RoadVitals

2004 Hyundai Elantra Airbags Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the airbag system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Airbags reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
114
Latest Jun 14, 2019
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
63%
of 182 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
22
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
22

What this page shows

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2004 Hyundai Elantra submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 114 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming airbag

The 25 most recent of 114, in the owner's own words

Airbags
Filed Jun 14, 2019
Crash reported1 injury reported

VEHICLE 2004 HYUNDAI INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT ON THE STREET, THIS VEHICLE OWNER WAS BELTED WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED, THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, THIS VEHICLE OWNER SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES INCLUDING FRACTURED VERTEBRATE OF LUMBAR 1 AND 2 AND FRACTURED RIBS, NOTE NO OTHER VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED, THIS VEHICLE OWNER SIDE SWIPED A TREE AND SUSTAINED MINIMAL DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END, THIS VEHICLE OWNER WAS TREATED AT THE SCENE, TRANSPORTED TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM WAS HOSPITALIZED FOR 7 DAYS; CURRENTLY, RECEIVING OUT PATIENT CARE WITH SCHEDULED MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS, THIS VEHICLE OWNER IS NOT CLEARED TO RETURN TO WORK AT THIS TIME, AND FOR AT LEAST 9 WEEKS. THE FAULTY AIRBAGS FAILED TO KEEP THIS DRIVER SAFE, AND SEVERELY INJURED HIM. HE SUFFERED 2 BROKEN BACK BONES, A BROKEN RIB, SCRAPES AND BRUISES. ON TOP OF THE PHYSICAL TRAUMA, HE AND HIS FAMILY, WIFE AND TWO DAUGHTERS, ARE SUFFERING FROM EMOTIONAL TRAUMA. THE ACCIDENT IN ITSELF, SHOULD NOT HAVE CAUSED THIS PHYSICAL TRAUMA, THE CAR DID NOT FLIP, TURN OVER, OR IMPACT ANY OTHER VEHICLES. THE DRIVER WAS NOT ON A HIGHWAY, BUT A COMMON STREET, SO HE WAS NOT TRAVELING OVER 40 MPH. THE INJURIES SUSTAINED ARE A DIRECT RESULT OF THE FAULTY AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.

NHTSA ID
11220188
Incident
Jun 3, 2019
Mileage
150,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 26, 2019

SRS (AIRBAG) SERVICE REMINDER INDICATOR CAME ON. I WENT TO AN AUTO PARTS STORE AND THEY RAN AN OBDII REPORT ON A BOSCH SCANNER. A B1448 OC (OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION) - PASSENGER SENSOR MAT DEFECT CAME BACK. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT THE 2006-2008 HYUNDAI SONATAS HAVE A RECALL ON. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR, TO DETECT A CHILD SEAT OR ADULT IN THE SEAT, MAY RECOGNIZE A SMALL ADULT AS A CHILD SEAT. IF THIS HAPPENS AND THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG IS DEACTIVATED, THE RISK OF INJURY IN A CRASH MAY BE INCREASED. I WENT TO HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA HEADQUARTERS IN FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CALIFORNIA AT 3:45 ON JANUARY 17, 2019 AND LEFT MY CONTACT INFORMATION ON A CARD AT THE FRONT DESK REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD BE CONTACTED BUT TO DATE HAVE HAD NO REPLY FROM HMA. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V161000 AS THIS PRESENTS THE SAME DANGER TO ELANTRA OCCUPANTS AS THE SONATA RECALL, HYUNDAI SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO OFFER THE SAME REPAIR EXTENSION (15 YEARS) AS THE SONATA HAS.

NHTSA ID
11182497
Incident
Jan 13, 2019
Mileage
137,000 mi
AirbagsInterior & seatsSeat belts
Filed Jun 25, 2018

