Free. Instant. No signup. Pulls recalls and complaints for your exact vehicle.
Couldn't find that VIN. Check the digits and try again.
severe Owners of the 2013 Hyundai Elantra have filed 138 NHTSA complaints about the airbags, typically surfacing around 70,000 miles at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Elantra | 41 |
| 2010 Elantra | 43 |
| 2011 Elantra | 68 |
| 2012 Elantra | 108 |
| 2013 Elantra (this page) | 138 |
| 2014 Elantra | 26 |
| 2015 Elantra | 20 |
| 2016 Elantra | 22 |
| 2017 Elantra | 22 |
Of the 17 model years of Hyundai Elantra we track for airbags problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 138.
Owners have filed 138 airbags complaints against 1 active recall — roughly 138 complaints per campaign.
If the headliner support bracket makes contact with an occupant during a crash, it may cause a laceration injury.
The 2013 Elantra has a consistent history of airbag-system problems spanning warning-light issues and actual deployment failures. The most common complaint is an airbag warning light illuminating between 61,000 and 70,000 miles—typically caused by clock spring failure in the steering column, a wear-related electrical break that Hyundai issued a technical service bulletin (TSB #17-BE-004-1) to address on certain models. However, the fix is not universally applied. Owners report Hyundai denies warranty coverage once mileage exceeds 60,000 miles, leaving replacement costs of $360–$495 out of pocket, despite safety implications.
More serious are documented cases of complete airbag non-deployment in actual crashes. Multiple owners report frontal-impact collisions at speeds ranging from 10 to 40 mph where driver and passenger airbags never deployed, resulting in facial, head, chest, and neck injuries that struck the steering wheel or dashboard. One owner reported side-curtain and side-impact airbags failing to deploy during a 60–65 mph rollover; Hyundai later claimed those airbags are not designed to deploy in rollovers, contradicting owner expectation. Side-impact failures during T-bone collisions also occurred, with passengers sustaining broken collarbones and scalp lacerations.
In several cases, brake failure and airbag non-deployment happened simultaneously. One recent owner reported the brake pedal froze and went to the floor at 49,779 miles after a dealership service, with airbags failing to deploy on impact. Owners also report airbag-light cycling that comes and goes, sometimes tied to steering-wheel position, suggesting intermittent electrical faults that may or may not trigger a full system shutdown. A passenger-side airbag was disabled on one leased vehicle because the occupant weighed under 150 pounds—a design feature the dealership said could not be overridden.
Same Hyundai Elantra airbags reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2014 · 2015
SRS/airbag warning light comes on and stays on, or flickers intermittently, without prior accident or obvious trigger. Owners report the light appearing spontaneously and either remaining illuminated or cycling on and off.
When: Typically reported at 61,000–70,000 miles, but can occur earlier or later; one report at 18,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Red or amber airbag warning light on dashboard; Light remains on continuously or flickers/goes on and off randomly; Light may appear when turning steering wheel or during normal driving
Codes mentioned: B1620 (Airbag Control Module fault), B138200 (Side airbag front passenger resistance too high), High resistance fault code, Clock spring high-resistance condition
Repairs/costs cited: Clock spring replacement quoted at $360–$495 at dealerships; airbag control module replacement quoted at $1,400 plus diagnostic fee of $110–$122. Some owners report replacement of clock spring assembly and steering wheel removal required.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB #17-BE-004-1 (Clock Spring Extended Warranty) issued for certain 2011–2014 Elantra models (sedans), but not consistently applied to hatchback versions with identical parts. Hyundai often denies coverage after 60,000 miles, citing warranty expiration.
In multiple frontal or front-angled crashes, driver and/or passenger airbags do not deploy despite significant front-end damage and impact speeds ranging from 10 mph to 40+ mph. Owners sustained head, neck, chest, and facial injuries as a result.
When: Mileage at failure varies widely: 7,200 miles to 121,000 miles; impacts occurred at speeds of 10–65 mph
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment on frontal impact despite severe front-end damage; Driver hit steering wheel and sustained head/face/chest injuries; Vehicle hood crushed, windshield smashed, transmission failure to engage also reported in one case
Codes mentioned: No diagnostic codes provided by owners or dealers in frontal-deployment failures
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented; vehicles were typically totaled or towed. One owner reported vehicle repaired per unknown recall on 01/09/2018.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: In at least one case (narrative #37), Hyundai halted repairs and stated an investigator would examine the vehicle, with inspection potentially taking 6–8 weeks. Other cases show no manufacturer contact or response.
Side-impact and side-curtain airbags do not deploy during side-T-bone, rollover, or side-swipe incidents. In one rollover at 60–65 mph, Hyundai later claimed side-curtain airbags are not supposed to deploy in rollover events—contradicting owner expectation and industry standard.
When: Incidents reported at various mileages; one rollover at 60–65 mph (narrative #2); other side impacts at 20–40 mph
Symptoms owners cite: No side-impact airbag deployment during T-bone or broadside collisions; No side-curtain airbag deployment during rollover accident; Driver/passenger hit doors or windows; head impacted window causing concussion and traumatic brain injury in one case; Passengers sustained broken collarbones, fractured ribs, scalp lacerations in side-impact cases
Codes mentioned: No diagnostic codes provided
Repairs/costs cited: One vehicle repaired at dealership post-accident (narrative #2); owner reports apparent tampering visible on airbag components in photos (narrative #6). No formal inspection or testing performed by Hyundai in either case.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hyundai stated in one case that side-curtain airbags are 'not supposed to deploy in a rollover accident' and declined further investigation, citing inability to inspect post-accident. Owner disputes this claim based on industry standards.
