Updated the federal safety agency Complaint DraftVehicle Information: 2014 Hyundai SonataVIN: [XXX] Incident Date: XXX Description of Safety Defect:While driving on XXX, the vehicle's engine experienced a catastrophic mechanical failure and completely shut off without warning, causing an immediate loss of motive power. This sudden engine stall created an extreme, hazardous traffic safety risk.A subsequent professional inspection revealed that the vehicle's odometer had been illegally rolled back and tampered with by the selling dealership (Johny's Auto Center in 120 bleu hill ave Roxbury, MA) 02119 prior to purchase. The true, undocumented mileage of the engine is significantly higher than indicated, directly causing this sudden component failure. I am reporting this incident both as a critical vehicle safety defect and as a case of illegal odometer fraud. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2014 Hyundai Sonata airbags problems
31 complaints (4% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 80,000. 12 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 31
- of this car's complaints
- 4%
- typical mileage
- 80,000
- crashes
- 12
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Hyundai Sonata airbags problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2014 Hyundai Sonata airbags
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Electrical overstress
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with manufacturer design specifications.  The ECU in the subject vehicles contains a model DS84 application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which controls the communication of the crash sensor signal, firing commands (i.e., when to deploy the airbag(s) and/or pretensioners), and fault information (e.g., diagnostic trouble codes). In September 2016, FCA announced recall 16V‑668 for certain model year (MY) 2010 to 2014 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products manufactured with the subject ZF-TRW ACU.  In this recall, FCA discussed an EOS condition that resulted in a failure of the subject DS84 ASIC, which caused air bag non-deployment. FCA noted that the defect condition had only been observed in vehicles equipped with sensor harnessing routed across the front of the vehicle.  Other FCA vehicles that also used the subject ACU, but were not equipped with cross-car harnessing, had not experienced EOS failures, despite similar time in service. During the course of this investigation, ODI sent two separate Information Request (IR) letters to six vehicle manufactures (including FCA, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, Mitsubishi, and Toyota) and one IR letter to ZF-TRW. These IR letters resulted in ODI receiving comprehensive data from these manufacturers and suppliers. Studies of this data found that the DS84 ASIC does not have sufficient protection against negative electrical transients or electrical overstress (âEOSâ) that can be generated in certain severe crashes. An electrical transient occurs when the electrical power supplied to a circuit changes momentarily over a short duration of time.  In these severe crash cases, the crash sensors and other powered wiring can be damaged and short circuited so as to create a negative electrical transient of sufficient intensity and duration (that are outside the vehicle manufacturer's specification) to damage the ASIC before the restraint device deployment signal is received by the SRS ECU. This damaged signal can lead to incomplete or nondeployment of the air bags and/or pretensioners.  Airbag non-deployment and/or lack of pretensioner operation can increase the risk or severity of injury in a crash.A total of 8 fatalities and 14 injuries were associated with known EOS events. The common element in all investigated manufacturers vehicles is the SRS ECU containing a DS84 ASIC manufactured by ZF-TRW. The risk associated with the ASIC is equally shared among all OEMS involved in the investigation. The actual real-world risk can be mitigated by other factors which were assessed by ODI during this investigation. The first mitigating factor involves protections built into the ACU design which protect the DS84 ASIC from damage. There are multiple strategies and levels of protection employed by different OEMs that provide effective EOS mitigation. The two most common strategies at the ACU level are circuit protection diodes on the remote senor signal lines, and current limiting resistors that protect critical components. The second mitigating factor is found at the vehicle level and involves the location and routing of the wires leading from the crash sensors to the SRS ECU. If the wires are well protected in a crash and are not routed with other power wires carrying large currents, the risk for an EOS event is significantly reduced or eliminated. These design specific factors combine to produce a spectrum of risk for the vehicles equipped with ACUs using the DS84 ASIC. Given the many of years of field exposure, it is possible to divide the subject population into two groups; vehicles which have experienced EOS events, and vehicles which have not experienced EOS field events. Four of the six OEMs involved in this investigation have experienced EOS field events on at least one of their models equipped with a DS84 ASIC. All vehicle models (including the Toyota models identified in the Failure Report Summary of the opening resume for this investigation) with field events have been recalled. In an abundance of caution, ODI kept this investigation open five years to monitor field performance and did not identify any field events on vehicles not included in existing safety recalls. Given the spectrum of risk identified in this investigation and that all vehicles with a demonstrated unreasonable risk have been recalled, ODI is closing this investigation. ODI is closing this investigation with the following manufacturer safety recalls: 16V‑668, 18E-043, 18V‑137, 18V‑363, and 20V‑024. With the recall actions taken by the subject vehicle and equipment manufacturers, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exists on other model or model year vehicles outside of the recall scopes. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.