I HAVE CONTACTED CUSTOMER CARE AND WAS TOLD IT'S STANDARD TO REMOVE A FRONT SEAT AND GIVE THE CAR BACK UNTIL THEY GET PARTS FOR THE RECALL I FEEL THIS COULD CAUSE AIR BAG SYSTEMS NOT TO BE ACTIVE AND ALSO WITHOUT THE SEAT THE CARS ABILITY TO HOLD UP IN A CRASH IS REDUCED DUE TO MISSING COMPONENTS THAT PROVIDE SOME STRUCTURAL SUPPORT ALL I HAVE REQUESTED WAS A RENTAL CAR FOR THE TIME IT TAKES TO PERFORM MY RECALL AS I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING A CAR WITHOUT A FRONT SEAT I HAVE HAD THE DEALER DECLINE MY REQUEST AND SAID IF I WANT IT DONE THE SEAT WILL BE REMOVED AND THE CAR GIVEN BACK TO ME IS THIS A SAFE PRACTICE FOR A DEALER TO REMOVE A SEAT THAT HAS ONE OF THE SIDE AIR BAGS IN IT AND ADVISE THE OWNER TO DRIVE THE CAR AS NORMAL? ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THIS COMPANY WILL BE MUCH APPRECIATED AND TO BE CLEAR THERE IS A ACTIVE AIR BAG LIGHT ON WITH A CODE THE RELATES TO OCCUPANCY DETECTION FOR PASSANGER FRONT AND SIDE AIR BAGS

NHTSA ID
11103705
Incident
Apr 19, 2018
Mileage
154,216 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 1, 2018

MY 2004 ELANTRA GLS HAS THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS: 1 - THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF SIGN STAYS ON, EVEN WITH MY WIFE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. 2 - THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON MY DASHBOARD IS ALWAYS ON, AND MY HORN IS NOT WORKING, FOR THE LAST TWO / THREE WEEKS (NOV / DEC 2017).

NHTSA ID
11057833
Incident
Nov 1, 2017
Mileage
145,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 13, 2017

I WENT TO GET A SAFETY CHECK AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I COULDN'T GET IT BECAUSE MY AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON. I LIVE ON A ISOLATED ISLAND THAT DOESN'T HAVE A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AND THE CAR DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR ISN'T GIVING ME A CALL BACK WHILE IN THE MEAN TIME I AM RIDING AROUND WITH A EXPIRED SAFETY CHECK AND IS FEARFUL OF GETTING CITED.

NHTSA ID
11045790
Incident
Oct 25, 2017
Airbags
Filed Nov 1, 2017

AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON. THIS CAR SHOULD BE UNDER THE 15 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE HYUNDAI DEALER WILL NOT LOOK AT THE CAR WITHOUT A FEE.

NHTSA ID
11042049
Incident
Sep 8, 2017
Airbags
Filed May 30, 2017

WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF ON PASSENGER SIDE WHILE IN MOTION

NHTSA ID
10992314
Incident
Jan 1, 2004
Mileage
5 mi
Airbags
Filed May 23, 2017

I WAS TAKING MY DAD TO CHURCH ON SUNDAY HE SAT ON SEAT. I NOTICE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF INDICATOR DID NOT GO OFF . THE CAR WAS DRIVEN IN CITY AND ON HIGHWAY THANK GOD AIR BAGS WERE NOT NEEDED AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON DASH LATER THAT DAY . I CALLED BROADWAY HYUNDAI ON MONDAY THEY SAID IF AIR BAG LIGHT ON DASH WAS ON AIRBAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY. I TOOK CAR IN TO BROADWAY THEY TOLD ME AIRBAG SENSOR ON PASSENGER SEAT WAS SEVERED AND PART WOULD BE 1600.00 TO REPAIR. LATER THEY CALLED BACK AND SAID THEY COULD BUT USED SEAT IN FOR 297.32. I DIDN'T LIKE THAT BECAUSE SAME THING COULD HAPPEN AGAIN, BUT COULD NOR AFFORD 1600.00 FOR OME PART. I CALL HYUNDAI AND ASK THAT I SHOULD BE COMPENSATED FOR DANGER MY DAD AND MYSELF WERE PUT IN AND REINVESTED REPAIR. THIS IS POOR WORKMANSHIP HAVING SHARP METAL RAILS AND CLIPS OVER PLASTIC WIRE MEMBRANE. NOT HAPPY WITH USED SEAT SAME THING COULD HAPPEN AGAIN AND THIS PART COULD BE IN 1000 OF OTHER VEHICLE. A CASE WAS STARTED AND NO REPLY FOR HYUNDAI. A FAIR SETTLEMENT OF 1600.00 FOR CORRECT PART IF NEED IN FUTURE AND DANGER WE WERE PUT IN. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE CHECKED OUT THERE COULD 1000 OF THIS DANGER ON ROAD TODAY AND SOME PEOPLE MAY NOT TAKE AIRBAG LIGHT SERIOUSLY. SEE ATTACH PHOTO TAKE BY REPAIR TECHNICIAN JEFF

