2001 Hyundai Sonata Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 47about this part
- Share
- 23%of 205 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 63,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 47 complaints about the air bags of the 2001 Hyundai Sonata, 23% of the 205 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 63,000 miles. 17 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 son was in an accident in which someone pulled out of a side road into his path of travel. The front of the Hyundai from just past the grill on driver's side to entire passenger side hit the front driver wheel forward on the other car. Neither the steering wheel nor the passenger side airbag deployed in my Hyundai. He hit with such force the steering wheel was bowed and steering column was broken along with the bottom of the dash where his knees hit.”
NHTSA complaint #10872204, filed 2016-06, 223,000 miles“I got my car in 2002 it is a 2001 sonota. When you push the gas to pull out in front of traffic this car doesn't want to go! I have almost been in several car accidents when I tell the dealership about the problem they tell me nothing is wrong! Also if you look at the complaints you will see that the air bag light keeps coming on that is a safety problem in its self.”
NHTSA complaint #10165197, filed 2006-08, 13,000 miles“Air bag light goes on without reason while driving. Air bag light stays on until car is brought to the dealer. Even when reset, airbag sometimes goes back on within several weeks of being fixed. Car has been in to dealer 9 times in 3 years for air bag related problems. The last time it was brought in the dealer said we would have to pay over $464 for a new ppd sensor. We are not willing to incur this cost with the history of follow-up failure we have experienced.”
NHTSA complaint #10132797, filed 2005-08, 20,109 miles“Air bag warning light illuminated on dashboard, 3rd occurrence. Dealer troubleshooting indicated passenger airbag wiring harness required replacement (not related to previous lights). Out of warranty coverage by 2,269 miles. I believe manufacturer should cover this defect. Dealer informed me that if not corrected air bag might deploy inadvertently. Dealer will not disable the system or tell me how to do so. I should not have to pay for this safety related defect.”
NHTSA complaint #10117945, filed 2005-04, 62,105 miles“Hyundai Sonata 2001 side impact air bag deployed without cause. I was waiting at a stop light when air bag deployed airbag deployed while at a stop, therefore did not cause an accident. Damage to drivers side seat, headache, and left shoulder sore for a couple of days. Took car into be inspected by Hyundai. They refused to inspect without a deposit. (which will not be refunded) in my opinion, this is a defect within the car, and no matter how many miles the car has, airbags should not deployed, unless the car is in an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #10178270, filed 2007-01, 146,000 milesRelated recalls
- 02V105000Apr 9, 2002On certain passenger vehicles, an intermittent condition that leads to the supplemental restraint system (srs) air bag warning light illumination could result…Covers: Hyundai Sonata 1999–2001, XG300 2001
- 01V347000Nov 6, 2001Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The supplemental restraint system (srs) air bag warning light could illuminate due to motion of the side impact air…Covers: Hyundai Sonata 1999–2001
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 6% |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2021 | 4 | 3% |
| 2020 | 7 | 4% |
| 2019 | 9 | 6% |
| 2018 | 4 | 1% |
| 2017 | 22 | 3% |
| 2016 | 21 | 3% |
| 2015 | 25 | 2% |
| 2014 | 31 | 4% |
| 2013 | 104 | 5% |
| 2012 | 170 | 11% |
| 2011 | 419 | 12% |
| 2010 | 20 | 6% |
| 2009 | 30 | 7% |
| 2008 | 137 | 32% |
| 2007 | 257 | 37% |
| 2006 | 435 | 42% |
| 2005 | 55 | 33% |
| 2004 | 46 | 23% |
| 2003 | 43 | 22% |
| 2002 | 51 | 16% |
| 2001 | 47 | 23% |
| 2000 | 43 | 16% |
| 1999 | 31 | 25% |
| 1998 | 6 | 12% |
| 1997 | 8 | 16% |
| 1996 | 3 | 13% |
| 1995 | 15 | 23% |
| 1991 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2001 Hyundai Sonata
69 complaintsSuspension
29 complaintsBrakes
24 complaintsEngine cooling
23 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
18 complaintsVehicle speed control
13 complaintsSteering
10 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsWheels
6 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Hyundai Sonata
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