At the shop, Hyundai airbag issues have a recognizable signature. 2,992 documented complaints across 116 year-model entries from 2005 to 2025 is consistent with what we see come in. 2006 Hyundai Sonata tops the list, but the pattern repeats across years. Multiple generations are affected. 11 fatality reports on file with NHTSA tied to this category on Hyundai vehicles. That elevates this from nuisance to safety-critical. Across the 1,748 complaints reporting odometer mileage, the median failure lands at about 70,977 miles. Average shop fix runs about $1,100 — not catastrophic, but it adds up over time. Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup before you buy. Takata-era inflators are still being recalled. The dealer fixes them free.
ProblemsByVin HYUNDAI / AIRBAGS
116 model-year entries · 2005–2025
Hyundai airbags problems
2,992 owner complaints filed with NHTSA against Hyundai vehicles for airbags issues. 25 active recall campaigns. See airbags across all makes →
Complaints
2,992
Recalls
25
Year-models
116
Avg fix
$1,100
713crashes
14fires
786injuries
11fatalities
Worst-affected Hyundai model-years for airbags Top 25 by complaint volume
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
2006 Hyundai Sonata
398 complaints · ~$1,100 critical
2007 Hyundai Sonata
233 complaints · ~$1,100 severe
2013 Hyundai Elantra
137 complaints · 1 recall · ~$1,100 severe
2012 Hyundai Sonata
132 complaints · ~$1,100 severe
2008 Hyundai Sonata
123 complaints · 1 recall · ~$1,100 severe
2012 Hyundai Elantra
107 complaints · ~$1,100 severe
2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
89 complaints · ~$1,100 severe
2013 Hyundai Sonata
84 complaints · 1 recall · ~$1,100 severe
2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
71 complaints · 2 recalls · ~$1,100 critical
2011 Hyundai Elantra
68 complaints · ~$1,100 severe
2005 Hyundai Elantra
65 complaints · 2 recalls · ~$1,100 severe
2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
60 complaints · 1 recall · ~$1,100 severe
2006 Hyundai Azera
53 complaints · ~$1,100 critical
2006 Hyundai Elantra
51 complaints · ~$1,100 severe
2005 Hyundai Sonata
46 complaints · ~$1,100 severe
2010 Hyundai Elantra
42 complaints · ~$1,100 severe
2009 Hyundai Elantra
41 complaints · 1 recall · ~$1,100 severe
2007 Hyundai Azera
38 complaints · ~$1,100 severe
2007 Hyundai Accent
38 complaints · ~$1,100 severe
2007 Hyundai Elantra
37 complaints · ~$1,100 severe
2008 Hyundai Elantra
33 complaints · 1 recall · ~$1,100 severe
2008 Hyundai Accent
33 complaints · ~$1,100 severe
2006 Hyundai Tucson
32 complaints · ~$1,100 severe
2009 Hyundai Santa Fe
28 complaints · 1 recall · ~$1,100 severe
2009 Hyundai Sonata
28 complaints · ~$1,100 severe
Active recalls — Hyundai airbags 12 on file
On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with an occupant classification system (ocs) the right front seat of the vehicle may misclassify certain small children seated on the front edge of the seat as an adult
The possibility of misclassification of certain small children as an adult may allow the right front airbag to deploy in a frontal collision crash or the side impact airbag to deploy in a side collision crash; severe injury or death could occur.
Fix: Dealers will ensure that the vehicle's ocs will properly classify certain small children when seated on the front edge of the seat and will disable the right front airbags. Dealers will reprogram the vehicle's ocs electronic control unit to provide an increased margin for recognition of certain small children. The recall began on december 6, 2005. Owners may contact Hyundai of puerto rico at 1-800-981-0188.
On certain vehicles equipped with an occupant classification system (ocs) the right front seat of the vehicle may misclassify certain small children seated on the front edge of the seat as an adult
The possibility of misclassification of certain small children as an adult may allow the right front airbag to deploy in a frontal collision crash or the side impact airbag to deploy in a side collision crash; severe injury or death could occur.
Fix: Dealers will ensure that the vehicle's ocs will properly classify certain small children when seated on the front edge of the seat and will disable the right front airbags. Dealers will reprogram the vehicle's ocs electronic control unit to provide an increased margin for recognition of certain small children. The recall began on december 21, 2005. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
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 the event of a crash, an air bag that does not inflate fully increases the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2006 through 2009 azera vehicles manufactured from september 27, 2005, through october 1, 2008
The seat occupant is at an increased risk of injury should the air bag not deploy as intended.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners and repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on february 22, 2010. Owners may contact Hyundai customer assistance center at 1-800-633-5151.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Santa Fe and Santa Fe HEV vehicles
An air bag that deploys unintentionally can increase the risk of an injury. An air bag that does not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the wiring harness as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 22, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 265.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Palisade vehicles equipped with dark premium suede seats
Deactivated front passenger air bags will not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the ODS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 26th, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 249.
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2007 through 2009 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured from April 19, 2006, through July 7, 2008
Improper classification or detection may cause the front passenger airbag not to deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the front passenger.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will update the classification software free of charge. The safety recall began on September 7, 2012. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Azera vehicles manufactured May 22, 2012, through November 23, 2012
If the occupant is incorrectly classified, in the event of a crash necessitating airbag deployment, the airbag may deploy with greater or lesser force than appropriate, resulting in an increased risk of injury.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will recalibrate the airbag system. The recall beagan on August 13, 2013. Hyundai's recall number is "Campaign 111." Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2010 tucson vehicles
If "air bag" warning lamp is illuminated, the passenger air bag will deploy if a crash of sufficient force to require front air bag deployment is experienced, and will not be deactivated if a child is seated in the right front seating position, which may increase the risk of injury to a child front passenger.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the pods module free of charge. Hyundai anticipates owners notification began by telephone on february 15 2010 and the notification was mailed on march 5, 2010. Owners may contact Hyundai customer assistance center at 1-800-633-5151.
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2016 Sonata vehicles manufactured March 28, 2016 through April 12, 2016
A frontal air bag that does not adequately protect the driver's neck may increase their risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 148.
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Hyundai Sonata passenger cars, manufactured from January 24, 2012, through June 21, 2012
The curtain airbag may inflate without deployment command and increase the risk of injury to occupants of the vehicle. Additionally, an unexpected deployment would be a significant driver distraction and would limit the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Hyundai dealers will notify owners, and dealers will replace the curtain side airbags free of charge. This recall began on August 31, 2012. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Palisade vehicles
Improper side curtain air bag deployment increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Dealers will install a protective film over the rear window and remove padding, as necessary free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed beginning March 13, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated May 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 292. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 24, 2026.
Common questions
How many Hyundai airbags complaints are on file with NHTSA?
2,992 complaints across 116 model-year entries from 2005 to 2025. 25 active recall campaigns cover airbags issues across the Hyundai lineup.
Which Hyundai model has the most airbags complaints?
The 2006 Hyundai Sonata leads with 398 complaints in this category. Next: 2007 Sonata (233) and 2013 Elantra (137).
What does it cost to fix Hyundai airbags problems?
Independent shops average $1,100 for airbags repairs across the Hyundai lineup. Dealer pricing tends to run twenty to forty percent higher. Specific cost depends on the failure mode and parts availability.
Are there Hyundai airbags recalls?
Yes — 12 active recall campaigns cover airbags on Hyundai vehicles. Recall fixes are free regardless of mileage or warranty status. The list below shows current campaigns with their NHTSA numbers.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database.
Editorial commentary written by Shop Foreman, an independent contributor to ProblemsByVin
and not affiliated with Hyundai.
Severity ratings derive from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities on the NHTSA complaint and recall record.
Repair cost averages reflect independent-shop pricing and may differ in your area.