ENDED UP AGAINST THE OTHER CAR'S LEFT FENDER. THE DRIVER AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY BUT DID START TO INFLATE. A LOT OF DARK GRAY SMOKE ISSUED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN FOR A LONG TIME AFTER THE BAG STARTED TO DEPLOY. THE BAG COVER APPEARED TO EXTEND ABOUT 6" FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE SIDES LOOKED PLEATED, LIKE AN ACCORDION BELLOWS. ALSO SOMETHING HAPPENED UNDER THE DASH AROUND THE PEDALS. I SAW A RECTANGULAR LIGHT COLORED AREA 4-9' TALL AND 10-20" WIDE AS IF A PANEL HAD BLOWN OFF A LOWER AIRBAG BUT NO INFLATION OCCURRED THERE AT ALL. JAN. 22, 2020 ON BON AIR RD, KENTFIELD. NOT SURE IF I WAS ABLE TO BRAKE. PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT. RENTAL COMPANY ASKED THAT THE CAR BE TOWED TO A BODY SHOP.”
NHTSAcomplaintFeb 2020Open source record
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“On [XXX] at about 1:40 p.m. I was driving to work, and got distracted and had a front-end collision with a tree that was about 1-3 feet next to the side of the road. Extensive damage to the vehicle, and personal injuries occurred (mild concussion, stress fracture of left forearm, bruising/abrasion on ride side torso, sprained left thumb, and abrasions on head). Both the driver and passenger airbags did not deploy which contributed to me almost flying through the windshield. The emergency responders and tow truck operator were very surprised I wasn't in critical condition or dead and noted that the airbags failing was a serious issue and I was lucky. This was reported to the manufacturer and geico insurance on December 20th, and I am currently awaiting to hear back from both to get the inspections scheduled. The vehicle is currently located at OC's Auto at 598 Armistead Blvd, Holt FL 32564. I have already signed papers giving permission for inspections by the insurance company if they request it, but currently inspections haven't been done yet to determine damage estimates or to investigate the airbags. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”
NHTSAcomplaintDec 2024Open source record
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“On May 2, 2021 I was involved in a hit and run accident. An individual in a pickup ran a red light and t-boned my car on the driver side. No air bags deployed. I was taken to the hospital with a severe concussion.”
NHTSAcomplaintJun 2021Open source record