Tl*the contact owns a 2008 hyundai santa fe. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminates on the instrument control, indicating that the passenger front air bag is inoperative. As a consequence in a situation that warrants the air bags may fail to deploy. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and a technician concluded that the failure is caused by a weight distribution failure. She contacted the manufacturer. Upon contact a representative advised her to sit in the rear seat, because the air bags are secondary safety methods; seat belts are the first. The failure mileage was 1,000. The current mileage was 3,000. Bl updated 10/13/09. *lj the consumer requested to withdraw the complaint. The consumer wants all information deleted. Updated 10/13/09
2008 Hyundai Santa Fe airbags complaints
Page 3 of 3: complaints 41 to 70 of 70, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 hyundai santa fe. While driving approximately 60 MPH the "passenger air bag off" warning light indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The warning indicator remained illuminated until the engine was turned off. The front passenger seat was occupied with a small stature adult. The air bag sensor does not detect a certain weight positioned in the front passenger seat. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and the technician stated that the design and the air bag system was functioning properly. The manufacturer was notified; however, there were no resolutions. The contact has concerns of the safety risk involved. The failure mileage was 2,000 and the current mileage was 4,500. Updated 10/13/09. *lj the consumer stated his wife weighed roughly 125. The passenger side air bag was off no matter how she sat in the passenger seat. Updated 10/15/09
My wife and I purchased a 2008 hyundai santa fe. The car is great running vehicle except for one safety problem: the front passenger airbag sensor does not detects my wife as an adult and toggles on and off at will. It is really frightening to be traveling down an highway or any road and realize that I have no airbag. My wife is 5' 3 " and weighs about 120 lbs and at times I needed to have her reposition seat to the total upright position to reset the airbag indication light. This does not give me a sense of security since I don't feel confident that it would deploy if needed .I called two hyundai dealers and was advised that this a common problem and suggested for me to come in for a checkup. I at this time have not made an appointment with the dealer but will certainly make one asap.
Since I bought my 2008 hyundai santa fe and pulled it off the lot the passenger side airbag does not register me. I am 5'3" 105 lbs. Rarely does it ever work and if it does its only for a minute. Took to dealership and they state there is nothing they can do about it. Lady stated she has heard complaint numerous time and hyundai wont do anything about it. They tell you to restart the car and sit with perfect posture. This still does not work and even if it does move an inch and it turns back off. I feel very unsafe in the passenger side and I have read numerous complaints about this from other consumers. Its like hyundai is waiting for someone to die before they do anything about it!
The passenger airbag light comes on intermittently, indicating that there is no passenger air bag active while my wife is sitting in the passenger seat. This might happen 2 or 3 times in a 100 mile trip. I have been to three hyundai dealers and also talked with hyundai consumer affairs 3 times. All three dealers were able to see the problem with my wife sitting squarely in the passenger seat, but all dealers said that there is nothing that they can do to correct the problem. The dealers say that the load cells under the seat are set to require 80 lb of force before the air bag will function, to prevent possible injury to a small child. The hyundai consumer affairs people are very supportive, and agree that the problem needs to be resolved, but are not able to help. My wife is 5'-6" tall and weighs 120 lb.
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 hyundai santa fe. While driving at an unknown speed, the passenger side air bag light would illuminate, even when the passenger seat was occupied. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current mileage was 8,391 and failure mileage was 2,000. Updated 08/04/09. *lj updated 08/06/09.
2008 hyundai santa fe front passenger airbag light intermittently comes on stating airbag is off when there is a passenger sitting in the seat. I brought back to dealership and they claim they never saw this happen before on a santa fe but it did on the tucson. They put on a machine and claimed it was fine and of course would not happen when it was at the dealership. They told me they had to make some calls and I might need the seat replaced because the sensor may be bad and I would hear from them in a couple days. That was june 24, 2009 and it is now july 13, 2009 and I have not heard a thing. It happened last night when my husband and I went out and I took pictures and video of it to show me sitting in seat and the light on and without revealing my weight, believe me I am heavy enough to make the light stay off. I am going to call them again tomorrow and hope for some results. This could be a fatal defect and I demand it to be repaired.
My husband and I recently purchased a 2008 hyundai santa fe. Everything about the car is great except for one thing: the front passenger airbag sensor does not detect me as an adult and toggles on and off at will. It is really frightening to be barreling down the road and realize that I have no airbag. I have read that the sensor is set at about 120lbs and I weigh 115lbs. The arrogant service person at hyundai recommended that I be the driver or sit in the rear seat! I couldn't believe they would just tell a 48 year old woman to sit in the back! (that should be interesting going on dates with the hubby or helping my 15 year old learn to drive.) the service person also asked me if I was sitting squarely on the seat with my legs extended. What? Yes, I was sitting squarely on the seat with legs extended!! So, if I shift my butt slightly on a 4 hour drive - are they saying I'm responsible for the airbag not deploying? What ridiculousness. I was appalled. I have read online that many petite people have had this problem with the santa fe and the sonata. This is not an unknown or rare problem. I am taking it in to hyundai service on monday, but quite frankly, I was not encouraged by the questions the service people asked. If it can't be fixed to be armed at all times, I will return the car - and that would be a shame because we liked everything else about it.
