10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 21 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 18 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 65,171 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
The airbag on my 2012 Elantra came on at 101,000 miles. Took to dealers, they did a diagnostic and said the passenger seat sensor was bad. Wanted $1500. To replace the seat.
- Rensselaer, NY, USA
At about 100,000 miles logged on the car, the airbag light came on. It would sometimes turn off during bumps but, ultimately, it came back on and stayed on. The mechanic said that the pin and airbag were bad. They aren't sure of the cause or how it happened but the repair (parts and labor) is well over $1000. There doesn't seem to be a recall related to this and it's not covered by the warranty, as far as I can tell. The airbag issue does not seem to have been caused by anything specific that happened while driving the vehicle.
- Chandler, AZ, USA
Air bag warning light comes on and stays on. Recently replaced battery so it could just be some connection or electrical issue. Dealers claim it's $200 just to check. This should be a free fix even if out of warranty.
- Montara, CA, USA
Air bag light remains on all the time, turned on and never turned off.
- Denver, CO, USA
Air bag light on all the time.
- Little Elm, TX, USA
The air bag light stays on when car is started and stays on while traveling on the road, occasionally will go off if car hits bump on the road, but will come back on when car is started.
- Isleta, NM, USA
My car is rattling when an idol. It sounds clunky, that's the best way I can describe it. It does it at a stop sign, stop light, in park and in place.
- Jacksonville, FL, USA
Since the day I purchased this car with zero miles it would randomly cut off and it would do that even when in drive like it wasnt getting gas. It would not turn over then after 20-30 min it would start right back up and this started right away and has done that ever since. I also had the O2 censor replaced as well. The tires are awful the suspension is even worse then my air bag light cut on out of nowhere and now my steering column is totally messed up. Directly behind the airbag. It clacks back N forth as you move the steering wheel even ever so slightly. If I hit my brakes the wheel shakes and the column rattles and clacks, if I go over bumps in the road or rr tracks same thing, the entire steering wheel shakes violently and rattles and clanks. I have been told by three different shops that this is a common issue with this car and design. The steering column was poorly designed and is going to break if I dont have it replaced. The cost to have this done is almost $1000 and it shouldnt be an issue I have to pay for bc of the poor design. There has been nothing done to the car on my end to cause this and I need help asap bc its my only car and I do not have $1000 to pay to fix a bad steering column that shouldnt be breaking to begin with!
- Hopewell, VA, USA
The contact owned a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while his friend was driving about 45 mph, another vehicle ran the stop light and crashed into the driver's side of the vehicle and caused the vehicle to crash into a tree in an open field of fruit trees. The contact stated that none of the air bags deployed. There was no warning indicators. The driver sustained injuries, including whiplash, bruises and lower back pains that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was totaled and was towed away. The dealer was not called. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the failure would be investigated if the contact provided necessary information. The failure mileage was approximately 246,000.
- Merced, CA, USA
Intermittent airbag light on.
- Panorama City, CA, USA
Upon extensive research and collected complaints, I have discovered a defect in the 2012 Hyundai eleantra airbag sensor light. It will not provide a code on odm reader to identify the specific cause of the airbag light.
- Norwich, CT, USA
Air bag light is constantly illuminated engine has a continual loud ticking noise such as lifters noted appropriately 60,000 miles. Vehicle is still covered by 10/100,000 warranty yet dealer denies any issues with the motor. This is a known issue in California with a pending class action litigation, but not here in nys
- Schenectady, NY, USA
Swerved to avoid hitting deer car went down an embankment going approximately 45 miles per hour picked up speed going down hit a cattle fence a tree on passenger side ultimately slamming head on into two trees before stopping air bag did not deploy when it should.
- Gastonia, NC, USA
Air bag light is on, bad clock spring.
- Las Vegas, NV, USA
So my car all of a sudden started making a strange popping noise while driving the vehicle. Everytime I would turn my steering wheel at a certain angle the wheel would pop. As I drove the car it would continue to make this awful noise until one day im driving down the road and it popped and the steering jerked my car out of the lane. Driving home the wheel was rather stiff and I worried constantly about getting in an accident. My reason for the steering issue is I worry someone will be driving the car and it jerk them into a car coming from the other side of the road which will result in a head on collision. Second issue is the electronical system in general. Everytime I start my car it doesnt start all the way and it dies out mid driving., I ended up pulling out of an up hill parking lot and not being able to stop the car at the stop sign because the car died out after I had it in drive. I had to pull up and bump the curb in order to stop the car from rolling out into oncoming traffic while leaving the parking lot. I am not sure if its dealing with the ignition in general but that would definatley be a saftey concern. My other issue is the airbag light will not go off. After a certain milage the light came on and I can not get any mechanic to even attempt to fix it over fear of air bag deployment and having to total the vehicle upon repair. I am seriously terrified if I get into a vehicle accident the air bags wont go off at all and it will result in either a really severe injury or even be fatal from airbag failure.
- Haleyville, AL, USA
Clicking/thumbing noise when you turn steering wheel either way. Was told steering coupling issue, cost approx. $600 to repair. It looks like numerous people have reported. Should be recalled by now, especially since the dealership states it's a safety issue!! numerous lights keep going out, was told it was a wiring issue! airbag light on dash on.
- Columbia, MD, USA
The dashboard airbag light has come on.
- Milford, CT, USA
The airbag light on my dash came on about a month ago for no apparent reason and I had my car inspected and no codes were shown. The reason for the airbag light is still unknown and I worry that the airbag wont deploy if I get into an accident. I've heard this happening to several different Hyundai Elantra owners and I think there should be a solution for this common problem.
- Doral, FL, USA
My airbag light suddenly came on about 2 years ago and hasn't disappeared since. I stays on at all times. I have hear several complaints from other Hyundai customers as well. This is a major safety concern and no one will even touch my car for this reason.
- Murrayville, GA, USA
- Brookhaven, GA, USA