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Air bagsPart report

1999 Hyundai Elantra Air bags Problems

Complaints
20about this part
Share
16%of 128 total for the year
Median mileage
80,500miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the air bags of the 1999 Hyundai Elantra, 16% of the 128 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,500 miles. 18 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“The air bag and check engine lights stays on all the time. Both driver and rear passenger windows will not work, both must be taped up. Car has had a electrial burning smell off and on for a year. The headlights goes bright while driving. Getting less than 20 mpg gas. Batteries frequently goes dead.”

NHTSA complaint #10096495, filed 2004-10, 62,000 miles

“I have a 99 Hyundai Elantra 4 door. Last week the steering column caught on fire while it was being driven. More specifically, I was at the time in the hardee's drive thru when the smoke and flames started. I was able to get my car to roll out of the drive thru and into the parking lot. I have spoken to a few mechanics who say that it seems like it was a short in the electrical system in the steering wheel. It melted all of the steering column, dash, cracked the windshield with the heat, and other fire damage. The car is now totaled and undriveable. …”

NHTSA complaint #10913774, filed 2016-10

“I was involved in a front end collision (I hit the back bumper of a pickup truck). Although no damage occurred to the truck, my car ended up with almost $5,000 worth of damage. Neither my air bags nor shoulder restraints worked. I ended up hitting my forehead on the front windshield causing some moderate to severe neck trauma. I reported the failure to Hyundai and seem to be getting no help. They insist that there is no problem. I still can sit in my car and move my chest forward against the shoulder restraints as fast as I can and never have the even slow me down. …”

NHTSA complaint #745782, filed 2001-05

“While driving through a toll stop, proceeded to go through another car which pulled in front. Consumer had put on brakes to avoid hitting the other vehicle. However, consumer hit side railing at about 40, and airbags deployed. Consumer felt as though airbags were too forceful, consumer was unable to see out of right eye bucause of airbag deployment.”

NHTSA complaint #856142, filed 2000-02

“While traveling 35-40 MPH the consumers vehicle struck another vehicle in the rear. Upon impact neither air bag deployed and the shoulder belts failed to restrain the driver. The vehicle was totaled from the accident. The owners are aware of (4) similar cases of air bag deployment failure.”

NHTSA complaint #10015276, filed 2003-04

Air bags: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025314%
202412%
202366%
202244%
202122%
202052%
201921%
2018124%
2017324%
2016269%
2015239%
2014328%
201316813%
201212419%
20117718%
20104612%
20094217%
20083812%
20074617%
20065636%
20057152%
200411463%
20034821%
20027020%
200111837%
20003920%
19992016%
1998713%
19972118%
19961414%
19953531%
19943141%

Other parts of the 1999 Hyundai Elantra

Transmission and drivetrain
41 complaints
Engine cooling
22 complaints
Electrical system
18 complaints
Brakes
10 complaints
Equipment
7 complaints
Seat belts
7 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaints
Body and structure
6 complaints
Vehicle speed control
6 complaints
Exterior lighting
4 complaints
Fuel system
4 complaints
Engine
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 1999 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