2003 Hyundai Sonata Airbags Problems

Airbag light came on and stays on. Pulled a code that pointed to the wiring in the passenger seat. Moved wiring around and made sure connectors were properly plugged and the light went away for maybe a week. Light is back on again. Removed seat bolts to gain better access, used tubing and electrical tape to straighten any kinked wiring I could find underneath passenger front seat, disconnected and reconnected connections. Airbag light blinked once and still remains on with the code still pointing to the passenger seat wiring. Apparently this issue has been reported many times in online forums with no meaningful response from the company though this clearly affects proper airbag deployment.

NHTSA ID

11421937

Incident

Jun 22, 2021

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON. WHEN RESET THE LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN.

NHTSA ID

11204762

Incident

Apr 29, 2019

Mileage

109,500 mi

AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON BUT THEY HAVE NOT DEPLOYED & NO APPARENT DAMAGE TO THE AIRBAG SYSTEM, WIRING, ETC. WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION WITH THE ABS LIGHT ON, AS YOU WELL KNOW.

NHTSA ID

11204193

Incident

Apr 28, 2019

Mileage

103,500 mi

THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON, MEANING THAT IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, THEY WILL NOT DEPLOY. INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS. THIS IS APPARENTLY DUE TO WIRING UNDERNEATH THE PASSENGER SEAT STRETCHING AND PINCHING FROM MOVING THE SEAT ITSELF AND WHEN THINGS ARE PLACED UNDERNEATH THE SEAT THAT MAY DISTURB THE WIRING. I KNOW IT IS THE WIRING UNDERNEATH THE PASSENGER SEAT DUE TO CHECKING THE TROUBLE CODE AND ALSO BEING ABLE TO TEMPORARILY FIX THE ISSUE FOR A COUPLE WEEKS BY GINGERLY MOVING THE WIRES UNTIL THE LIGHT WENT AWAY. NOW I CAN'T GET THE LIGHT TO GO AWAY NO MATTER WHAT METHODS I TRY. CAN'T FIND A REPLACEMENT SET OF WIRES NOR CAN I LOCATE WHICH WIRE SPECIFICALLY IS BEING AFFECTED TO TRY TO FIX THE ISSUE MYSELF. I HAVE SEEN DOZENS OF PEOPLE MAKING THIS SAME COMPLAINT ABOUT THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYING ON. THIS NEEDS A RECALL SINCE THIS CAN EASILY LEAD TO DEATH SINCE THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY TO ATTEMPT SAVING METHODS TO PASSENGERS. LIGHT WAS ON FOR THE PREVIOUS OWNER FOR I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG AND HAS BEEN ON FOR ME FOR ALMOST A YEAR NOW.

NHTSA ID

11100227

Incident

Jun 27, 2017

Mileage

136,000 mi

THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE AIR BAG IS ON AND DOESN'T GO AWAY. I HAD IT CHECK AND THERE IS NO CODE FOR IT SO THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT IS CAUSE THAT. I NEED A ANSWER BECAUSE I NEED TO HAVE INSPECT AND IS NOT GOING TO PASS.

NHTSA ID

10966683

Incident

Jan 2, 2017

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON

NHTSA ID

10717449

Incident

May 30, 2013

Mileage

54,500 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SONATA. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000.

NHTSA ID

10691528

Incident

Oct 15, 2014

Mileage

14,000 mi

WE WERE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS PROPERLY DEPLOYED IT ONLY FELL OUT OF THE SEAT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR AND IT DEPLOYED FLAT NO AIR IN IT OR NOTHING. MY FIANCEE WAS INJURED AS WELL AS MYSELF AND WE ARE CURRENTLY BEING TREATED FOR INJURIES SUSTAINED BY THE ACCIDENT... *JS

NHTSA ID

10690695

Incident

Feb 19, 2015

Mileage

187,000 mi

TWO DAYS AFTER MY GRANDMOTHER PURCHASED A 2003 HYUNDAI SONATA, SHE WAS INVOLVED IN A MINOR ACCIDENT. THE CAR WAS TRAVELING AT 45 MPH WHEN IT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED AND AS A RESULT, SHE BROKE HER BREAST BONE AND AS OF TODAY, IS STILL HOSPITALIZED FROM THE ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10667215

Incident

Dec 1, 2014

Mileage

65,505 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT SPORADICALLY ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 52,000.

NHTSA ID

10659626

Incident

Jul 15, 2013

Mileage

52,000 mi

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT HAS ILLUMINATED EIGHT (8) TIMES SINCE JANUARY 2005 WHEN VEHICLE HAD ONLY 24,718 MILES. DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAULT AND HAS SIMPLY CHECKED THE SYSTEM AND CONNECTIONS AND RESET THE WARNING LIGHT OTHER THAN A ONE-TIME UNDER SEAT HARNESS REPLACEMENT (>$1000 UNDER WARRANTY) WITHOUT RESOLVING THE PROBLEM. MOST OCCURRENCES HAPPENED DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD BUT THE FAULT STILL OCCURS 1-2 TIMES A YEAR. THIS IS A COMMON MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT ACCORDING TO INTERNET POSTS AND IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WHICH NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THIS MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT NOT ONLY CAUSES A SAFETY OF USE ISSUE WHEN THE LIGHT ILLUMINATES, IT COSTS THE VEHICLE OWNER AN EXPENSIVE SERVICE CHARGE TO HAVE THE SYSTEM CHECKED (TO NO AVAIL FOR THIS COMPLAINANT) AND THE LIGHT RESET. *TR

NHTSA ID

10586391

Incident

Jan 6, 2005

Mileage

24,718 mi

REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT AT A STOP LIGHT. THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. NOW THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON IN THE VEHICLE. REPAIRS ARE $1349.00 REPLACE THE WIRE HARNESS. I NOTICED THIS HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY WITH THESE VEHICLES, WHY HAS NOTHING BEEN DONE. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD, BUT THE CHROME WEARS OFF THE DOOR HANDLE AND A RECALL IS ISSUED. SOMETHING IS ROTTEN HERE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10514819

Incident

Apr 23, 2012

Mileage

109,123 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE AIR BAGS AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED BUT THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ID

10452999

Incident

Mar 5, 2012

Mileage

90,000 mi

THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON. IT DOESN'T DEPEND ON WHETHER THE PASSENGER SEAT IS EMPTY OR OCCUPIED BY AN ADULT. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A PERSISTENT PROBLEMS WITH HYUNDAI VEHICLES. I SPOKE WITH A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AND HYUNDAI CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND SINCE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY I WOULD BE FORCED TO PAY OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES. SINCE THE CAR IS ALMOST 10 YEARS OLD I AM NOT WILLING TO DO THAT. IN MY OPINION THE PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY A DEFECT OR POOR WORKMANSHIP/DESIGN AND THE VEHICLE OWNER SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10447903

Incident

Feb 1, 2012

Mileage

55,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN HE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE CHEST, RIB AND NECK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE INSURANCE TOW-YARD. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 11/16/11*LJ

NHTSA ID

10430809

Incident

Oct 10, 2011

Mileage

107,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE TO UNDERGO DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AT THE CONTACT EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 06/07/11*LJ UPDATED 06/1311

NHTSA ID

10398811

Incident

Dec 20, 2010

Mileage

40,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL CRASH WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED YET THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR CHEST INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD SEND HIM A PACKET TO FILL OUT AND THEY WOULD DECIDE WHAT THEY WOULD DO. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 111,000.

NHTSA ID

10397303

Incident

Apr 22, 2011

Mileage

111,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SONATA GLS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO AUTHORIZED DEALERS AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT A DIAGNOSIS COULD BE PERFORMED BUT A REMEDY POSSIBLY WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE WAS ONGOING FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AND HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY ANY REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ID

10368707

Incident

Jan 15, 2010

Mileage

50,000 mi

2003 SONATA HAS AN AIRBAG LIGHT THAT COMES ON ALL THE TIME. I CALLED A HYUNDAI DEALER AND THEY SAID I WOULD NEED TO PAY THEM $89 TO CHECK IT. I ALSO WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC (NOT AT THE DEALER) THAT HYUNDAI WILL WANT TO REPLACE THE WIRE HARNESS AND COMPONENTS WHICH WILL LIKELY COST MORE THAN $900 AND CLAIM IT IS NORMAL WEAR. HOW CAN THIS BE NORMAL WEAR ON THE VEHICLE? ISN'T THIS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT HYUNDAI NEEDS TO FIX? I SEE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEB SITE AS WELL AS ON THE WEB. DO I NEED TO PAY TO HAVE THIS FIXED? WITH SO MANY COMPLAINTS WHY HASN'T THIS BEEN A RECALL! I AM PLANNING ON BRINGING THIS TO THE DEALER BUT WANT TO KNOW IF THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING THIS AT NO COST TO ME. *TR