Two contrasting scenarios: (1) Airbags fail to deploy in low-speed crashes (10 mph frontal impact causing extensive damage); (2) All airbags deploy unnecessarily in a 10 mph frontal crash where the damage appears disproportionate, causing vehicle to be totaled.
When: Incidents reported at 10 mph and under 20 mph impact speeds
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment in 10 mph crash (narrative #34), or all 6 airbags deploy in 10 mph low-angle frontal crash (narrative #4); In deployment case: transmission stuck in drive, hood crushed to windshield, vehicle totaled; owner questions airbag sensitivity calibration
Codes mentioned: No diagnostic codes provided
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle totaled in both cases; repair costs exceeded $12,000 in the over-deployment incident.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: In narrative #4, Hyundai's response was generic acknowledgment of dissatisfaction with vehicle design, with no specific investigation or remedy offered.
Clock spring (contact assembly for driver's airbag SRS circuit) develops high-resistance condition over time, preventing driver's airbag from deploying. The spiral cable assembly fails due to usage wear, breaking continuity in the SRS electrical circuit.
When: Failures reported at 61,000–70,000 miles; one diagnostic at 66,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminates intermittently or permanently; Light flickers when steering wheel is turned; High-resistance electrical condition in driver's airbag circuit
Codes mentioned: High resistance fault code, Clock spring defect diagnostic
Repairs/costs cited: Clock spring replacement cost approximately $495 at dealer. Owner notes that removal of airbag and steering wheel is required, posing safety risk for self-service repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB #17-BE-004-1 issued for 2011–2014 Elantra sedans to address clock spring failure, but Hyundai did not extend coverage to hatchback models with identical parts. Warranty coverage typically expires at 60,000 miles.
Airbag control module develops fault and illuminates warning light. Module requires replacement; failure prevents airbag system function.
When: Reported at approximately 5 years/under 100,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light remains illuminated; Diagnostic code B1620 identified
Codes mentioned: B1620
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement cost quoted at $1,400 plus $110 diagnostic fee. Not covered under factory or extended warranty.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hyundai denied warranty coverage due to mileage and age of vehicle.
Passenger-side airbag light illuminates (indicating 'off') even when an adult passenger is seated. Dealership service advisors state that passengers under 150 pounds will not trigger airbag deployment and no adjustment is available. Airbag light cycles on and off erratically.
When: Reported on newly leased vehicle after short distance driven
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag off-light illuminated despite occupied passenger seat; Airbag light goes on and off randomly throughout use; Wife weighing 103 pounds reported as below threshold for deployment
Codes mentioned: No diagnostic codes provided
Repairs/costs cited: No repair performed; service advisor suggested purchasing a pillow to add weight to seat.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service manager stated that under 150 pounds the airbag will not deploy and no adjustments are possible.
In three separate incidents, brake failure and airbag non-deployment occurred together during collisions. Brake pedal became unresponsive (went to floor or froze), and subsequently airbags did not deploy on impact.
When: Mileage ranges from 49,779 to 101,569 miles; one incident at 49,779 miles after recent dealership service
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal froze, then went to floor without resistance; Brakes failed to engage despite pumping attempts; Vehicle continued at speed despite brake application; Airbags did not deploy upon impact; Driver hit steering wheel or sustained head/chest injuries
Codes mentioned: Campaign 251 mentioned regarding brake ABS system
Repairs/costs cited: One owner (narrative #8) reported being in process of locating repair shop; braking abilities resumed immediately post-impact; no visible fluid leaks observed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner reported being informed that no fix was available for brake ABS recall at time of service (Campaign 251).
During a passenger-side airbag deployment triggered by tire blowout, a trim piece approximately 32 inches long detached from the passenger door area and struck the passenger in the head.
When: Incident involved tire blowout causing deployment
Symptoms owners cite: Trim piece flew off during airbag deployment; Passenger struck in head by detached trim, causing concussion; Emergency room visit required
Codes mentioned: No diagnostic codes provided
Repairs/costs cited: Hyundai performed investigation; no repair documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hyundai stated that airbags deployed as designed but refused to acknowledge the cause of the passenger injury and declined further discussion.
Vehicle unintendedly accelerated while exiting parking lot at low speed (3 mph), causing collision with four parked vehicles and parking signs. Airbags did not deploy. Driver sustained significant injuries including broken patella and skull hematoma.
When: Occurred at 70,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerated unintentionally when entering from parking lot; Airbags failed to deploy; Driver sustained broken right patella, left leg abrasion, skull hematoma, black eyes
Codes mentioned: No diagnostic codes provided
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to residence; insurance company inspecting at time of complaint; no dealer contact made per insurance instruction.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hyundai was not made aware of the failure.
Synthesized from 138 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
It's a meaningful issue. 138 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
Across the 85 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 40,000 and 96,119 miles, with the median around 70,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 40,000; a quarter make it past 96,119. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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.
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.