Problems · by component

2010 Hyundai Elantra air bags problems

52 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2010 Hyundai Elantra cite air bags, 11% of all 455 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
52
11% of all complaints
Crashes
27
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
34
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the air bags

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“I am submitting this complaint regarding a possible airbag/SRS system failure involving a Hyundai vehicle. On May 26, 2026, the vehicle was involved in a severe front-end collision resulting in major structural damage to the front end, including the hood, bumper reinforcement, radiator support, and engine compartment. Despite the significant impact damage, none of the airbags deployed, including the driver or passenger frontal airbags. The collision was serious enough that the occupants could have suffered severe injury or death. Based on the extent of the damage, I believe the airbag system, crash sensors, or airbag control module may have malfunctioned or failed to operate properly. Photos documenting the damage are available. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this incident for potential safety defects involving: * Airbag non-deployment * Crash sensor failure * SRS system malfunction * Airbag control module defects I am also requesting review of whether similar complaints or investigations exist involving this Hyundai model or related vehicles.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 27, 2026Air bags, Structure, Forward collision avoidanceCrash reportedODI 11740444
“On Sept 12th of this year I was involved in a multiple rollover with my Hyundai elantra and not one single airbag deployed nor did my seatbelt tighten up to keep me from moving around as much. Due to this I suffered a fractured vertabrae.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 5, 2023Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11548355
“I have a 2010 Hyundai Elantra. On Saturday, July 22, 2023, after the car was put into park in my fathers driveway and the emergency brake put on, the front driver and passenger bags deployed. The force of it's deployment cracked the windshield in several places on the passenger side. There were no warning lights or indications that this would occur. The car was in park. The seatbelts are in a locked (not able to retract) form, so the car is not drivable. The two individuals in the front seat were disoriented for a short time. All 4 passengers in the car experienced ringing in the ears for approximately 3 hours, but are ultimately, physically alright, however, not mentally. If this had occurred in another setting, the risk of accident or other safety measures would have been grand, but luckily it happened at the home of a family member. The airbag malfunction needs to be eligible to be fixed and not at the expense of me the owner. The car has a camera located in it and it captured all items listed above. The video may be provided. The Hyundai corporate office has been contacted and an incident file opened. The insurance company has been contacted, as well.…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 26, 2023Air bagsODI 11534596
“The contact owned a 2010 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while his wife was driving downhill in the rain at 45 MPH, she failed to apply the brakes and crashed into a vehicle. The impact of the crash caused a three-vehicle pile up. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. Due to the failure, his wife hit her right arm and chest on the steering column. The authorities arrived at the scene and rendered aid by the EMT. The driver of the vehicle that his wife crashed into sustained neck injuries. The contact later took his wife to a hospital where she was treated for bruising to her right arm and chest. A police report was filed(2023-17095). The vehicle was towed to an independent tow yard where it remained in their possession. The manufacturer nor the dealer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 22, 2023Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11523196
“Clockspring has failed . Hyundai has extended the clockspring warranty for 2011 to 2014 Elantras to a 15-year unlimited mileage but has excluded the 2010 models for some reason. I would like Hyundai to extend the warranty to all affected vehicles as it is a safety hazard.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 7, 2023Steering, Air bags, Vehicle speed controlODI 11516041
“My daughter was parked sitting in this car before going into work when all the airbags but the front ones deployed. The driver side one hit her arm very hard. The car was on but in park. Nothing hit the car.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 27, 2021Air bagsODI 11438441

Showing 6 of 52 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.