The contact owns a 2024 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was struck from behind by a semi-truck, causing the vehicle to spin out of control and to be struck a second time on the driver's side by the semi-truck at full speed. The impact caused the windows glass to shatter; however, the air bags failed to deploy. The contact lost consciousness upon impact. The contact sustained a lumbar strain and a concussion. The contact was transported to the emergency room by emergency medical services. The vehicle was towed away from the scene. A Police report was filed but was not provided. The manufacturer and the dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 55,000.
Hyundai Elantra no deployment problems
362 of the 8,746 owner complaints about the Hyundai Elantra describe airbags did not deploy in a crash, most of them for the 2001 model year.
- owner complaints
- 362
- worst model year
- 2001
- typical repair cost reported
- $6,200
- typical mileage
- 45,000
Is there a fix? There are 14 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Airbag light 22Brake failure 13Seat belt 8Stalling 5Sudden acceleration 4Fire or smoke 4ABS 4Tire blowout 3
What owners say
My vehicle did not have any warning lights or issue lights on the dashboard at the time of crash. We were at a full stop on the highway when a car rear ended us going 50-70MPH. The driver had a broken left clavicle. No air bags deployed despite the severity of the crash.
my car was t-boned on the passenger side at the b pillar and airbags did not deploy. yes the body shop confirmed the airbags did not deploy. no warnings or messages.
The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while stopped at a red light with the precise pressure on the brake pedal, the RPM became elevated, the brake pedal was released, and as a result, the vehicle increased in speed and crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The contact's entire front side impacted the rear of another vehicle. No property damage was reported. The contact stated the vehicle came to a complete stop upon impact and shut off. The contact stated the air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that no warning illuminated before and after the incident. A Police report was filed. The contact sustained an injured knee, neck, and back and has experienced emotional distress. Medical attention was not received. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 3,300.
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
The airbags failed to deploy when I was in a car accident on 03/31/26. I was rear ended while at an intersection. The car that rear ended me had airbags that deployed upon impact. My car was the only car in which the airbags did not deploy despite the high impact. Not only was I rear ended, but I was slammed into another vehicle in front of me and into a streetlight/streetpole. My car is now totaled. My car sustained the most damage and my body. The airbags are available for inspection upon request. I would have filed this request sooner, but I am still hurt and I am still undergoing treatment for my injuries. My safety was put at risk by the lack of protection from the airbags in my car. I could have died. I’m alive, but I also sustained serious injuries from the lack of deployment. My body hit the steering wheel upon impact. My head, chest, back, neck, shoulders, right arm, right hand, wrist, and right leg/ankle were all injured due to this accident. If my airbags had deployed, my injuries would’ve been lessened and they could’ve been prevented altogether. I was rushed to the hospital at the scene. I’m still currently receiving treatment for the injuries I sustained from this crash and lack of airbag deployment. No, the problem hasn’t been reproduced nor confirmed by the dealer. No one has inspected the vehicle. An adjuster from the at fault party has only taken pictures of the exterior of the car, but they didn’t inspect the car. There were no warning lamps, no messages, no symptoms, no problems whatsoever prior to the failure. They first appeared the day of the accident on 03/31/26. My family and I’ve had this car since 2012/2013 and it has never been in a major crash like this. The airbags have never deployed and they failed to deploy the day of this crash. There were no recalls on my car prior to the accident. All recalls have been serviced. My family and I’ve never been notified about airbag defects or airbag recalls on this car since we’ve purchased it.
I no longer have this vehicle, as I traded it in once I was able to lower some of my negative equity. During owning the 2020 Hyundai Elantra, a deer it the side of my vehicle and knocked me into the center of the road while I was driving. No airbags had come out, nor was any sensor activated. About 6-8 months later, I was driving down the same road and a deer had run across the road. The forward collision sensor did not alert me (I was paying attention to the road, but would have absolutely heard it), and my airbags did not deploy. My car suffered over $9,000 in damage and I had a concussion.
I am writing to formally report a safety concern regarding my vehicle involved in a car accident on December 19, 2025. Details of the incident: Vehicle Make/Model/Year:Elantra SEL Sport 2025 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN): [XXX] Date of Accident: December 19, 2025 Location of Accident: Dec 16,2025. Silver Spring, MD the Takoma Park. City of Takoma Park Police 7500 Maple ave Takoma 20912 Nature of Accident: Rear-end collision; the back of my vehicle was pushed in. Airbags: Did not deploy during the collision. Injuries Sustained: Significant back injury requiring medical attention. Despite the collision, the vehicle’s airbags failed to deploy, which I believe is a safety defect. I am concerned that this poses a serious risk to myself and other passengers. I am requesting that the federal safety agency: Investigate the potential airbag defect in my vehicle. Determine if there are recalls, safety notices, or manufacturer defects associated with this make and model. Provide guidance on any additional actions I should take regarding safety and potential claims. Attachments: Photos of vehicle damage Accident report / police report XXX Medical documentation of injuries I appreciate your prompt attention to this matter. Please let me know if you require any additional information. Sincerely, INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Vehicle: 2011 Hyundai Elantra Touring Date of Crash: [XXX] Location of Crash: Duluth, MN Description of Incident: I was driving my 2011 Hyundai Elantra Touring straight through an intersection when another driver ran a stop sign and T‑boned the passenger side of my vehicle. The impact was severe enough that the vehicle was totaled, with significant structural intrusion into the passenger compartment. No airbags (side torso or curtain) deployed, although the strike was a direct side impact at approximately 30+ mph. I expected at least the side curtain or side torso airbags to deploy. My insurance adjuster noted that the lack of deployment was unexpected given the severity and nature of the crash. Outcome: Vehicle declared totaled No airbags deployed No serious injuries, but a significant safety concern INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
On [XXX] I was struck by a OVI driver at 50mph the side airbags deployed however the front airbag never deployed. The vehicle was totaled out my insurance company. The vehicle had no record or open recalls for the airbag and had been given a multiple point inspection in November 2024 with no issues noted. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Related recalls
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Elantra and 2016 Elantra GT vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may rupture during deployment.
