2011 Hyundai Elantra Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 77about this part
- Share
- 18%of 433 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 99,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 77 complaints about the air bags of the 2011 Hyundai Elantra, 18% of the 433 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 99,000 miles. 12 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.
“While I was driving on a non-highway street my airbag light turned on. I was not turning, I did not hit any bumps, I have no idea what could have caused it. The light will stay on for a few minutes, then it will shut off and repeat. This has been occurring for about 1 week now.”
NHTSA complaint #11327703, filed 2020-06, 120,028 miles“The airbag light comes on and off regularly for some days, then finally it stays on permanently. The steering wheel lights doesn't come on when I turn on the headlights. The car bounces and sway to the side each time I hit a pothole no matter how small the pothole is.”
NHTSA complaint #11206161, filed 2019-05, 134,000 miles“'takata recall' (1) suspension problem.. It drifts or bounces to one side when I hit a bump or when I go into a pothole... I have had to take it to different auto mechanics to fix this but haven't gotten any solution.. Changed sway bar links, tie-rods, struts and ball joints, still no improvement. (2) steering issues - steering feels stiff when turning and sometimes makes funny sounds (3) clunking noise in front right side of car”
NHTSA complaint #11184484, filed 2019-03, 110,000 miles“I have 2011 Hyundai Elantra. The air bag light came on at approximately 118000 m for no reason whatsoever. Took to dealer & was told car isn't part of recall, so I would need to pay for repair of approx $300. I didn't repair as I see same complaint from many owners. Also, all back end of car lighting has to be replaced every 6 months. There has got to be a defect with some way it was manufactured.”
NHTSA complaint #10969508, filed 2017-03, 118,000 miles“I was involved in a crash where I was hit by another vehicle on the passenger side front fender and then was spun around and hit the back of the other vehicle on the rear passenger quarter panel, then jumped the curb and hit a tree. None of the air bags deployed. I hit my head on the window or the center post, not sure. The vehicle that hit me was traveling at approximately 30-40 MPH.”
NHTSA complaint #10650505, filed 2014-10, 54,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11036632Aug 26, 2026The warranty coverage for the clock spring has been extended to 15 years with unlimited mileage from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use. Refer to the…
- 11037231Aug 25, 2026The warranty coverage for the clock spring has been extended to 15 years with unlimited mileage from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use for original &…
- 11037230Aug 25, 2026The warranty coverage for the clock spring has been extended to 15 years with unlimited mileage from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use. Refer to the…
- 11032523Apr 10, 2026The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province…
- 11032522Apr 10, 2026The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured by…
Air 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 2011 Hyundai Elantra
92 complaintsSteering
75 complaintsSuspension
66 complaintsElectrical system
51 complaintsBrakes
44 complaintsOther or unknown
35 complaintsElectronic stability control
34 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
21 complaintsWheels
18 complaintsVehicle speed control
16 complaintsTires
12 complaintsExterior lighting
10 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 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