2011 Hyundai Elantra Airbags Problems

Vehicle: 2011 Hyundai Elantra Touring Date of Crash: [XXX] Location of Crash: Duluth, MN Description of Incident: I was driving my 2011 Hyundai Elantra Touring straight through an intersection when another driver ran a stop sign and T‑boned the passenger side of my vehicle. The impact was severe enough that the vehicle was totaled, with significant structural intrusion into the passenger compartment. No airbags (side torso or curtain) deployed, although the strike was a direct side impact at approximately 30+ mph. I expected at least the side curtain or side torso airbags to deploy. My insurance adjuster noted that the lack of deployment was unexpected given the severity and nature of the crash. Outcome: Vehicle declared totaled No airbags deployed No serious injuries, but a significant safety concern INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11710538

Incident

Dec 31, 2025

Air bag fault light is on.

NHTSA ID

11599307

Incident

Jul 3, 2024

On October 1, 2023, I started my vehicle in the driveway to having the red airbag warning light appear as a dashboard symbol. No accidents have occurred. I do not see any recalls on this issue. I’ll be visiting the Hyundai dealership today- October 3, 2023.

NHTSA ID

11547925

Incident

Oct 1, 2023

As the driver in a front end crash, my driver side airbag did not deploy. There was heavy front end damage and the car was unrepairable due to the front end damage. There was no prior indication that the airbag(s) were not working properly. The collision center where the car was towed was also surprised that there was no air bag deployment.

NHTSA ID

11536226

Incident

Jul 25, 2023

The power steering stopped working while driving in 2019. The steering wheel jolted 1-2", the EPS light blinked and then remained lit. Maintaining control of the vehicle was strenuous, making it impossible to quickly maneuver, especially at low speeds. Safety of the driver and others on the roadways was negatively impacted by the sudden malfunction. The power steering became intermittent while driving, then completely failed. The vehicle was serviced by a Hyundai dealer/service department for diagnostics, but a diagnosis was inconclusive. To remedy, it was recommended to replace the power steering module. This was done, and it provided temporary resolution. Power steering suddenly became intermittent again. Another diagnostic appointment suggested to replace the entire steering column. This has not been done. There was no warning that the power steering would fail. The vehicle is available for power steering inspection upon request. Electronic issues are persistent, effecting multiple areas of the vehicle. The headlights and taillights have gone out much more frequently than expected. The airbag sensor light has recently illuminated. The Tire pressure sensor blinks, then remains illuminated. The Electronic Stability Control Indicator has been illuminated since the power steering failure. This vehicle has had multiple issues arise, and it has had thousands of dollars of work put into it in an attempt to return it to a safely driving vehicle. It is unacceptable for the manufacturer to sell a car that cannot uphold basic safety standards. There have been multiple recalls for power steering issues on Hyundai's surrounding this 2011 model. Clearly there is an issue that needs to be addressed, and Hyundai needs to be held accountable for their negligence. All owners should be entitled to have their vehicle promptly repaired at no cost, and they should be reimbursed for time and repair costs spent trying to resolve this avoidable issue.

NHTSA ID

11520103

Incident

Jul 1, 2019

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had not yet been taken to an independent mechanic or local dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 102,700.

NHTSA ID

11510450

Incident

Sep 6, 2022

Mileage

102,700 mi

The air bag light on the dashboard came on and has stayed on. I got into my car in the morning as I do everyday, and the air bag light came on. The light goes out when I turn off the ignition. But the light stays on while the car is running and while I'm driving the car. This has been a problem for over a week. I haven't been involved in any accidents or incidents that led to the light coming on. And I haven't had any work done to the car that would cause this problem. I'm worried that the air bags won't deploy if I was involved in an accident. I see others all over the internet that have been having the same issue. The cost is prohibitive to have it checked and fixed. A recall should be issued. There's no reason that the air bag light should just come on and stay on. I would like Hyundai to cover the cost of checking and fixing this safety issue.

NHTSA ID

11493373

Incident

Nov 2, 2022

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the airbag warning light was illuminated. The contact called the local dealer who informed the contact about diagnostic testing. The contact declined the diagnostic fees. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

NHTSA ID

11438670

Incident

Sep 1, 2021

Mileage

150,000 mi

The airbag light goes on and off intermittently. I've not had any accidents or anything so I'm not sure why it's doing this. A lot of people are complaining about the same problem on blogs on the internet. I think this should be a recall and be fixed for free.

NHTSA ID

11424420

Incident

Jul 12, 2021

AIRBAG LIGHT ON

NHTSA ID

11396755

Incident

Feb 9, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO ACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE CLOCKSPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER EMPIRE HYUNDAI INC LOCATED AT 428 PLEASANT ST, FALL RIVER, MA 02721, (833) 345-8027, AND THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 99,400.

NHTSA ID

11361716

Incident

May 1, 2020

Mileage

99,400 mi

THERE WAS NO MAJOR OR MINOR INCIDENT THAT WOULD INDICATE AN ISSUE WITH THE AIRBAGS. AT ABOUT 07/10/20 I BEGAN TO NOTICE MY AIRBAG SERVICE LIGHT WOULD LIGHT UP AFTER A COUPLE MINUTES OF DRIVING INDICATING THE DRIVER SEAT AIRBAG WOULD BE INOPERABLE; HOWEVER, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT THAT TYPICALLY IS LIT "OFF" WOULD NOT BE LIT INDICATING THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WOULD BE CURRENTLY OPERATIONAL. IN ADDITION I NOTICED THAT WHEN I HAD A PASSENGER THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT ("OFF") WOULD NOT BE LIT AS DESIGNED AND MY DRIVER SEAT AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD NEVER TURN ON (INDICATING IT BEING NOT OPERATIONAL.) MOST RECENTLY, ON 07/25/20 I BEGAN TO NOTICE THAT THE DRIVER SEAT AIRBAG WOULD BE LIT FROM THE MOMENT I TURN ON THE ENGINE. IT REMAINS LIT FOR THE ENTIRETY OF THE DRIVE AND NOW THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SEAT WILL TURN ON OR OFF SPONTANEOUSLY AND HAVING A PASSENGER NO LONGER HAS AN EFFECT ON THE DRIVER SEAT AIRBAG LIGHT.

NHTSA ID

11341751

Incident

Jul 25, 2020

Mileage

120,000 mi

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AT WONT TURN OFF. SHOP SAID THE CLOCK SPRING HAS TO BE REPLACED OR THE AIRBAG WON'T DEPLOY IN A CRASH.

NHTSA ID

11340758

Incident

May 13, 2020

Mileage

131,000 mi

THE LIGHT APPEARED WITH NO APPARENT CAUSE. WHEN IT INITIALLY CAME ON, MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING DOWN A MAIN ROAD. IT TURNS ON THEN WILL GO AWAY, ONLY TO TURN ON AGAIN. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REQUESTED I COME IN FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AT $140, AND I WAS ASKED TO DROP THE VEHICLE OFF. ALSO, THIS WOULD ONLY BE FOR THE TEST AND I WOULD BE CHARGED TO FIX THE PROBLEM ONCE DISCOVERED. THIS IS INCONVENIENT AS I HAVE 2 SMALL CHILDREN AND ONLY ONE VEHICLE. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY I AM BEING CHARGED FOR SOMETHING THAT IS A SAFETY ISSUE, ESPECIALLY WHEN I HAVE NO ACCIDENTS.