NHTSA ID
10991317
Incident
May 1, 2017
Mileage
15 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 29, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG OFF INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V322000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10899175
Incident
Aug 29, 2016
AirbagsSeat beltsSuspension
Filed Apr 8, 2016

"TAKATA RECALL " WELL I NEVER REALLY THOUGHT ABOUT VEHICLE RECALLS UNTIL THE DEATH OF A YOUNG GIRL AND A FEW OTHERS. MY CAR HAS PROBLEMS WITH IT WHEN I'M DRIVING TO WORK AT 4AM IN THE MORNING ABOUT 5 MILES THERE AND BACK AND ONE OF THE PROBLEMS IS MY AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON HAS BEEN ON FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS, MY SUSPENSION IS DANGEROUS AND MY SEAT BELT IS NOT SAFE BECAUSE IT SOME WHAT WORKS. I REALLY WANT TO BE SAFE AND I WANT MY FAMILY SAFE.

NHTSA ID
10854348
Incident
Feb 1, 2016
Mileage
17,102 mi
Airbags
Filed May 20, 2015

I NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON BACK IN MAY 2004. NOW THE LIGHT ON THE DRIVER AIR BAG IS ON AND THE PASSENGER LIGHT FOR THE AIR BAG IS OFF. I AM CONCERNRD THST NEITHER AIR BAGS ARE NOT WORKING. WHAT SHOULD I DO? THERE HAS BEEN NO INCIDENT SO I WILL JUST PUT APPROX. DATE OF THE AIR BAG LIGHTS.

NHTSA ID
10717460
Incident
May 1, 2014
Mileage
25,000 mi
Airbags
Filed May 17, 2015
Crash reported1 injury reported

HIT A TELEPHONE POLE GOING ABOUT 40MPH N THE AIRBAG WENT OFF ABOUT 5 SECONDS AFTER. MY NECK PAIN HAS GONE TO MY BACK AND HEAD N MY BODY IS BECOMING DEFORMED AND SHUTTING DOWN. I'M TRYING TO GET HELP BUT I GUESS I WAITED TOO LONG. I WAS INJURED N NEVER TREATED HOPING IT WOULD GO AWAY BUT IT DID NOT. THE AIRBAG WOULD HAVE DEFINITELY HELPED ME OUT! ALSO THIS WAS IN PENNSYLVANIA NOT OHIO.

NHTSA ID
10716916
Incident
Jan 20, 2012
Mileage
110,000 mi
Airbags
Filed May 9, 2015
Crash reported1 injury reported

THE VEHICLE WAS IMPACTED ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND "B" PILLAR SUFFICIENTLY TO SHATTER THE WINDOW, POP OPEN THE DOOR AND BEND THE B PILLAR. THE DOOR AND B PILLAR IMPACTED THE DRIVER BUT NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED......UPDATED 05-27-15 *BF

NHTSA ID
10715481
Incident
May 8, 2015
Mileage
120,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Apr 23, 2015

IT IS 2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA GT. THE CAR IS NEVER BEEN ANY ACCIDENT BUT THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON . THE SAME YEAR CAR HAS RECALL FOR AIRBAG LIGHT BUT NOT FOR THIS MODEL . I THINK HYUNDAI SHOULD RECALL THIS MODEL (2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA GT) AND FIX THE AIRBAG BEFORE ANY MAJOR ACCIDENT HAPPEN TO ANY OWNER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10712463
Incident
Apr 23, 2015
Mileage
48,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 9, 2015

THE AIR BAGS LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON MEANING THE MODULE IS NOT FUNCTIONING. I HAD THE CAR INSPECTED AND IT FAILED DUE TO THIS ISSUE. RECORDS SHOW A RECALL WAS REGISTERED IN 05. WELL HERE IT IS 10 YEARS LATER AND THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED AND SOMETHING OVERLOOKED. IT'S A SAFETY HAZARD REGARDING MY LIFE AND OTHERS AS WELL NOT KNOWING IF THESE AIR BAGS DEPLOY OR NOT WHILE I'M ON THE ROAD. I NEED THIS RESOLVED QUICKLY. THEY NEVER FIXED THE PROBLEM THE FIRST TIME SO WHY'S IT HAPPENING AGAIN? *TR

