72 complaints reported

2012 Hyundai Sonata Air Bags

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

Reports
72
Crashes
9
Fires
0
Injuries
6

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Feb 2026

The warning light for the airbags is on on my dashboard with no airbags ever been deployed.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Feb 2026
Feb 2025 Crash Injury

Airbags failed to deploy. I was involved in a hit and run accident. Vehicle has not been inspected. I had a recall done on it with paperwork confirming it was fixed. I have 4 herniated discs in my back and neck.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Aug 2025
Dec 2024

Sitting in parking lot with car running in park and passenger airbag deployed with person sitting in the passenger seat. No injury to passenger but windshield broke and driver seatbelt will not move now.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Nov 2024
Jul 2024

Vehicle went over a pothole where the manhole cover was few inches above ground. Vehicle was traveling at 15 MPH. The driver side seat and airbags deployed on it went over the pothole.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jul 2024
May 2024

Airbags light shows up on the dashboard one day and it won’t go away, I was just driving and it came on. No collision has occurred causing airbag light to come on.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: May 2024
May 2024

Sterling McCall Hyundai at Houston 77074 installed an airbag unit as part of a recall last visit. The airbag light came, and I went to the dealership to fix the light, they said they were not responsible, and they wanted a $490 inspection cost plus the repair, and I had to leave the car for 3 weeks. They scanned the car and airbag showed on the dashboard The dealership must install genuine parts that do not require fixing every couple of months, which is their responsibility. I am flagging the Belvoir on my recall so far. this is not a good reputation for your company I hope this is done urgently to avoid further issues and we maintain a good relationship rather than fighting

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jul 2024
Apr 2024

The front dashboard panel that protects the passenger side airbag has cracked in several different places. These cracks have created pieces with sharp and pointed edges that may cause injuries to face, eyes and upper body of the passenger in case of an airbag deployment.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jan 2023
Apr 2024

2011-2013 SONATA (YF) AND AIRBAG CONTROL UNIT (RECALL CAMPAIGN 174) I did the recall at Sterling Mcall in 10/2022 and I had no airbag light before after I did the recall the airbag light came on the dashboard -The dealers scanned the car and it is visible on the baseboard however the dealer is reluctant to repair it and asked 3 weeks of diagnostic and 500 dollars only for diagnostic and nothing about the repair I showed them the recall repair failure is their responsibility and the airbag should be permanently fixed not to be worried about it from time to time The dealer's excuse is that car titles salvage however the car is being serviced at the dealer and is passing state inspection every year. I filed a complaint in BBB nad the dealer failed to respond and sent me a threatening letter for emailing their executive.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jul 2024
Sep 2023

The air bag light is on in my dashboard and this car has never been in an accident before and I’ve gotten it checked by a professional mechanic and the code is reading driver airbag resistance high codes B1346 and B1481

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Sep 2023
Jul 2023 Crash Injury

The contact owned a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact received notification of 18V137000 (Seat Belt, Air Bags) on October 2019. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and had the recall remedy completed. The contact stated while his wife was driving 35 mph, another vehicle intercepted her lane and crashed into the front driver-side tire. No air bags deployed. The driver sustained injuries on her left leg and her neck but did not seek any medical attention at the moment of the crash. The contact stated the following day, she called her primary doctor and was receiving physical therapy for her injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not drivable. The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss. The vehicle was towed to a collision shop. A dealer was not contacted nor made aware of the failure. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: May 2023
Jul 2023

Cracked Dash Board The Dash Board has two cracks that run from Windshield to Passenger area. Located right where the SRS label is and the airbag is located and second crack is about 5 to 6" to the left. Dealer states that the Airbag will not deploy correctly if needed. I have read a lot on line about this issue, . In cases that Hyundai would correct the issue but in my case they will not. I have spoken with someone that had same issue and the Dashboard was replaced by Hyundai because of my very concerns. I am looking to see how this can get replaced without me having to pay $4000 to get it repaired. This car has been maintained and kept in very good condition.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jul 2023
Oct 2022 Crash Injury

On March 19th, 2022 I was t-boned and my airbags failed to deploy causing me to slam my head against my window. I herniated two discs in my neck because of the accident. My 2012 Hyundai Sonata had just had it's engine replaced due to the engine recall and had also never been in a wreck. My airbag light came on after the wreck. Sent my car to be fixed and light went off. I was hit again 2 weeks ago and afain, airbags failed to deploy. Notified Hyundai of the situation and was told my car wasn't part of the airbag recall.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Mar 2022
Sep 2022

Fake Place and fake appointment. They give me an appointment after 1 month and I went to do the recall on the airbag unit they told me no part.Very bad experience

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Sep 2022
Jul 2022

The Air Bag sensor light will not turn off. several months ago I had brake light sensory issues that cost me $1,500.00 and now its the Air Bag light.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jul 2022
Jul 2022 Crash

Involved in a head on crash with a deer at 63 mph. Front end completely smashed in. All components including air bag sensor detached from vehicle on impact. Airbags did not deploy.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jul 2022
May 2022

The airbag warning light went on while driving without any cause, no recent accident or repair. After starting the engine, the light goes off for a couple seconds, goes back on, then stays on most of the time while driving but will go off for a minute or two occasionally. Checked for codes and looked at the fuses - both are good. I'm reluctant to take it to the dealer based on the probable repair cost and believe this should be a recall issue.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: May 2022
May 2022

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the airbag warning light illuminated on the instrument panel upon the start of the vehicle. The contact called the local dealer and an appointment was scheduled to diagnose the vehicle. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jun 2022
May 2022

My air bag light turned on without any code. My dash cracked with only 40K miles.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Apr 2022
Jan 2022

Aire bag ligh on

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jan 2021
Oct 2021

1. Air Bag Light is On. 2. Car does not start. Both of these problems re-occured after Inspected & serviced by Hyundai.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Oct 2021
Sep 2021

No Incident. Airbag warning light is always on. This is an going issue with Hyundai Sonata 2012. Contacted the dealer since it is a safety issue, but they said it is not under warranty. I know several people have the same model of the car and have the same issue with the airbag light. This issue should be recalled because it a is a safety issue

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Sep 2021
Jun 2021

Air bag light won’t turn off

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jun 2021
Apr 2021

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON, I SEE THIS MODEL HAD RECALLS

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jul 2021
Mar 2021

MY CAR HAS AND WAS SERVICED ON THE AIR BAG BEFORE AND ONCE AGAIN OUT OF THE BLUE THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON , NO CHANGES HAVE OCCURED WITH THE VEHICLE , NO ACCIDENTS NOTHING NEW AND I HAVE CHECK THE WEBSITE PERIODICALLY TO SEE IF ANYTHING CHANGE

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Mar 2021
Feb 2021

WHEN I GOT MY CAR ..IT SEIZED ON ME .TOOK TO DEALERSHIP THAN IT WAS SENT TO HYDAI FOR THE 11 RECALLS ..AND NOW THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND DOES NOT TURN OFF ..IT JUST TURNED ON ONE DAY FOR NO REASON ..NOT SURE OF THE EXACT DATE .I CAN PUT APPROX.SINCE DATE HAS TO BE ADDED IN ORDER TO SELECT NEXT

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jan 2020

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 2012 Hyundai Sonata has 72 Air Bags complaints on file. 9 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.