94 complaints reported

2012 Hyundai Elantra Air Bags

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
94
Crashes
19
Fires
0
Injuries
15

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Jul 2016

AIR BAG LIGHT COMING ON IN 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA, TOOK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC DONE WAS TOLD IT WAS THE CLOCK SPRING (IN THE STEERING COLUMN) WAS NO LONGER FUNCTIONING. WAS TOLD IF INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY. THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY PERIOD.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Aug 2016
Jul 2016 Injury

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHEN MAKING A TURN AND DRIVING OVER A CURB, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED VIOLENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED AND FRACTURED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR WHIPLASH, NECK PAINS, HEADACHES, AND BRUISING TO THE RIGHT ARM THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL TREATMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED; HOWEVER, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Mar 2016
Jun 2016

DASHBOARD AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. THE LIGHT STAYS ON FOR A FEW MINUTES, TURNS OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES, AND APPEARS TO HAPPEN AT RANDOM.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jun 2016
May 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER, BUT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,547.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Oct 2016
Apr 2016 Crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN LOCATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Apr 2016
Oct 2015

IT WAS BEAUTIFUL, DRY SUNNY DAY WHEN DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREET IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE(HALF PAVED ROAD HALF DIRT ROAD), ALL OF A SUDDEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. IT STAYED ON UNTIL 5 DAYS LATER, THE LIGHT FLICKERED THREE TIMES AND STAYED ILLUMINATED. A FEW TIME SITTING STILL, CAR IN THE PARK POSITION, CAR RUNNING THE AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD BE OFF BUT AS SOON AS YOU PUT IT INTO GEAR THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASH WOULD ILLUMINATE. TEN DAYS LATER THE LIGHT WENT OFF FOR 30 MINUTES(DRIVING A CITY STREET IN THE RAIN WITH WIND SHIELD WIPERS WERE ON) BUT THEN IT CAME BACK ON. WHEN THE MECHANIC RAN A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK ON IT, NO ERROR MESSAGE CAME UP. HE TRIED TO RESET THE AIRBAGS BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE LIGHT IS STILL ON. IT IS VERY UNSETTLING NOT KNOWING IF THERE IS REALLY A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAGS OR IF IT IS A MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IN SOME WAY.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Oct 2015
Aug 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Aug 2015
Aug 2015

THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE PANEL HAS COME ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON INDICATING THERE MAY BE AN ISSUE WITH THE AIRBAGS BECOMING DISCONNECTED???

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Aug 2015
Jun 2015

EARLIER THIS MONTH, TWO ATTEMPTS TO TURN OFF/RESET THE RED AIRBAG SYMBOL FAILED LEAVING ME WITH A CONSTANT FEAR OF SAFETY FOR MYSELF AND PASSENGERS WHILE DRIVING MY 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. INEXPLICABLY, THE RED AIRBAG SYMBOL POPPED UP ONTO MY DASHBOARD SCREEN EVEN THOUGH I HAVE NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN A COLLISION WITH THIS CAR. I AM THE FIRST AND ONLY OWNER AND SOLE DRIVER OF MY AUTOMOBILE. ACCORDING TO MECHANICS WHO HAVE CHECKED THE AIRBAG PROBLEM, IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION THE AIRBAG WILL MALFUNCTION POTENTIALLY SETTING OFF A SERIOUS SCENARIO FOR DRIVER AND PASSENGERS. TWO ATTEMPTS TO READJUST THE AIRBAG SYMBOL AND CORRECT THE PROBLEM WERE MADE BY GLENDORA HYUNDAI IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FOLLOWED BY A REPUTABLE AUTOMOBILE REPAIR SHOP. THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE TRACED OR IDENTIFIED USING STATE OF THE ART DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, THUS, THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM REMAINS A MYSTERY. AGAIN, AS LONG AS THE SOURCE OF THE AIRBAG PROBLEM REMAINS UNDETECTED THE PROBLEM CANNOT BE CORRECTED AND MY VULNERABILITY TO BEING SERIOUSLY INJURED IS A VIABLE SPECTER THAT WILL NO DOUBT BE REALIZED IN THE EVENT I EXPERIENCE THE MISFORTUNE OF A VEHICLE TO VEHICLE COLLISION.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Feb 2015
May 2015