NHTSA ID

11331480

Incident

Jun 27, 2020

Mileage

127,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD GOING 55 MPH AND MY AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I DIDN'T HIT ANY LARGE BUMPS. IT COMES ON FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THEN TURNS OFF. *TR

NHTSA ID

11329773

Incident

Jun 13, 2020

Mileage

122,350 mi

I DIDN'T NOTICE EXACTLY WHEN HAPPENED, BUT BASICALLY THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND IT HASN'T LEFT. MOST LIKELY THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING. *TR

NHTSA ID

11328668

Incident

Jun 4, 2020

WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A NON-HIGHWAY STREET MY AIRBAG LIGHT TURNED ON. I WAS NOT TURNING, I DID NOT HIT ANY BUMPS, I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSED IT. THE LIGHT WILL STAY ON FOR A FEW MINUTES, THEN IT WILL SHUT OFF AND REPEAT. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR ABOUT 1 WEEK NOW. *TR

NHTSA ID

11327703

Incident

Jun 2, 2020

Mileage

120,028 mi

THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WILL NOT GO AWAY. I HAVE NOT GOTTEN INTO ACCIDENT NOR HAVE THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.

NHTSA ID

11306208

Incident

Jan 1, 2019

Mileage

100,000 mi

THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON! I'VE NEVER BEEN IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT OR A FENDER BENDER FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE.I CAN'T GET AN INSPECTION STICKER

NHTSA ID

11292245

Incident

Jun 30, 2019

Mileage

111,000 mi

AIR BAG LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY APPEARS AND GOES OFF ON THE DRIVER DASH.

NHTSA ID

11271307

Incident

Oct 11, 2019

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WHEN CAR IS STARTED AND STAYS ON EVEN WHILE STARTING TO DRIVE. IT MAY COME OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHILE CAR IS MOTION BUT MOSTLY REMAINS ON. (THE ONLY RECENT WORK ACCOMPLISHED WAS AN ALTERNATOR REPLACEMENT BY PROFESSIONAL MECHANIC A WEEK AND A HALF PRIOR.)

NHTSA ID

11266770

Incident

Oct 4, 2019

Mileage

90,050 mi

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYS ON AIR BAG PROBABLY WANT WORK AND THAT IS A SAFETY FEATURE

NHTSA ID

11243801

Incident

Jan 20, 2019

Mileage

95,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT AND AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHED AS THE BRAKES HAD BEEN APPLIED HOWEVER, THE WHEELS SPUN UNEXPECTEDLY AND THE ENGINE POWER WAS REDUCED RESULTING INTO A CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS HAD NOT DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED NO INJURIES FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT SENT NOTIFICATION THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V871000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL) AS OF DECEMBER 21ST, 2015 SO THE OWNER WAS NOT AWARE. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN ABOVE MID 20 TO 5 MPH WITH A DRASTIC REDUCTION IN ENGINE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE LOCATION OF THE FAILURE AND PARKED BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED YET. THE VEHICLE WAS RENDERED UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN DUE TO THE FAILURE EXPERIENCED RELATED TO THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. * (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT) TS

NHTSA ID

11220632

Incident

Jun 12, 2019

THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF REGULARLY FOR SOME DAYS, THEN FINALLY IT STAYS ON PERMANENTLY. THE STEERING WHEEL LIGHTS DOESN'T COME ON WHEN I TURN ON THE HEADLIGHTS. THE CAR BOUNCES AND SWAY TO THE SIDE EACH TIME I HIT A POTHOLE NO MATTER HOW SMALL THE POTHOLE IS.

NHTSA ID

11206161

Incident

Nov 13, 2018

Mileage

134,000 mi

'TAKATA RECALL' (1) SUSPENSION PROBLEM.. IT DRIFTS OR BOUNCES TO ONE SIDE WHEN I HIT A BUMP OR WHEN I GO INTO A POTHOLE... I HAVE HAD TO TAKE IT TO DIFFERENT AUTO MECHANICS TO FIX THIS BUT HAVEN'T GOTTEN ANY SOLUTION.. CHANGED SWAY BAR LINKS, TIE-RODS, STRUTS AND BALL JOINTS, STILL NO IMPROVEMENT. (2) STEERING ISSUES - STEERING FEELS STIFF WHEN TURNING AND SOMETIMES MAKES FUNNY SOUNDS (3) CLUNKING NOISE IN FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF CAR

NHTSA ID

11184484

Incident

Aug 1, 2018

Mileage

110,000 mi