Problems · by component

2012 Hyundai Elantra air bags problems

128 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2012 Hyundai Elantra cite air bags, 19% of all 676 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
128
19% of all complaints
Crashes
27
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
30
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the air bags

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“I was going down the bridge on settlers landing road the yellow school bus was in the right turning lane with right turning signal on .as I approached the light in the middle straight lane to keep toward the landing (hotel) on settlers landing Hampton va the bus some what merged back towards the middle lane and that when the bus crashed into the car it went under the bus it’s totaled the windshield and my sunroof collided the airbags did not deploy something needs to be done about that that was dangerous.I got glass in my face my right hand had glass my head hit the steering wheel my body jerked. I hit my legs my whole body is hurting and very sore all over I can’t hardly walk my hand is swollen. Liability suit of airbag default needs to happen”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 11, 2026Air bags, Vehicle speed controlCrash reportedODI 11743488
“The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. Neither an independent mechanic nor a dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 101,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 31, 2026Air bagsODI 11728339
“Car accident. My car was T-boned on the passenger side, the side airbag did deploy. The impact from the accident pushed my car into on coming traffic and I hit 2 other cars. One in the front grill and the other in the left rear quarter panel. The front airbag did not deploy and my chest hit the steering wheel. My car was totaled and I was taken to the hospital and had 5 CT scans. The one for my chest showed a contusion which I continue to have pain from. I also had neck sprain or strain and had physical therapy to assist with the pain. When I was released from the hospital ER I was taken to the lot where my car was towed to get my belongings and took photos of my car. The photos show where they cut the side airbag out and the broken window. You can also see the front airbag did not deploy. I believe the insurance adjuster inspected my car after it was towed. I received reimbursement from the insurance company. There were no warning lamps or messages regarding the airbags prior to the accident.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 16, 2025Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11693837
“I have constantly had problems with the airbag light going on & off for simply no reason driving the road. Also the windshield sensor light keeps going off making it unsafe to drive at night. I am am a senior citizen & I have to work and I keep going back & forth with my mechanic paying extensive checks on top of getting the problem resolved. I don't have money like that. I live along surviving off of one income.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 30, 2025Air bags, Seat belts, Visibility/wiperODI 11690526
“Seatbelt failed passenger was thrown forward hitting windshield afterwards airbag deployed throwing passenger upwards hitting roof of vehicle Issue: Delayed airbag deployment Issue: Seatbelt failure”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 9, 2025Air bags, Seat beltsCrash reportedODI 11679620
“The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the ABS and air bag warning lights were intermittently illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that an unknown local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. Parts distribution disconnect.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 17, 2025Service brakes, hydraulic, Air bagsODI 11667394

Showing 6 of 128 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Air bags: side

Free remedy

Hyundai Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Elantra vehicles manufactured from November 12, 2010, through March 5, 2013. A support bracket attached to the headliner may become displaced during a side curtain airbag deployment.

Air bagsReported Apr 1, 2013NHTSA 13V115000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026

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