2012 Hyundai Elantra Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 124about this part
- Share
- 19%of 654 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 89,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 124 complaints about the air bags of the 2012 Hyundai Elantra, 19% of the 654 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 89,000 miles. 25 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I live in missouri where they still have vehicle inspections to renew tags for legally driving. Got in the vehicle and started it I then try to use the steering wheel controls to change radio station would not work then tried the other side of the steering wheel to make a phone call and it wouldn't work then I tried the horn and it would not work. …”
NHTSA complaint #11396101, filed 2021-02, 145,000 miles“Passenger side airbag light comes on and off all the time that someone is sitting in the seat. There is nothing in the seat or a person. It comes on and off while I am driving or sitting at the light. Most of the time, it does not come on when I first start the vehicle. It was repaired once several years and that was $350.00. That stayed on all the time. I think it is a mfg defect.”
NHTSA complaint #11396523, filed 2021-02, 2 miles“The airbag light on my dash came on about a month ago for no apparent reason and I had my car inspected and no codes were shown. The reason for the airbag light is still unknown and I worry that the airbag wont deploy if I get into an accident. I've heard this happening to several different Hyundai Elantra owners and I think there should be a solution for this common problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11308918, filed 2020-02, 109,500 miles“After I turn my car on, all of the warning lights go off except for the airbag light. It continuously stays on whether the car is stationary or in any form of motion. Occasionally, it will go off for a second or two when the steering wheel is turned but it always comes back on and remains lit.”
NHTSA complaint #11404103, filed 2021-03, 140,000 miles“After driving over railroad tracks, the driver side air bag warning light randomly turned on. The light stays on. I went to the Hyundai dealership to have the issue resolved, but they are charging close to $400. I am worried that my air bag system is not functioning properly.”
NHTSA complaint #11386915, filed 2021-01, 105,000 milesRelated recalls
- 13V115000Apr 1, 2013Hyundai Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Elantra vehicles manufactured from November 12, 2010, through March 5, 2013. A support bracket…Covers: Hyundai Elantra 2011–2013
Related 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 2012 Hyundai Elantra
139 complaintsElectrical system
126 complaintsBrakes
99 complaintsSteering
88 complaintsOther or unknown
67 complaintsSuspension
45 complaintsElectronic stability control
44 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
40 complaintsVehicle speed control
27 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
19 complaintsFuel system
18 complaintsExterior lighting
17 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 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