RoadVitals

2018 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.
12
Latest Aug 3, 2026
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.
4%
of 280 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.
6
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
3

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 2018 Hyundai Elantra submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 12 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

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

AirbagsEngine
Filed Aug 3, 2026

On July 13, 2026, my engine light came on and I don't understand why. My oil change was update and not sure what else can be wrong. So, I went to AutoZone so that can do a diagnostic and they gave me a printout of the problem. Took the vehicle to the shop gave him the printout from AutoZone so that he will know what the problem is. Brought the part and that didn't take the engine light off and I paid $300 for nothing because I am still experiencing the issue. I took it back to the shop and the guy said that I need to replace my engine. I have had the car for about three years and not understanding why the engine needs to be replaced already. Then the passenger seat belt light keeps going off when there's no one sitting in the seat. I think there's a problem with the engine and my seatbelt light, but there's a recall on the vehicle. I replaced the air filter like it was suggest to me the car dealer where I purchase the car from. So, I did that and the car is running a little loud at times.

NHTSA ID
11754355
Incident
Jul 13, 2026
Airbags
Filed Nov 20, 2024
Crash reported1 injury reported

I was in a car accident. I was hit on the passenger rear side and the car spun out of control but none of the airbags deployed. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer but we did reach out to them and are in the process of filling out a questionnaire. The vehicle is currently being assessed in a body shop as we work with the insurance to see the final damages.

NHTSA ID
11626528
Incident
Oct 23, 2024
Airbags
Filed Oct 24, 2024

Driver airbag light came on. My car has 33,000 miles on it. I live in California and the car is garaged. I think the maker has had airbag recalls on other models

NHTSA ID
11621744
Incident
Sep 1, 2024
AirbagsEngine
Filed Mar 2, 2024

I got this car like 5 months ago and after driving it for 2 months I had to get a new engine for 4500 dollars. There is no way it can go bad in 2 months. The car only had 52,000 miles on it and it went bad when it reached 54,000 miles. After fixing that it went bad again after 4 months. I was also told that Hyundai Elantras are known for their engine problems. It would be great if there is an engine recall on this car. I am not trying to sell this car but I was this car to be fixed. Thank you!

NHTSA ID
11575007
Incident
Feb 22, 2024
Airbags
Filed Feb 18, 2024

I brought my car from Landmark ford in Springfield Illinois [XXX]. I had the car a week and the airbag sensor came on. I took the car to the dealership and told them that this light came on and I only had the car for a week. I told them I believe they erased and reprogrammed the codes, and they knew this car had an airbag defect. I also told them. that they put my life at risk because if something had of happened to me and the airbag didn't work. I should have never drove off this lot with that car it's considered a safety requirements before being sold or operated on public roads. They were rude didn't want to communicate with me or help me with the situation I felt because I was a young woman 24. They kept my car to look at after 2 days I called no answer left a message no call back. I went up there next with my dad and then they wanted to talk. My dad told them my daughter could have been hurt and she was not suppose to leave off this lot this is a serious safety issue. He then told them they reprogrammed and erased the codes. My dad then said we are making a complaint and we were leaving. They refused to let me leave and take my car they lost my keys didn't find it until an hour later and said you can't leave the car is a safety hazard and we don't want to be responsible. To my knowledge I thought they were going to fix the car they told me they will drive it to Green Hyundai but they didn't and I go back up there I had to pay to get the car towed. Now Green Hyundai is having problems with Landmark Ford saying they want answer or call back. I haven't even had my car a month drove it a week and can't no longer drive a new car because its not safe and they refuse to fix this issue after a week purchasing a car. I ask to put me in a car without a safe car to drive off the lot with. They said we will take it to Green Hyundai only to give them the runaround's. I'm frustrated and lost my job because of no Transportation. the situation is not resolved. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFO

NHTSA ID
11572569
Incident
Jan 28, 2024
AirbagsEngineSeat belts
Filed Aug 29, 2023

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the seat belt was inoperable. The contact stated that the air bag was falling out of the air bag enclosure. The vehicle failed to start immediately but was started after several attempts. The air bag and seat belt warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the battery terminal posts were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who tightened the battery post. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.

NHTSA ID
11541387
Incident
Jul 21, 2023
Mileage
46,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 2, 2023
Crash reported

Was involved in accident on interstate. The car in front of me began decelerating and as a result, I did the same. The car behind me crashed into me at high speed and pushed me into the car in front. (3 cars involved total). The front and rear ends of my car were completely crushed to the point where the drivers door will not open more than about a foot. At no point did my airbags deploy. My car is serviced regularly and no warning lights were on. I was not injured but am extremely lucky that this was the case. A police report was filed.

NHTSA ID
11529995
Incident
Jul 1, 2023
Airbags
Filed Nov 4, 2022
Crash reported

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the contact crashed into a deer causing severe damage to the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 163,000.

NHTSA ID
11492236
Incident
Nov 4, 2022
Mileage
163,000 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Apr 28, 2022

The air bag warning light randomly comes on disabling the air bags. It seems to turn on when the passenger seat gets moved forward or backward fast. In looking into this, it would appear Hyundais over the years have had this issue. It turns off sometimes when some one sits in the seat.

NHTSA ID
11462548
Incident
Apr 28, 2022
Airbags
Filed Dec 27, 2021
Crash reported

When I first purchase the car It was stated that i had no issues, I have records stating this. Also, I was having tremendous issues with the tires. Four months later I encountered an car accident. I was getting off of an exit and as I was getting off there was a car in the middle of the street that was broken down with no hazardous lights on. I suspected that the car was moving but it was not. As I am braking I was somewhat too close to the car and I ended up hitting the back of the car. At this time, the air bags did not deploy. Once the car was evaluated by the insurance company the car was considered totaled. The insurance company took the car to a salvage. This could have taken my life.

NHTSA ID
11445043
Incident
Jul 2, 2021
Airbags
Filed Dec 22, 2021
Crash reported1 injury reported

Had a car accident, airbags did not deploy but the airbag light was on. Insurance inspector said they inflated but did not come out of their housing. The airbags did not deploy upon impact. I attached pictures of the accident to show the airbags did not deploy.

NHTSA ID
11444671
Incident
Dec 22, 2021
Airbags
Filed Apr 18, 2019
Crash reported1 injury reported

VEHICLE HAD THE RIGHT AWAY AND WAS GOING STRAIGHT AND ANOTHER VEHICLE ROLLED A STOP AND BOTH CARS INTERSECTED.

NHTSA ID
11197193
Incident
Apr 18, 2019
Mileage
15,500 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 .