NHTSA ID
10682316
Incident
Jan 26, 2015
Mileage
64,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 22, 2015
Crash reported1 injury reported

CAR SLID ON SNOW HIT TREE AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH. NEITHER FRONT AIR BAG DEPLOYED!!!! PASSENGER HIT AND SHATTERED WINDSHIELD. DRIVER HIT STEERING WHEEL. CAR TOTAL LOSS!!!!.....UPDATED 02-03-15 *BF

NHTSA ID
10678222
Incident
Jan 16, 2015
Mileage
82,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 13, 2015
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE VEHICLE SKIDDED AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THE CONTACT DID NOT DISCLOSE IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OR NOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10672062
Incident
Jan 12, 2015
Mileage
131,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structureEngine+1 more
Filed Mar 29, 2014
Crash reported

FROM STOP SIGN PROCEEDED TO CROSS INTERSECTION, WAS STRUCK ON FRONT END OF DRIVERS SIDE PANEL AND BUMPER, SPUN AROUND AND HIT AGAIN ON DRIVER BACK SIDE PANEL AND REAR WHEEL, RIPPED HALF OF THE FRONT BUMPER AND CRUSHED DRIVERS FRONT SIDE AGAINST ENGINE , NO AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10575486
Incident
Mar 28, 2014
Mileage
99,597 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 2, 2012
Crash reported1 injury reported

THE ELANTRA WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND WHEN IN THE INTERSECTION WAS T-BONED BY A TRACTOR TAILOR WHO RAN THE RED LIGHT AT EST 25 MPH. THE IMPACT SPUN THE CAR 180+ DEGREES, LIGHTLY CLIPPING A TELEPHONE POLE AND HIT BACK INTO THE TRUCK WHERE THE CAR STOPPED. THE SIDE IMPACT AIRBAGS NOR FRONTAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE SEAT BELT DID LOCK AND THE INJURIES WERE WHIP LASH, CONCUSSION, AND CUTS AND CONTUSIONS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10469028
Incident
Jun 14, 2012
Mileage
96,681 mi
Airbags
Filed Apr 8, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE AIR BAG DEACTIVATION LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHENEVER SOMEONE WAS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT A DIAGNOSTIC TEST NEEDED TO BE PERFORMED. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V395000 (AIR BAGS) AND PREVIOUSLY HAD RECALL REPAIRS PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

NHTSA ID
10395274
Incident
Nov 2, 2009
Mileage
72,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Apr 1, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE CONTINUOUSLY UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER YET THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10393970
Incident
Jan 1, 2010
Mileage
50,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 3, 2011

I OWN A 2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA GLS (US VERSION). I GOT THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON FROM THE 60K MILES. NOW THE "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" LIGHT DOESN'T LIT REGARDLESS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT IS SOMEONE SEATED OR NOT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10373926
Incident
Aug 1, 2009
Mileage
60,000 mi
AirbagsDriver assistance
Filed Nov 23, 2010

I WAS DRIVING WITH MY CRUISE CONTROL ON AND A CAR STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME. I HIT THE BRAKES AND MY CAR ACCELERATED. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES AND THE CAR STOPPED. ALSO THE AIR BAG LIGHT DOES NOT GO OFF WITH AN ADULT IN THE FRONT SEAT. THIS IS VERY CONCERNING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10367286
Incident
Nov 23, 2010
Mileage
62,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 25, 2010
Crash reported2 injuries reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING AND FAILING TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN, THE CONTACT T-BONED ANOTHER VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO IT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE TWO PEOPLE INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO SENT SOMEONE OUT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.

NHTSA ID
10362342
Incident
Sep 12, 2010
Mileage
60,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 22, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN TURN OFF. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. SHE STATED THAT THE AIR BAG REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHEN SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED HER THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST WAS $500. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000. UPDATED 03/24/11*LJ UPDATED 03/31/11

NHTSA ID
10344663
Incident
Jul 6, 2009
Mileage
52,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .