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2008 Hyundai Elantra airbags problems

38 complaints (12% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 55,000. 24 crashes reported.

owner complaints
38
of this car's complaints
12%
typical mileage
55,000
crashes
24
recalls
2

Which part fails

  • Frontal
    5
  • Side/window
    4

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Hyundai Elantra airbags problems in other years

1994200020052010201520202026

Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 Hyundai Elantra airbags

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

No deployment 17Airbag light 11

Related recalls

Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactiveReported March 15, 2011 · 188,697 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 elantra vehicles manufactured from july 14, 2006, through november 1, 2008. The front passenger seats in the vehicles contain a weight sensor designed to deactivate the right frontal airbag when occupants of certain weights occupy the seat. The electrical connector for the weight sensor is located under the center console, between the front seats. Under certain circumstances the connector could become contaminated and malfunction such that the front passenger airbag will deploy regardless of the weight of the occupant.
Risk
The front passenger air bag could deploy in crashes in which it should not deploy, increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant from the deployed air bag.
Remedy
Dealers will install a protective cover over the weight classification system connector to prevent contamination. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expecting to begin during april 2011. Owners may contact hyundai's customer assistance center at 1‑800‑633‑5151.

Recall number 11V143000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactiveReported March 15, 2011 · 95,783 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 elantra vehicles manufactured from july 14, 2006, through august 29, 2007. The driver's seat track position sensor determines the seat's fore and aft position and allows the driver's frontal air bag to deploy at the pressure appropriate for that seating position, with a lower pressure deployment in the most forward seating positions. The air bag control module may receive an unstable electrical signal from the seat track position sensor such that, in a crash that requires driver frontal airbag deployment, the driver's airbag may deploy at the higher pressure than intended if the seat was position in one of the forward positions in which a lower pressure deployment is intended.
Risk
A higher pressure deployment than intended increases the risk of injury resulting from airbag deployment.
Remedy
Dealers will reprogram the air bag control module free of charge. The safety recall is expecting to begin during april 2011. Owners may contact hyundai's customer assistance center at 1‑800‑633‑5151.

Recall number 11V179000 · Recall details

What 2008 Hyundai Elantra owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Nov 1, 2023 · Airbags · 31,200 miles · IN · crash · 1 injury

The contact owned a 2008 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while the wife was driving at 30 MPH, the contact's wife was involved in a no-fault accident. The other vehicle involved was a 2020 Yukon Denali, which ran a stop sign and crashed the front driver's side. The contact stated that none of the air bags deployed. The contact's wife was taken by ambulance to the hospital for medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The vehicle was condemned to total loss by State Farm. The contact stated his wife suffered bruises and a herniated fifth disk in her back that required medical attention. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 31,200.

Filed Jul 12, 2023 · Airbags · TX · 1 injury

While making a U-turn in a parking lot I accidentally ran over a pothole. Upon doing so the driver's airbag deployed burning a hole through my shirt and leaving burns on my stomach and arms. No other part of the vehicle was affected.

Filed Jan 8, 2020 · Airbags · OK

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 hyundai elantra. The contact stated that at vehicle start up, the air bag warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to regional hyundai located at 2380 west kenosha street, broken arrow, ok 74012, (918)806-2000, to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not subjected to a recall and that the warranty period had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The contact was informed by the manufacturer that the diagnostic fee would be waived however, there would be no additional assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Dec 10, 2019 · Airbags, Engine · 248,800 miles · TX

My 2008 hyundai elantra has the airbags light on for about few years. I also have a problem on my car that is recently starting to have problems starting up. It has tune up, new sensors, new coils, and etc. I bought a fuel pump oem and the pump is not 2 years old.

Filed Jun 6, 2019 · Airbags · 238,000 miles · FL · crash · 1 injury

The car was hit by another car going and the airbags failed to deploy resulting in injuries. My car was turning left at about 15 MPH and the other driver blew through a red light at 60 MPH. Photos available from esurance.

Filed Mar 18, 2019 · Airbags · CT

The car is running fine one day air bag light on and is my personal car I use every day

Filed Jul 31, 2018 · Airbags · 179,000 miles · VA

Driving down the road & air bag light came on & stayed on, bills auto repair diagnosed the issue and said the airbag computer needs replaced for $1,459, dealer not yet notified.

Filed Dec 5, 2017 · Airbags, Body · 40,000 miles · NC · crash

Takata recall. Driver lost control of the car and over corrected and hit a tree which pushed her into another tree. The front end of the car was wrecked and the air bags did not deploy. We were never contacted about the recall on the car so we had no knowledge that the air bags were defective.

Filed Aug 22, 2017 · Airbags · 170,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 hyundai elantra. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the air bag warning light flickered and then remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the clock spring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were contacted however, the contact was informed that there was no recalls on the vehicle and that the vehicle had to be repaired at the owner's expense. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.

Filed Feb 22, 2017 · Airbags · 130,000 miles · MD

Airbag light turns on and stays on intermittently. Google search has indicated this problem affects many elantra owners

Questions about the 2008 Hyundai Elantra airbags

Does the 2008 Hyundai Elantra have airbags problems?

Owners have filed 38 complaints about the airbags of the 2008 Hyundai Elantra, 12% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2008 Hyundai Elantra airbags problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 55,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2008 Hyundai Elantra airbags?

Yes, 2 recalls: 11V143000, 11V179000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Hyundai Elantra have bad airbags?

The Hyundai Elantra model years with the most airbags complaints are 2013 (168 complaints), 2012 (124 complaints) and 2001 (118 complaints).

Other 2008 Hyundai Elantra problems

Steering 55Brakes 52Fuel system 45Engine 41Electrical 31Transmission 29Acceleration 24Lights 24Suspension 11Visibility 11Body 10Driver assistance 6Tires 5Seat belts 4Wheels 2

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