1996 Hyundai Elantra Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 14%of 100 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the air bags of the 1996 Hyundai Elantra, 14% of the 100 complaints for this model year. 7 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“In this accident I was travelling at about 45mph when I came to an intersection. The light was red and about to turn green. When the light turned green the car that was sitting at the intersection did not go. I ran directly in the back of a 1998 chevy cavilar. I hit the steering wheel and the wind sheild. The air bag didn't deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #706090, filed 1999-04“I reported this information given to you to the main company in the month of august on several occasions; however, I have not received a response. In my opinion, this is totally unfair because I am making payments on an automobile that is literally falling apart. I feel that it Hyundai motor finance company should have made some preparation to satisfy their customer,one who has an excellent paying history. I am very dissatified with this product and would like a better automobile, one in which I would feel comfortable driving and paying for in the remainder years. Please help! …”
NHTSA complaint #700032, filed 1998-10“While driving about 50 MPH and crossing a green light another vehicle was oncoming traffic trying to make a turn in front of consumer's vehicle, but consumer could not avoid crashing into it. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #880169, filed 2001-02“As consumer was driving he had to swerve to avoid hitting another car. Vehicle went up on a curb, causing both airbags to deploy. Windshield was cracked by airbags/ front end was pushed back. Please add additional information.”
NHTSA complaint #889904, filed 2001-06“When vehicle was involved in a inter-sectional crash, traveling about 25 MPH, there was no deployment of air bags. The vehicle was totalled. The crash buckled the fire wall.”
NHTSA complaint #816655, filed 1997-09Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 14% |
| 2024 | 1 | 2% |
| 2023 | 6 | 6% |
| 2022 | 4 | 4% |
| 2021 | 2 | 2% |
| 2020 | 5 | 2% |
| 2019 | 2 | 1% |
| 2018 | 12 | 4% |
| 2017 | 32 | 4% |
| 2016 | 26 | 9% |
| 2015 | 23 | 9% |
| 2014 | 32 | 8% |
| 2013 | 168 | 13% |
| 2012 | 124 | 19% |
| 2011 | 77 | 18% |
| 2010 | 46 | 12% |
| 2009 | 42 | 17% |
| 2008 | 38 | 12% |
| 2007 | 46 | 17% |
| 2006 | 56 | 36% |
| 2005 | 71 | 52% |
| 2004 | 114 | 63% |
| 2003 | 48 | 21% |
| 2002 | 70 | 20% |
| 2001 | 118 | 37% |
| 2000 | 39 | 20% |
| 1999 | 20 | 16% |
| 1998 | 7 | 13% |
| 1997 | 21 | 18% |
| 1996 | 14 | 14% |
| 1995 | 35 | 31% |
| 1994 | 31 | 41% |
Other parts of the 1996 Hyundai Elantra
20 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
20 complaintsElectrical system
14 complaintsFuel system
13 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
13 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsTires
3 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Hyundai Elantra
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology