RoadVitals

2005 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.
71
Latest Nov 3, 2024
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.
52%
of 137 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.
23
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
20

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 2005 Hyundai Elantra submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 71 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 71, in the owner's own words

AirbagsPowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 3, 2024

The air bag light came on and it is staying on

NHTSA ID
11623311
Incident
Oct 5, 2024
Airbags
Filed Oct 7, 2022

The contact owns a 2005 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the air bag warning light illuminated intermittently. The contact was made aware of various recalls for similar vehicles. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in an air bag recall. The dealer was made aware of the failure and confirmed there was no active recalls on the vehicle for the air bags. The contact scheduled a service appointment for the vehicle to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.

NHTSA ID
11488414
Incident
Oct 1, 2021
Mileage
200,000 mi
AirbagsElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Apr 17, 2022

Passenger airbag sensor registers when someone sits down, but randomly turns off and displays “Passenger Airbag Off” light for a couple minutes before turning off again. Vehicle was inspected by an authorized Hyundai service center and no codes were produced. No indicated problems prior to the first incident.

NHTSA ID
11461088
Incident
Jul 15, 2021
Airbags
Filed Dec 5, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN USE, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. BEAVERTON HYUNDAI (13255 SW FARMINGTON RD, BEAVERTON, OR 97005, (877) 812-0866) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE CONTACT PURCHASED A SCANNER AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG OCS ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 166,000.

NHTSA ID
11287130
Incident
Oct 23, 2019
Mileage
166,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 22, 2019

I CALL A DEALER LAST YEAR (LEE HYUNDAI) FLORENCE, SC. AND WAS TOLD THAT IF I WANT TO HAVE IT FIXED THAT IT WOULD COST ME ABOUT 500 DOLLARS, I ALSO THOUGHT THAT I HAD MADE A REPORT WITH NHTSA BEFORE AND THEN WHEN IT CAME ON TV, IT WAS SAID THAT HYUNDAI WAS LIABLE FOR FIXING IT.

NHTSA ID
11270264
Incident
Jun 15, 2018
Airbags
Filed Jun 2, 2019

MY AIR BAG LIGHT WILL NOT GO AWAY

NHTSA ID
11217358
Incident
May 1, 2019
Airbags
Filed Sep 22, 2018

TALKED TO DEALER (HYUNDAI LEE), AND WAS TOLD RECALL WAS CLOSED AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAID TO HAVE FIXED. I BROUGHT THIS CAR FROM DEALER.

NHTSA ID
11130735
Incident
Sep 12, 2018
Airbags
Filed Aug 24, 2018

JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED AND THE AIR BAG DASHBOARD LIGHT WENT ON. THE DEALER CHARGED ME $140 TO DIAGNOSE INFORMING ME THAT THE SEAT SENSORS NEED REPLACEMENT ADDING THAT THE ENTIRE SEAT ASSEMBLY MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. I FEEL THIS IS A FAILURE OF HYUNDAI'S RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PLUS QUALITY CONTROL OF A MAJOR SAFETY SYSTEM DEVICE. ITS REPLACEMENT SHOULD BE FREE BASED ON THIS. AS A NOTE THE LIGHT COMES ON IMMEDIATELY AT START AND WHILE DRIVING, STAYS ON CONSTANTLY

NHTSA ID
11122043
Incident
Aug 17, 2018
Mileage
80,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 5, 2018

AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON AND I NEED SAFETY IN THE CAR,WONDERING IF RECALL HAS BEEN REPORTED

NHTSA ID
11076318
Incident
Mar 5, 2018
Mileage
77,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 25, 2017

PASSENGERS SEAT WAS CHECKED .FAULTY SENSOR IN SEAT .$1800. 00 TO FIX .CANT AFFORD TO FIX ON A FIXED INCOME

NHTSA ID
11048331
Incident
Jan 25, 2016
AirbagsInterior & seats
Filed Jul 27, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE OCS MAT FAILED AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTONATION HYUNDAI MALL OF GEORGIA (3445 BUFORD DR NE, BUFORD, GA 30519) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ID
11011135
Incident
Jul 15, 2016
Mileage
130,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 16, 2017

23,000 ORIGINAL MILES. NEVER INVOLVED IN A CRASH. FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT INDICATES AIR BAG OFF EVEN WITH AN ADULT PASSENGER SEATED AND BELTED IN THE SEAT. INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY, FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AT A TIME, WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE CONTINUOUSLY. HAPPENS ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAY DRIVING. CAUSE FOR SERIOUS CONCERN FOR SAFETY OF DRIVER AND PASSENGER OF THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
10955101
Incident
Feb 6, 2017
Mileage
22,850 mi
Airbags
Filed Sep 17, 2016

AIR BAG LIGHT KEEP ON COMING AND GOING OFF

NHTSA ID
10907399
Incident
Sep 6, 2016
Mileage
72,000 mi
Airbags
Filed May 26, 2016
Crash reported3 injuries reported

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH OR HIGHER, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW SHATTERED AND THE DOOR FRACTURED ON THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED NECK INJURIES, ARM PAINS, BRUISING TO THE HIPS, AND A PULLED MUSCLE IN THE RIGHT LEG. THE REAR PASSENGER SUSTAINED BRUISING TO THE LEFT EYE, HIP, AND HEAD. THE CHILD PASSENGER SUSTAINED WHIPLASH AND ABRASIONS TO THE ARM. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND PARKED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V395000 (AIR BAGS), BUT DID NOT RECEIVE NOTIFICATION OF THE RECALL REPAIR. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. UPDATED 07/27/16*LJ

NHTSA ID
10870948
Incident
May 24, 2016
Mileage
200,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 5, 2015

THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) INSTALLED IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT OF THE VEHICLE WILL NOT TURN OFF AND WILL NOT DETECT A PERSON IN THAT SEAT AND TURN THE "PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OFF" LIGHT OFF. THIS HAS BEEN A REOCCURRING PROBLEM IN OTHER HYUNDAI VEHICLES AND RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED. FOR SOME REASON, THE ELANTRA HAS NOT BEEN INCLUDED EVEN THOUGH IT USES THE SAME SYSTEM AND THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS. THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS ATTENTION..

NHTSA ID
10779843
Incident
Jun 15, 2015
Mileage
55,104 mi
Airbags
Filed May 13, 2015
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, A VEHICLE IN FRONT STALLED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO REAR END THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED CHEST INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THIS FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,500.

NHTSA ID
10716223
Incident
Dec 10, 2014
Mileage
16,500 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 15, 2015

AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON AT ANY SPEED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10694393
Incident
Mar 15, 2015
Mileage
122,769 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 3, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000. UPDATED 8/11/14*CN

NHTSA ID
10595889
Incident
Feb 14, 2014
Mileage
103,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 19, 2014

WHEN I DRIVE THE CAR WITH AN ADULT PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT THE INSTRUMENT LIGHT INDICATES THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS OFF. IT STAYS LIT FOR A FEW MILES, THEN GOES OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN. THIS KEEPS HAPPENING THROUGHOUT THE TRIP. *TR

NHTSA ID
10573449
Incident
Sep 6, 2006
Mileage
1,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 19, 2013
Crash reported1 injury reported

TOOK SHARP TURN RIGHT TO MISS A CAR THAT WAS HEADED FOR ME HIT A TELEPHONE POLE, NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. INJURIES INCLUDED CONCUSSION, WHIP LASH, BROKEN HAND, BRUISED RIBS, GLASS AND CUTS IN HEAD FROM WINDSHIELD, LIP WAS TORN IN HALF AND BRUISED, TWO DAY HOSPITAL STAY AND A TOTALED CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10552995
Incident
Nov 17, 2013
Mileage
112,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 4, 2013
Crash reported

THE HYUNDAI ELANTRA REAR ENDED ANOTHER CAR GOING APPROX. 30 MPH. THE DRIVER HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF THEM AT FULL SPEED, WITHOUT BRAKING. THE DRIVER DID NOT KNOW THE CAR IN FRONT OF THEM ABRUPTLY STOPPED, CAUSING THE ACCIDENT. THE DRIVER WAS THRUSTED FORWARD ON IMPACT INTO THE WINDSHIELD. THE DRIVER AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10546721
Incident
Oct 1, 2013
Mileage
145,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 10, 2013
Crash reported

I WAS DRIVING DOWN HWY I-45 SOUTH IN DALLAS, TX AND HIT BLACK ICE. THAT IS ICE THAT CANNOT BE SEEN ON THE ROAD. I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 50 TO 55 MPH. I HIT THE BRAKES AND HIT THE BACK OF A METAL TRAILER. THE WELDED MESH LANDSCAPER TRAILERS POPULAR IN DALLAS. IN OTHER WORDS I HIT A FLAT VERTICAL HARD SERVICE. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I TOLD HYUNDAI OF THE ISSUE AND THEY SENT OUT SOMEONE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THEY SENT A LETTER STATING "THE ELANTRA'S FRONTAL AIRBAGS ARE NOT INTENDED TO DEPLOY DURING EVERY IMPACT THAT IS GENERALLY DIRECTED AGAINST THE VEHICLE'S FRONT END." I AM CONFUSED, I THOUGHT A AIR BAG SHOULD WORK WITH ALL FRONT END IMPACTS AND COLLISIONS. WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE I DID NOT GET A DISCLAIMER STATING WHEN THE AIRBAG SHOULD WORK AND SHOULD NOT WITH A 50 MPH FRONT END COLLISION. I AM UPSET WITH THE WAY HYUNDAI IS RESPONDING. I DID NOT EXPECT A NEW CAR, ONLY FOR HYUNDAI TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10524261
Incident
Dec 24, 2012
Airbags
Filed Nov 8, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CONTINUOUSLY. THE MALFUNCTION WOULD OCCUR EVEN WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V395000 (AIR BAGS) BUT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED UNDER THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000. UPDATED 03/15/13*LJ

NHTSA ID
10483754
Incident
Jul 12, 2012
Mileage
77,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 22, 2012

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

NHTSA ID
10471939
Incident
Feb 15, 2012
Mileage
50,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 26, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW THE CAUSE OF THE DEFECTIVE AIR BAG BUT THE MECHANIC COULD NOT REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE MECHANIC NOTICE A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. NUMBER 05V395000 (AIR BAG) AND SUGGESTED THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE AIR BAG RECALL BUT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

NHTSA ID
10467791
Incident
Jul 25, 2012
Mileage
96,000 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.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .