1997 Hyundai Elantra Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 21about this part
- Share
- 18%of 115 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 141,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the air bags of the 1997 Hyundai Elantra, 18% of the 115 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 141,000 miles. 14 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“1997 Hyundai Elantra, my car got totaled on 5/18/2015,. I received a concussion and joint pain all over for months from a collision that happened this day. My airbag failed to deploy. I was going 40 to 45 MPH when a van made a right hand turn in front of me. Her fault, I slammed on my brakes, but it was too late to do any good. My head hit the steering wheel. I am still having problems. I had no warning indicator light before this happened. I contacted NHTSA on 5/19/15 made a complaint. …”
NHTSA complaint #10746386, filed 2015-08, 145,000 miles“Traveling west on adam shepherds pkwy, I had a green light, lady opposite side turned left in front of me, resulted in collision. Her fault. Witnesses said she hesitated but went anyway. She was supposed to yield. I could of been killed! My front dual air bags didn't deploy. I can hardly move my right arm, my back, my neck my chest hurts. I was taken then to norton's emergency room . I can't sit or lay down or stand too long. Can't hold on to anything. Very sore, strained muscles and bruising of muscles.”
NHTSA complaint #10717302, filed 2015-05, 141,000 miles“Driver side and passenger side airbags failed to depoy during a 35mph front end collision. Driver sustained injuries to neck and chest area. Consumer stated that airbag light was functoning properly. Dealer has been contacted.”
NHTSA complaint #8002323, filed 2002-01“While driving, the frontal air bags deployed without warning. When this occurred, the consumer hit the brakes while on a wet surface, lost control, hit the bank and almost over turned.”
NHTSA complaint #10029961, filed 2003-11“While traveling 40mph another vehicle crossed into wrong lane, and it hit the Hyundai on driver's rear, after it had fishtailed & hit barrier. Upon impact, air bags failed to deploy. Driver was treated in emergency room & released.”
NHTSA complaint #864807, filed 2000-07Air 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 1997 Hyundai Elantra
31 complaintsEngine cooling
20 complaintsFuel system
20 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
13 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsElectrical system
10 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsTires
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Hyundai Elantra
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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