NHTSA ID

10358361

Incident

Sep 29, 2010

Mileage

79,766 mi

AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT REMAINS ON ALL THE TIME, PER HYUNDAI NOT COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY AS IT IS CAUSED BY THE CABLE AND HARNESS ASSEMBLY WHICH WEARS OUT. IT STARTED AS INTERMITTENT BUT NOW NEVER TURNS OFF. WHEN INTERMITTENT THEY SAID IT WAS NOT FIXED AS IT NEVER WAS ON WHEN TAKEN TO DEALER. IT STARTED DURING THE NEW CAR WARRANTY PERIOD, BUT DID NOT REMAIN ON UNTIL IT WENT INTO EXTENDED WARRANTY. THEN THEY SAID IT WOULD COST BETWEEN 700 AND 1200 TO REPLACE, NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY, EVEN THOUGH IT APPARENTLY DISABLES THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. THEY SAY IT IS A "MAINTENANCE ITEM", SUBJECT TO NORMAL WEAR SUCH AS WIPER BLADES. EXTENDED WARRANTY CONTRACT EXPLICITLY STATES EVERY THING COVERED BY NEW CAR WARRANTY IS INCLUDED. CABLE AND HARNESS IS NOT IN THE LIST OF EXCLUDED OR MAINTENANCE COVERAGE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10325761

Incident

Apr 1, 2009

Mileage

28,000 mi

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON TOOK TO DEALER HAD REPLACE CIRCUIT BOARD 2 WEEKS LATER LIGHT CAME BACK ON DEALER SAID NEEDED NEW WIRING HARNESS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10325650

Incident

Aug 20, 2008

Mileage

55,000 mi

FOR NO SPECIFIC REASON MY 2003 HYUNDAI SONATA 4 CYLINDER BASE MODEL'S AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD TO GET THE PASSENGER AIRBAG REPLACED AT A COST OF $900 AT THE DEALER. NO EXPLANATION WAS GIVEN BY THE DEALER AS TO WHY THE BAG WENT BAD. *TR

NHTSA ID

10308436

Incident

Dec 15, 2009

Mileage

115,000 mi

THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY COMES ON, MY 2003 HYUNDAI SONATA WITH 70K MILES. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE SEATS HAVE NOT BEEN DAMAGED IN ANY WAY. THE DEALERSHIP USED THEIR SCAN TOOL AND THE CODE IS B1382, THE SIDE AIR BAG RESISTANCE IS TOO HIGH. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT I HAVE TO REPLACE THE AIRBAG HARNESS (PART #917003D010) AND THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER MY STANDARD WARRANTY. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT THE MECHANIC SAID IS DUE TO INSUFFICIENT WIRING BEING USED IN THE DESIGN OF THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. THE ESTIMATED COST TO REPLACE THIS HARNESS IS $1,349 PLUS THE $98 DIAGNOSTIC FEE I HAD TO PAY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10294554

Incident

Dec 4, 2009

Mileage

70,889 mi

MY 2003 HYUNDAI SONATA'S AIRBAG LIGHT REPEATEDLY COMES ON AND OFF FOR NO REASON. WHILE DRIVING THE LIGHT WILL SPONTANEOUSLY COME ON AND WILL GO BACK OFF EITHER DURING THE SAME DRIVING EVENT OR IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS. IT HAS NEVER BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS NOR HAS THE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY OR SEAT BEEN DAMAGED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10294296

Incident

Nov 20, 2009

Mileage

70,856 mi

I HAVE A 2003 SONATA GLS. THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON AND STEADY FOR ABOUT A YEAR, NOW WITH THE NEW STATE INSPECTIONS IN MASSACHUSETTS MY CAR WILL NOT PASS AND I AM AN OUTSIDE SALES REP USING MY OWN CAR. I ASKED HYUNDAI ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND IF THERE HAS BEEN COMPLAINTS OR A RECALL AND SHE SAID NO. I AM VERY FRUSTRATED WITH THIS PROBLEM, I OWE MORE MONEY THAN THE CAR IS WORTH AND I CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX THE PROBLEM AT THIS TIME. I HAVE NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND I DID NOT RECEIVE A CAR FAX FROM THE DEALER SO I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS IN AN ACCIDENT PRIOR TO ME BUY IT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10269900

Incident

Mar 9, 2008

Mileage

65,000 mi