MY CAR IS SUBJECT TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V-310 RECALL FOR AIR BAGS. I RECEIVED A RECALL FROM HYUNDAI THAT ADVISES ME TO GO TO WWW.HYUNDAIUSA.COM/CAMPAIGN117 TO SCHEDULE THE REPAIR. I HAVE TRIED 4 TIMES TO SCHEDULE THE REPAIR, BUT THE WEBSITE DOES NOT WORK. IT CONFIRMS MY VIN, BUT WHEN I ENTER MY ZIP CODE, THE SITE LOCKS UP SO I NEVER GET TO THE SITE WHERE I SCHEDULE THE REPAIR. WHAT GOOD IS A RECALL IF HYUNDAI WON'T LET ME SCHEDULE THE REPAIR? HELP PLEASE. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA TOURING, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: May 2015
Apr 2015 Crash Injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING A LEFT TURN AT 5 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK, BACK, RIGHT ANKLE, LEFT KNEE, AND LEFT RING FINGER INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jan 2015
Jul 2013 Crash Injury

MY 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WAS HIT IN WHAT I BELIEVE IS KNOWN AS THE B-PILLAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE (THE CENTER COLUMN BETWEEN THE FRONT AND REAR DOORS).I AM UNCERTAIN HOW FAST THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS GOING BUT IT WAS FAST ENOUGH TO DO APPROXIMATELY $6000 WORTH OF DAMAGE, AND I SUFFERED A HEAD AND BACK INJURY.THANKFULLY I DID NOT HAVE ANY PASSENGERS OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.I NORMALLY HAVE BOTH OF MY CHILDREN IN THE REAR SEAT BUT THEY WERE NOT WITH ME AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.I HAVE BEEN GIVEN SEVERAL EXPLANATIONS AS TO WHY THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, NONE OF WHICH MAKE SENSE TO ME.I UNDERSTAND THAT AIRBAGS THEMSELVES CAN CAUSE HARM AND THEY ARE DESIGNED ONLY TO DEPLOY WHEN NEEDED. WITH THAT BEING SAID, THE IMPACT POINT ON MY VEHICLE SEEMS TO BE AT EXACTLY THE POINT OF THE SENSOR IN THAT PILLAR (ACCORDING TO THE ILLUSTRATION IN MY OWNER'S MANUAL).I RECOGNIZE THAT MY CAR CAN SENSE WHETHER I HAVE A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER, BUT I AM NOT AWARE OF A SENSOR BEING IN THE REAR SEAT. I WORRY ABOUT WHAT THE RESULT WOULD HAVE BEEN IF ONE OF MY CHILDREN HAD BEEN IN THAT REAR SEAT.MY VEHICLE WAS DEEMED UNSAFE TO DRIVE SO I HAD TO LEAVE IT AT A BODY SHOP THE DAY AFTER THE ACCIDENT.I AM UNABLE TO TRANSPORT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION AND THE DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THEY ARE UNABLE TO INSPECT IT AT THE BODY SHOP.THEY TELL ME TO BRING IT IN FOR INSPECTION AFTER THE REPAIR.THE BODY SHOP TELLS ME THEY HAVE TO RELY ON THE VEHICLE'S COMPUTER SYSTEM TO DISPLAY A PROBLEM IF THERE IS ONE.AT THIS POINT, I HAVE LITTLE FAITH IN THE VEHICLE AND AM UNWILLING TO ACCEPT A FAILURE OF THE LIGHT TO COME ON AS A PROOF THAT EVERYTHING IS WORKING PROPERLY.ADDITIONALLY, I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW-THE EXTERIOR IS RED AND THE INTERIOR IS BLACK. I LATER LEARNED THAT THIS COLOR COMBINATION WAS NEVER AN OPTION, LEAVING ME TO QUESTION THE QUALITY ASSURANCE MEASURES IN PLACE. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jun 2013
Jun 2013 Crash Injury

2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE AIR BAG FAILURE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HIS WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, AND ALL THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, EXCEPT THE DRIVER'S SIDE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Feb 2013
Apr 2013 Crash Injury

I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND BY AT SUPER DUTY FORD 250 GOING APPROX 50 MPH. I WAS STOPPED AND WAS PUSHED A CAR LENGTH INTO A CHEVY SILVERADO WHO WAS ALSO STOPPED, MY TRUNK TOOK MOST OF THE DAMAGE BUT THE FRONT END WAS PRETTY BAD TOO, BUT MY AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. NOT SURE OF THE MPH OF THE IMPACT TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, BUT BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER HAVE NECK STRAIN AND BACK STRAIN; ALONG WITH MULTIPLE BRUISES FROM THE SEAT BELT. I KNOW THE AIRBAGS HAVE A SENSOR, BUT COULD THEY BE MESSED UP? *JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA TOURING, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Aug 2013
Dec 2012 Crash Injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA TOURING. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH THROUGH AN INTERSECTION, A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED A CEREBRAL HEMORRHAGE, A CRACKED RIB AND SUFFERED SEVERAL HEADACHES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,800. .... UPDATED 02-20-13 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED ACCORDING TO THE INSURRANCE COMPANY. UPDATED 02/25/2013 *JS

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA TOURING, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Dec 2012
Nov 2012 Crash Injury

ON OCTOBER 19,2012, I WAS DRIVING ON 94 E IN MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN AND GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT INVOLVING FOUR VEHICLES. THE TRAFFIC WAS GOING AT A STEADY PACE AROUND 60 MPH. THE NEXT THING I SAW WAS BRAKE LIGHTS AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM. I KNEW I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO STOP IN TIME AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND I ALSO WAS HIT FROM BEHIND. I WAS THE 3RD OF 4 VEHICLES SO MY CAR WAS DAMAGED IN THE FRONT AND THE BACK. THE DAMAGE WAS ESTIMATED AT AROUND $13,000. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I WENT TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM UPON THE NIGHT OF THE ACCIDENT WITH BACK, NECK, ARM, AND CHEST PAIN. FORTUNATELY, I DID NOT HAVE ANY BROKEN BONES OR SERIOUS INJURIES. I STILL HAVE SOME ACHES AND PAINS BUT AM VERY BLESSED TO BE UNINJURED. ALTHOUGH I WAS FORTUNATE TO BE PHYSICALLY HEALTHY, I FELT IT WAS NECESSARY TO REPORT THIS INCIDENT. I AM A 24 YEAR OLD ACTIVE/HEALTHY ADULT. IF IT WERE AN INACTIVE ADULT, AN ELDERLY PERSON, OR IF A CHILD WERE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE OUTCOME WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN AS FORTUNATE. I NEEDED TO REPORT THIS INCIDENT FOR OTHERS WHO HAD PURCHASED THE 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. I KNOW PREVIOUS REPORTS HAVE BEEN MADE REGARDING THIS MAKE/MODEL AND THE AIRBAGS AND I FELT LIKE IT IS MY DUTY TO REPORT MY SITUATION. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Oct 2012
Jul 2012 Crash

2012 ELANTRA WAS STRUCK IN CENTER OF HOOD BY JEEP SUV AT APPROXIMATELY 45* ANGLE. JEEP WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. ELANTRA WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH. ELANTRA BUMPER CAVED IN ALL THE WAY TO THE ENGINE BLOCK IN THE CENTER. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. INVESTIGATING OFFICER QUESTIONED WHY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AS WELL AS THE WRECKER DRIVER. BOTH COMMENTED THAT IN THEIR EXPERIENCE THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED IN THIS CASE. PHOTOS AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jul 2012
Jul 2012 Crash Injury

DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND METAL BRACKET DEPLOYED WITH AIR BAG FROM HEADLINER AREA ALSO AND SLICED MY EAR IN HALF... COULD HAVE BEEN NECK... I HAVE PICTURES OF THE WRECKAGE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE... *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jul 2012
Mar 2012 Crash

STATED HYUNDAI WAS HIT ON DRIVER SIDE REAR BY AN SUV. REAR DOOR CURLED AROUND CENTER POST BUT SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUFFERED SLIGHT CONCUSSION AND NECK STRAIN. REAR DOOR WAS DESTROYED ALONG WITH REAR FENDER & ROCKER PANEL. ESTIMATED SPEED OF OFFENDING SUV WAS 25. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Nov 2012

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 2012 Hyundai Elantra has 94 Air Bags complaints on file. 19 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.