My husband and I just purchased this 2008 santa fe gls (used with 10,000 miles) about two weeks ago. We noticed this issue two days later. The passenger airbag will not turn on when I, a 120 lb, 5' 7", 31 year old adult female sit in the seat. I took it in to the hyundai service center and was simply told that I was not heavy enough to activate the seat so there was nothing I could do. I was also told that it is set to activate for anyone over 110 lbs. I am definitely heavier than that. This seems to me to be a safety issue which should be resolved quickly as I have read of many other customers with similar issues.
2008 hyundai santa fe - passenger side front airbag light indicates that the airbag is not working when a passenger, who weighs around 170 lbs is in the seat. I have brought this car to two different dealerships for repair, on four separate occasions. The first time, they couldn't recreate the issue, I left the dealership, the problem happened again within 10 minutes. I took pictures and video of the passenger in the seat with the "air bag off" light illuminated. Brought it back the next day, they replaced a weight sensor. Issue was still happening, brought it back the third time and was told they couldn't recreate the issue. Again, I drove off the lot, and the issue happened again. Called hyundai customer service, and was told to bring it in again. This time I brought it to another dealership, and today was told that they couldn't recreate the issue, but they will try again tomorrow. One of the main reasons I bought this car was safety. I will not ride with a passenger in the front seat, because, chances are that the airbag will not work or will not work properly. Hyundai needs to address this as there are many many complaints online from santa fe owners.
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 hyundai sonata. The contact noticed that the passenger side front air bag does not detect her weight. She weighs roughly 102 lbs. Secondly, she noticed that the air bag warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel, which signified that the air bag was inoperative. The failure could cause the front passenger side air bag not to deploy and injure the occupant. The technician confirmed the failure; however, they could not provide a remedy. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was excluded from the federal safety agency campaign id number 08v161000 (air bags); therefore, they could not offer any recourse. The failure and current mileages were 1,756. Updated 4/14/09 *cn updated 04/17/09.
Airbag indicator lights come on to show airbags are not functioning. 2008 santa fe was returned to dealer to correct the problem. Dealer reset computer code for airbag sensors. Worked for a couple weeks , then lights came back on. Returned to dealer to check again. Dealer said the airbag sensor built into the passenger seat was defective. The dealer substituted a seat from another vehicle and the problem disappeared. The dealer called a hyundai engineer in california and was told all airbags were not operable when light was on. Dealer now has car waiting for delivery of a replacement passenger seat. Dealer claims he has seen this problem once before.
2008 hyundai santa fe passenger airbag works sporadically at best. Passenger weighs around 120 pounds and the light goes on and off leading me to believe that the airbag would not work effectively in an accident. Have taken to the dealer twice now and they were unable to replicate the problem. It appears that the sonota has been recalled for a very similar issue. This has occurred the at 50 miles vehicle currently has 600 miles.
Purchased 2008 hyundai santa fe. Air bag senor light would come on. When ever a passenger would shift their weight in the seat, the senor light would come on and stay on. Took into dealer two times with no problem found. Third time factory rep was present, problem found but could not be fixed. Was offered a different car with me paying the difference in sticker price or they would buy back my car with a fee. The lemon law in reverse. No action was taken to fix problem.
Passenger side air bag disengages frequently with adult in seat. Dealership says it is functioning as it is supposed to ...... Not acceptable. This is not a safe situation.
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 hyundai santa fe. While driving at an unknown speed, the air bag indicator would not stop illuminating when the passenger seat was occupied. The vehicle was driven to the dealer and they stated that there was no defect. The air bag indicator remained illuminated even when someone occupied the passenger seat. The vehicle was driven to the dealer approximately two months later and was left for repairs. The mechanic stated that the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle has not been repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The current mileage was 4,000 and failure mileage was 300.
The last week for nov. 2008 I purchased a new santa fe for my wife. On 12/26/2008 she was involved in a head on wreck. My 25 yr. Old daughter who is very petty about 110 lbs. Was riding in the passenger seat and the air bags did not deploy. Due to the air bags not deploying she was injured very seriously. I had no idea that there were prior complaints about the air bags it appears that there has been quite a few complaints I hope something is done before someone is killed. The manufacture needs to fix this problem.
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 hyundai santa fe. The contact stated that the vehicle has been at the dealer for two months because the air bag light and door locks were not working properly. The dealer is currently stating that they have to rewire the entire vehicle. The vehicle has not yet been to the repair shop for the air bag light to be repaired. The part was ordered, but it did not remedy the failure. The doors have been repaired unsuccessfully approximately six times. The failure mileage was 300 and current mileage was 3,000.
The air bag suppression system of my 2008 hyundai santa fe se is suppressing the front passenger air bags when my wife, who weights between 110 and 115 pounds, occupies the seat. This has happen ever time my wife has sat in the vehicle since we took delivery about 3 weeks ago. The car was brought to the service department at advantage hyundai in hicksville, new york were they used a male technician whom I was told weights 130 pounds to show me the occupant classification system was working to specs and indicated there was nothing further that could be done. I was also told by service that the occupant classification system would suppress the air bags for any weight under 120 pounds. Following this service appointment, I spoke with charlie case for the federal safety agency who suggested I file this complaint.
My 2008 hyundai santa fe seems to have a faulty passenger occupant sensor. My wife weighs about 105 lbs. And the sensor intermittently recognizes the passenger seat as being occupied. When I sit in the passenger seat the airbag sensor light will turn off. I weigh 198 lbs. My wife can usually position the seat to make the airbag sensor light turn off but then the sensor light will come back on again after approximately 30 seconds of driving. This is a safety hazard since the passenger seat occupancy sensor should register anything over 100 lbs. As an adult and therefore the sensor should remain off indicating that the air bag is activated. The hyundai dealer checked out the sensor and stated that it was working normally.
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 hyundai santa fe. Immediately after the vehicle was purchased, the passenger side air bag indicator illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was driven to the dealer and the mechanic stated that the occupant classification system was defective. The vehicle was not repaired at that time. The vehicle was driven to the dealer a second time and the mechanic performed a diagnostic. The contact was informed that the occupant classification system was not defective. The failure persisted and the manufacturer stated that they were not liable for the repairs because the passenger needs to weigh 120 lbs or more. The current mileage was 5,000 and failure mileage was 145.
The front passenger air bag arms and disarms intermittently depending on the weight of the passenger. Recently my 21 year old daughter who weighs 130 pounds had the air bag light go on indicating that the air bag was turned off while we were driving. I cannot get anyone from hyundai or the dealership to give me an exact weight requirement for the front passenger seat. Can a small adult who weighs 115 to 120 never sit in the front passenger seat, this should not be the case and we should be able to permanently arm the airbag if we want. I cannot get anyone to help me with this matter. The dealership says the airbag checks out fine so they are at a loss. I called hyundai and the will not commit.
Airbag sensor in front passenger seat does not detect an adult sitting in the seat. Air bag will not deploy in an accident.
My 2008 hyundai santa fe has a defect in the passenger side air bag sensor. When my wife sits in the passenger seat of the car the "pass airbag off" light comes on which indicates that in the event of a collision her airbag will not deploy. She weighs 145 pounds, but if I get in the passenger seat then the light goes out, I weigh 210 pounds. There is obviously a problem with the weight sensor. This is a serious safety issue, I have heard from many other owners of similar vehicles complain of the same problem. The dealer refuses to acknowledge the problem , although a recall for a similar problem in the hyundai sonata was issued. Please before someone loses their life because of this, have hyundai issue a recall. Thank you.
Hello, this is a new car (400mi.) and with my wife (5'4" and 120lbs.) sitting in the passenger seat the passenger side airbag light illuminates, indicating the airbag is off. Occasionally the light will go off (as expected, indicating the passenger airbag is armed) as we start driving and then it will come on after 5 to 10min. Of driving. It is very disconcerting to think the airbag may not deploy if needed. Thanks, dan
My 2008 hyundai santa fe se seems to have a faulty passenger occupant sensor. I weigh about 130 lb. And it often does not recognize the passenger seat as being occupied when I sit in it and the passenger airbag will turn off. I can usually position the seat to make the airbag come back on but then the airbag will turn off again while driving (although it is not supposed to turn off and on after 30 seconds of driving). This is a hazard as the passenger seat occupancy sensor should register anything over 100 lb. As an adult.
Re: failure of the front passenger's air bag to be activated. Hyundai 2008 santa fe with 150 miles I am a 145lb 5'8" male. 75% of the time when I am sitting in the front passenger's seat, the front airbag fails to "turn on". Even though I'm sitting upright with my feet placed on the ground, exactly as described in the owner's manual, the sensors located in the seat cushion fail to recognize me as an adult. I have visited the hyundai dealer and their equipment says the sensors are working. I have numerous witnesses at the dealer who have observed the failure of the sensors to "turn on" the airbag when I'm sitting in the seat.
Passenger seat airbag "off" indicator lights when a 115 pound, 5'8" adult sits in the seat (indicating that the passenger airbag will not deploy in the event of an accident). Local dealership and hyundai national 1-800 complaint line indicate that the indicator light is performing to specifications. I believe specifications (supposedly a 130 pound minimum for full functioning of passenger airbag deployment system) are inappropriate and result in an unsafe situation.
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 hyundai santa fe. The passenger side air bag light constantly illuminates when the contact's wife is seated in the passenger seat. His wife weighs 103 lbs. When an occupant weighting 110 lbs or more is in the front passenger seat, the air bags work fine. The contact has attempted to get in touch with the dealer owner, but has been unsuccessful. The current mileage was 3,980 and failure mileage was 2,656.
2008 hyundai santa fe - passenger side airbag sensor malfunction with airbag warning light on @ 250 miles - less than 24 hrs after purchase. Dealer cleared code - problem recurred later same evening - now problem is intermittent. Seems as if the 2007 model issue has carried over to the 208 model. Not happy - bad start for what is marketed as a safe car - what good is 8 airbags if they will not deploy when needed.
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