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2008 hyundai Sonata airbags problems

severe 123 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100

Complaints
123
Recalls
1
Crashes
10
Avg fix
$1,100

Related recalls

severe NHTSA 08V161000 10/04/2008

HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 393,308 MY 2006-2008 SONATA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ADVANCED AIR BAG SYSTEM WHICH FEATURES AN OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT

MISCLASSIFICATION OF A SMALL STATURE ADULT AS A CHILD IN THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT MAY CAUSE THE RIGHT FRONT AIR BAG TO NOT INFLATE IN AN ACCIDENT THAT MERITS AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT AND MAY RESULT IN INJURY TO THE RIGHT FRONT OCCUPANT.

Fix: DEALERS WILL VERIFY THAT THE OCS DOES NOT PROPERLY RECOGNIZE A PROPERLY SEATED ADULT OCCUPANT. AFTER VERIFICATION, DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT CUSHION ASSEMBLY AND SHIP IT TO AN EVALUATION AND REPAIR FACILITY. THIS FACILITY WILL EVALUATE AND REPAIR OR REPROGRAM THE SEAT CUSHION AND OCS AS NECESSARY. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT MAY 26, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

What owners are reporting 10 most recent

airbags · filed 12/31/2014

2008 HYUNDAI SONATA : RECEIVED RECALL FOR PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP AND TOLD CAR WAS NOT PART OF RECALL EVEN THOUGH PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT WHICH SHOWS THAT AIR BAG SYSTEM IS DEACTIVATED CAME ON WHEN PASSENGER WAS IN FRONT SEAT INTERMITTENTLY. NOW DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ON STEADY, MECHANIC STATES SENSOR ISSUE AND AIR BAG WILLNOT DEPLOY IN CRASH, CALLED HYU…

airbags · filed 12/31/2007

THE AIRBAG LIGHT DOES NOT GO OFF WHEN A LIGHTER WEIGHT PASSENGER IS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WHICH WE FIND VERY UNSAFE FOR OUR PASSENGERS. THE WEIGHT IT SHOULD REGISTER TO GO OFF AS WE UNDERSTOOD IS A BODY BEING OVER 85 LBS., BUT THERE SEEMS TO BE NO RHYME OR REASON AS TO WHEN IT STAYS ON OR GOES OFF TO MAKE THE PASSENGER SAFER. MANY DRIVERS ARE LIGHT WEIGHT AS ARE MANY PASSENGERS AND THIS SHOU…

airbags · filed 12/29/2012

AIRBAG AND FRONT PASSENGER LIGHT CAME AND STAYED ON. ON MARCH 20, 2012 DEALER STATED RECALL TOOK MY CAR FOR A WEEK THEN RETURNED NO LIGHTS. THE PROBLEM CAME BACK AGAIN ON AUGUST 14, 2012 AND THEY REFUSE TO DO ANY FURTHER WORK BECAUSE MY 2ND OWNER WARRANTY EXPIRED IN APRIL OF 2012, THE DEALERSHIP WON'T EVEN HONOR THE PARTS/LABOR WARRANTING THEIR WORK FOR 1 YEAR I WAS TOLD THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO DO…

airbags · filed 12/27/2012

I STARTED UP THE CAR AND NO ONE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES UP ON THE DASH DISAPPEARS AND REAPPEARS AND STAYS ON. AFTER VISITING MECHANIC THE ERROR CODE B1448 APPEARS. I'M AFRAID THAT THE AIR BAGS WON'T DEPLOY IF I'M IN AN ACCIDENT. I'M ALSO THINKING WHETHER THIS IS ASSOCIATED TO THE LARGER OC SENSOR FAILED RECALL. *TR

airbags · filed 12/23/2007

THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT REMAINS ON EVEN WHEN AN ADULT IS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. SOMETIMES THE CONDITION CAN BE CLEARED BY RESTARTING THE VEHICLE BUT OTHER TIMES THE CONDITION REMAINS THE SAME. ADJUSTING THE SEATING POSITION AND SEAT LOCATION DO NOT SEEM TO AFFECT THE PROBLEM AT ALL. *TR

airbags · filed 12/22/2012

FRONT PASSENGER WARNING LIGHT:"PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" REMAINS LIT EVEN WHEN OCCUPIED. HAZARD: DO NOT KNOW IF AIR BAG IS ACTIVATED OR NOT. BAD OCS MODULE? WANT RECALL HONORED 08V161000. FRONT VISOR REMAINS STRAIGHT DOWN POSITION BLOCKING VISIBILITY. WHEN MOVED TO THE RIGHT BLOCKS ENTRY/EXIT FROM VEHICLE BY HITTING PEOPLE IN THE HEAD. HAZARD! WHAT DO I DO IF MFG. REFUSES TO FIX THESE ITEMS--M…

airbags · filed 12/17/2016

MY CAR ONLY HAS 82,000 MILES ON IT AND I AM THE SECOND OWNER. FOR SOME REASON THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. I RECEIVED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY NOTIFICATION EARLIER THIS YEAR IN REGARDS TO SEAT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES ON 2006-2008 SONATAS, WHICH APPLIED TO MY CAR. AT THAT TIME HOWEVER, I HAD NO ISSUES WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHT BUT NOW THE LIGHT HAS COME ON. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT MY ISSUE HAS N…

airbags · filed 12/17/2013

WE BEGAN QUESTIONING HYUNDAI (TAMERON HYUNDAI IN BIRMINGHAM ALABAMA) WHEN WE NOTICED THAT THIS LIGHT STAYED ON. I ALSO READ IN A HAYNES MANUAL THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM AND I MENTIONED IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE SERVICE DEPT. INFORMED US THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THAT PROBLEM AND THAT IT WAS DUE TO THE PASSENGER NOT SITTING PROPERLY IN THE SEAT. WE RECENTLY RECEIVED A RECALL NOT…

airbags · filed 12/14/2020

THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE HAS CAME OFF AND SO HAS THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE HAS CAME OFF AND THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR IS TOTALLY INOPERABLE. THIS S A TOTAL SAFETY HAZARD IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, A CAR CRASH GOD FORBID OR EVEN THE CAR CATCHING FIRE. GETTING TO SAFETY WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT. I CANT AFFORD TO CONTINUING FIXING AN ISSUE THAT IS DEFECTED TO…

airbags · filed 12/13/2022

Took vehicle to independent Hyundai factory trained technician due to air bag light. Was advised this is due to failure of Occupant Classification System sensor in front passenger seat. This is related to NHTSA Campaign 08V161000, but technician advised my VIN was not listed under this recall. Technician advised me to contact Hyundai due to the recall and inquire if my vehicle could be covered, si…

Common questions

How serious is the airbags problem on the 2008 hyundai Sonata?

It's a meaningful issue. 123 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.

At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?

Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.

What does it cost to fix?

Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.

Are there any recalls related to airbags?

Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover airbags issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.

Other problem areas on this vehicle

Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.
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