- Risk
- An air bag inflator that ruptures may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or passengers, increasing the risk of injury or death.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the air bag inflator, as necessary, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 3, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated August, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1‑855‑371‑9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 300. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on May 16, 2026.
Recall number 26V307000 · Recall details
Air bags: sensor: side impact
- What is wrong
- Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025 Elantra N, 2026 Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), and Elantra vehicles. The B-pillar impact sensors may have been misassembled, which can delay air bag deployment.
- Risk
- Air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the impact sensor(s), as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 11, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai's customer service at 855‑371‑9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 299. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on April 22, 2026.
Recall number 26V254000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal
- What is wrong
- Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Elantra N and 2022-2023 Elantra vehicles. The emblem on the cover of the driver's front air bag may not have been welded properly, which can result in the emblem detaching upon deployment.
- Risk
- A detached air bag cover emblem may strike a vehicle occupant, which can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 14, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1‑855‑371‑9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 234.
Recall number 22V632000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2017 Hyundai Elantra vehicles manufactured April 15, 2016, to September 13, 2016, and Sonata vehicles manufactured May 27, 2016 to September 16, 2016. In these vehicles, the end seal for the driver's frontal air bag inflator may not have been properly installed, possibly resulting in reduced inflation of the frontal air bag in the event of a crash.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not inflate fully increases the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1‑855‑371‑9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 156.
Recall number 16V956000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal
- What is wrong
- Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Sonata vehicles manufactured May 29, 2014 to February 11, 2016, 2017 Elantra vehicles manufactured January 12, 2016 to February 22, 2016, and one 2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicle manufactured October 15, 2015. In these vehicles, the driver's frontal air bag may be missing a chemical enhancer required for the second stage air bag deployment, resulting in the second stage not deploying in certain crashes. The primary stage will deploy as intended.
- Risk
- An air bag that does not inflate increases the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on May 5,2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1‑855‑371‑9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 144.
Recall number 16V232000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
- 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
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
- 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-inactive
- What is wrong
- Hyundai is recalling certain my 2001-2002 elantra vehicles. Movement of the side impact air bag wiring harness mounted under each front seat, possibly caused by contact from materials placed under the seat, may result in an electrical resistance that would cause supplemental restraint system (SRS) warning light illumination.
- Risk
- This condition only relates to the driver and passenger seat mounted side impact air bags and may prevent seat mounted side impact air bag deployment during a crash where such deployment should occur. Non-deployment of the SRS air bags may increase the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger under certain crash conditions.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install new side impact air bag wiring harness connector clips and revised side impact air bag wiring harness attachments under the driver's and front passenger's seats. The recall is expected to begin during the fourth quarter of 2008, and will be sent out in six mailings. Owners may contact hyundai at 1‑800‑633‑5151.
Recall number 08V533000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
- What is wrong
- Hyundai is recalling certain my 2001 elantra vehicles. If a liquid is spilled in the area of the cupholder on the center console, it may seep through the console opening for the parking brake lever and then drip onto the air bag control module electrical connector. The spilled liquid may contaminate the air bag control module and its electrical connector to the air bag wiring harness and cause the supplemental restraint system (SRS) warning light to illuminate.
- Risk
- This condition may affect the driver and passenger frontal air bags and may prevent air bag deployment during a crash where such deployment should occur. Non-deployment of the SRS air bags may increase the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger under certain crash conditions.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a protective cover over the vehicle's air bag control module connector. The recall owner notification began on november 30, 2008, and letters will be sent out in six mailings. Owners may contact hyundai at 1‑800‑633‑5151.
Recall number 08V532000 · Recall details
Air bags
- What is wrong
- Certain vehicles equipped with an advanced air bag system. The occupant classification system (ocs) installed in the right front seat of the vehicle may misclassify a child restraint seat (crs) as an adult. This may occur if the crs is installed after an adult has been seated in the right front seat. If there has not been a 'key on' ' key off' cycle with the right front passenger seat empty prior to installation of the crs.
- Risk
- The possibility of misclassification of a crs as an adult may allow the right front airbag or side impact airbag to deploy in a crash and could result in injury to the right front occupant.
- Remedy
- Dealers will reprogram the vehicle's ocs electronic control unit (ecu) to remove the feature that may cause the crs to be recognized as an adult. The recall began on november 15, 2005. Owners may contact hyundai of puerto rico at 1‑800‑981‑0188.
Recall number 05V479000 · Recall details
Questions about the Hyundai Elantra no deployment
Which Hyundai Elantra years have airbags did not deploy in a crash problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2001 (37 complaints), 2013 (29 complaints) and 2003 (23 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix airbags did not deploy in a crash on the Hyundai Elantra?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $6,200 (median of 10 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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