228 complaints reported

2011 Hyundai Sonata Air Bags

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

Reports
228
Crashes
22
Fires
1
Injuries
14

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Dec 2026

UNKNOWN - I noticed DASHBOARD crack over time and the AIR BAG light remain on at all times. The AIR BAG light on the passenger side shows OFF. The entire dashboard is cracked. I fear that I can no longer drive my car distances due to air bag issue. I did not report the issues to a dealer yet, I was waiting until next oil change time. I do not know the date that it started.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Dec 2026
Oct 2025

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed air bag clock spring. The contact was informed that the driver's air bag clock spring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under recall. The contact had received an unknown recall notification previously for the air bag. The contact was informed that he was nine days late for the coverage of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under repair. The failure mileage was unknown.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Aug 2025
Jul 2025

Air bag light is not coming on at all.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Oct 2025
Jan 2025

Airbag light is on after a clock spring issue. Dealer is stating new airbag is needed for vehicle that has never had an accident. Airbag light was not on prior to clock spring malfunction. Clockspring was repaired, but airbag light remains on.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jan 2025
Dec 2024 Injury

I started my car and my steering wheel airbag deployed within a few seconds and injured me. Reason for deployment unknown

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Nov 2024
Sep 2024

Dashboard cracked passenger seat around airbag word. Before weather got very hot outside was sitting in parking lot engine off, heard a loud noise and was not able to locate anything wrong. Thought it was the windshield that has a small crack in it. Noticed nothing. Several days later saw large lines through windshield around airbag. Looked inside car to see better. Several weeks later saw smaller crack on driver side dash nearest to door area. Did have oil changed on car on 4-19-24. This happened weeks later (the cracks). Did notify repair shop (auto dealer Priority) of issue. Next appt was 5-18-24 for new tires to be put on car.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: May 2024
Jan 2024

Dashboard cracked. Completely cracked into small pieces throughout the dashboard.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: May 2021
Dec 2022 Crash Injury

The airbags in my car did not deploy! I was hit so hard through my driver window that it knocked me out both speeds combined together was 110mph with me going 55mph the air bags should have went off the whole driver side back to the trunk is damaged and not even the door airbag had went off. This is a huge safety concern for myself.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Apr 2022
Sep 2022

Driver air bag light stays illuminated while vehicle is operating.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jan 2021
Jun 2022

Air bag lights have come on. Unsure of what the exact issue is until I bring it to the shop.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Dec 2021
Apr 2022

Airbag sensor came on for no reason

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Mar 2022
Apr 2022

The airbag sensor light will not turn off.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Feb 2019
Mar 2022 Crash

My wife was hit on the drivers side door at 45mph and the side airbags didn’t deploy. According to the inspection, the side impact shorted the ACU.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Mar 2022
Dec 2021

My airbag light will not go off . return the car back to the dealer . Car in the shop seen July 1 2021 and the dealer change my Sensor out three times, still the light stay on. One time the shop told me the wire harness was the problem, Recall in 2018 was to put a wire filter to help with the problem .

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jun 2021
Nov 2021 Crash

No airbags deployed upon result of hitting a COW at 50mph. Airbags didnt deploy. Waiting to be overlooked by insurance adjuster. Highway patrol overlooked vehicle while filing a report. None.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Sep 2021
Sep 2021

Air bag warning light came on while driving 9/16/2021(no collision or impact involved; no one in passenger seat). Mileage is about 110k. Have read a number of other owner complaints with similar information. Recall is not open; apparently already fixed, but clearly something is wrong. Concerned about non-deployment of air bags in the event of an accident.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Sep 2021
Sep 2021

The air bag light will not go off. I have seen lots of complaints about this same issue.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jan 2021
Aug 2021

Airbag light is on.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Aug 2021
Jun 2021

Headlights have burnt out 4 times in 1 year w/install, break/tail lights have burnt out 6 times in 1 year w/ install. Cruise control isn't staying set and airbag light is on unknown reason after OBD scan. Break lights have burnt thru the connection piece, causing damage, overpower from the wiring harness has caused over load of power which caused lights to burn out and even burst. Multiple drivers with similar problems, airbag may still deploy for no reason or not deploy at all. Cruise control malfunction possibly due to airbag issues, but may also be from faulty wiring throughout the vehicle and ultimately into the sterring console. Computer or motherboard may also now have damages cause by over amped volts of electricity without a serge protecter. Possibility of electrical damages, caused by overload from power supply and directed throught the vehicle may have cause exponential damages to electrical in the sonata. Causing a serious safety concern and hazard. Exterior lighting requires new wiring harnesses and connection pieces as well as new casing from over amp overload, resulting in overheating and bulb combustion damages. New airbag assembly is probable and reset of mother board with upgraded features and completely new wiring with serge protection is necessary.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Sep 2021
Jun 2021

Air bag light on All steering controls not working

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: May 2021
Apr 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, WHEN SHE HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND AND THE AIR BAGS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. HYUNDAI BRUNSWICK (5400 ALTAMA AVE #2, BRUNSWICK, GA 31525) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Apr 2021
Feb 2021 Crash Injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, HE REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO HIS CHEST WHEN THE SEAT BELT RETRACTED DURING THE COLLISION. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED AS THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT WAS LEAVING THE HYUNDAI DEALER WHEN THE COLLISION OCCURRED AFTER GETTING THE STEERING WHEEL AND A FLAT TIRE REPAIRED, BUT THE DEALER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE COLLISION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 164,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Feb 2021
Feb 2021

THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT IS ON IN MY VEHICLE AND WILL NOT SHUT OFF. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO SEE ABOUT THE SERVICE LIGHT INDICATOR, BUT THEY WILL NOT SERVICE THIS INDICATOR LIGHT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY WITH THIS LIGHT ON!

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: May 2020
Feb 2021

THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND DOES NOT GO OFF.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: May 2020
Nov 2020

AIR BAG DASH LIGHT IS ON AT ALL TIMES THAT THE ENGINE IS RUNNING.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Oct 2020

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 2011 Hyundai Sonata has 228 Air Bags complaints on file. 22 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.