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Air bagsPart report

2008 Hyundai Elantra Air bags Problems

Complaints
38about this part
Share
12%of 315 total for the year
Median mileage
55,819miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 38 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 Hyundai Elantra, 12% of the 315 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,819 miles. 22 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

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

“My 2008 Hyundai Elantra has the airbags light on for about few years. I also have a problem on my car that is recently starting to have problems starting up. It has tune up, new sensors, new coils, and etc. I bought a fuel pump oem and the pump is not 2 years old.”

NHTSA complaint #11288161, filed 2019-12, 248,800 miles

“While driving on I-95 north in maryland, a motorist cut me off suddenly, when I applied the brakes to slow down, the brakes locked and car swerved to the right, crossed all lanes, and rolled over twice. The air bags did not deploy on driver or passenger side. As a result, I received a fractured sternum.”

NHTSA complaint #10226723, filed 2008-05, 170 miles

“While on vacation in michigan, my spouse and I were hit by a drunk driver. We were traveling north bound on us 127 at 35mph, crossing over addison rd (in the town of addison) when the other driver crossed the road hitting us. (he was arrested at the scene of the accident.) he struck us on the driver's side and dented the front and rear door to the point that neither door could be opened, and buckled the rear fender. …”

NHTSA complaint #10229467, filed 2008-06, 2,200 miles

“I had a new 2008 Hyundai Elantra. The vehicle had only 3,000 miles on it. I hit another vehicle from behind. It was a direct front hit at about 40-45 MPH. The seat belt did not tighten to hold either myself or my passenger back. The air bags for myself and my passenger did not deploy. All professional people (fire dept, mechanics, tow yard, police) stated repeatedly that there was no reason for the air bags and seat belts not to work.”

NHTSA complaint #10234116, filed 2008-07, 3,100 miles

“While driving east toward home, a large SUV or pickup truck came around the curve with bright lights on, thus blinding me. I did not see a car turning left until too late to stop. Resulting in rear ending the other car. The air bags on my Hyundai failed to deploy. Also I do not think the right seat belt did not catch allowing my wife, the passenger to travel to its end and hitting her head on the dash or windshield, also injuring her right shoulder. I did not receive any recalls on seat belts or air bags.”

NHTSA complaint #10490024, filed 2012-12, 55,819 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

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 2008 Hyundai Elantra

Steering
55 complaints
Brakes
52 complaints
Fuel system
45 complaints
Electrical system
31 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
29 complaints
Engine
24 complaints
Exterior lighting
24 complaints
Other or unknown
24 complaints
Vehicle speed control
24 complaints
Engine cooling
17 complaints
Suspension
11 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2008 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