1998 Hyundai Elantra Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 13%of 55 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the air bags of the 1998 Hyundai Elantra, 13% of the 55 complaints for this model year. 5 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.
“While driving down highway traveling 75 MPH consumer, attempting to avoid hitting vehicle in front, applied brakes suddenly and vehicle swerved, hitting another vehicle in the other lane. Upon impact, neither airbag deployed. Contacted dealer and manufacturer.”
NHTSA complaint #860101, filed 2000-04“Was traveling 35-40mph when another vehicle went through stop sign, and hit consumer's vehicle. Then, Elantra rear ended first vehicle. Upon impact, air bags failed to deploy. Driver hit the steering wheel. Driver received emergency treatment. Vehicle totaled.”
NHTSA complaint #876175, filed 2000-12“Vehicle was involved in a frontal collision with another vehicle at 15-20 MPH impact, and both air bags did not deploy. Dealer / manufacturer were not notified at this time. Feel free to provide us with any further details on this matter.”
NHTSA complaint #889087, filed 2001-05Air 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 1998 Hyundai Elantra
13 complaintsEngine cooling
12 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsTires
3 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 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