EA19001
What 2014 Hyundai Sonata owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle before the front passenger's side air bag independently deployed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The contact was advised not to take the vehicle for a diagnostic test until contacted by the manufacturer. The contact had no additional communication with the manufacturer. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the driver’s air bag warning light was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The service technician stated that there were no recalls on the VIN related to the failure. The failure persisted and the contact stated that the electrical functions on the steering failed to operate as needed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided the same information as the dealer and the contact was given a case number. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The airbag system warning light on my 2014 Hyundai Sonata GLS has turned on. I suspect it may be related to a faulty clock spring or another issue within the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS). The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? If the airbag system is not functioning properly, the airbags may not deploy in the event of a collision, putting my life and the safety of passengers at serious risk. This is particularly concerning as this vehicle is used for daily commuting and family travel. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? I have not yet had it diagnosed by a dealer or repair shop, but I plan to schedule a diagnostic check soon. The airbag light remains consistently on during vehicle operation, indicating a persistent fault. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No, the vehicle has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer or any third-party representative. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Yes, the airbag warning light illuminated on the dashboard without any prior physical impact or incident. It first appeared approximately [two days ago], and it has remained on continuously since then. Additional Information: I am aware that certain Hyundai Sonatas have been subject to airbag-related recalls, including issues with the clock spring and airbag deployment failures. Given the similarity of symptoms, I would like to know whether my vehicle may be affected by one of these recalls, or if Hyundai will provide inspection and repair support based on this known issue.
I am having an issue with the driver's front airbag clock spring assembly in my 2014 Hyundai Sonata. I see that there is a recall on the 2011-2014 Elantra vehicles, 2011-2013 Sonata vehicles, and 2011-2014 Sonata Hybrid vehicles for up to 15 years, but my 2014 Sonata is having the same issue. My car is not a hybrid, but what do I need to do in order to get this covered? Everything that the recall is describing is going on with my vehicle. The airbag light stays on, a non-functional horn, and/or inoperative steering wheel controls, the steering column makes a noise when turned.
Air bag warning has come on due to malfunctioning clockspring. Went to dealership and realized it is not under extended 15 year warranty. Even though, 2011-2013 Sonatas, Elantras, and 2011-2014 HYBRID Sonatas are covered. Being so close in years this is disappointing to learn that the warranty was cut off, although it obviously seems to be an ongoing problem.
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the horn independently beeped. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.
Had a wreck on I-40w bound hit guard rail on passager side and the left into themiddle median my airbags or the drivers side nor did the dash both passenger & drivers did not deploy... The only airbag that depoyed was the passenger side over the right side front & back door window frame... I have pictures a proof that the airbags didn't depoly
The airbag light turned and stayed on. I checked my Sonata in a repair shop and the diagnostic test reads a clock spring resistant too high. It recommended a clock spring replacement. I checked on the internet and found there was a recall for clock spring recall for Sonata 2011-2013, but my Sonata is 2014. Not sure why my 2014 model was missed. Please check if the clock spring in 2014 has the same model as Sonata 2013. If yes, please add Sonata 2014 to the recall list. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Dash cracking severely over Airbags...Hyundai refuses to address the problem even though they had a PRIOR RECALL for the Same Issue. The Spiderweb Cracking is severe enough I am concerned my airbags will deploy without warning. Leather in Limited Model Seats Cracks and Disintegrates so badly the Power Motor and Components are exposed and compromised.
Questions about the 2014 Hyundai Sonata airbags
Does the 2014 Hyundai Sonata have airbags problems?
Owners have filed 31 complaints about the airbags of the 2014 Hyundai Sonata, 4% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2014 Hyundai Sonata airbags problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 80,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2014 Hyundai Sonata airbags?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Hyundai Sonata have bad airbags?
The Hyundai Sonata model years with the most airbags complaints are 2006 (435 complaints), 2011 (419 complaints) and 2007 (257 complaints).
Other 2014 Hyundai Sonata problems
Engine 322Electrical 135Lights 120Fuel system 89Steering 65Brakes 60Transmission 55Seat belts 25Acceleration 22Driver assistance 20Body 17Visibility 10Suspension 7Seats 5Wheels 5Locks 4Tires 3
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