2013 Hyundai Elantra airbags problems

Related recalls

• Recall 13V115000Apr 1, 2013186,250 vehicles
  AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW · STRUCTURE

  Hyundai Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Elantra vehicles manufactured from November 12, 2010, through March 5, 2013. A support bracket attached to the headliner may become displaced during a side curtain airbag deployment.

  Risk: If the headliner support bracket makes contact with an occupant during a crash, it may cause a laceration injury.

  Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will apply adhesive strips to the headliner, free of charge. The safety recall began during April 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 109.

What owners say

1. Filed Sep 10, 2026CTAirbags

   Drivers air bag high resistance too high (2nd stage) B149000- PODS(passenger occupant detecting system) sensor (Bladder) Defect Start with replacing the clock spring assembly maybe be other problems. Airbag uncertain if operational. Not covered by Hyundai's Clock Spring Extended Warranty despite fitting within model year. Unacceptable and needs to be replaced by free and expanded within coverage by Hyundai corporation.

   NHTSA complaint #11763304 · source
2. Filed Jul 10, 2026140,980 miCAAirbags

   The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the passenger’s side air bag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the air bag module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 11,511.

   NHTSA complaint #11749597 · source
3. Filed May 5, 2026CACrash1 injuredTowedAirbags

   The airbags failed to deploy when I was in a car accident on 03/31/26. I was rear ended while at an intersection. The car that rear ended me had airbags that deployed upon impact. My car was the only car in which the airbags did not deploy despite the high impact. Not only was I rear ended, but I was slammed into another vehicle in front of me and into a streetlight/streetpole. My car is now totaled. My car sustained the most damage and my body. The airbags are available for…

   NHTSA complaint #11735715 · source
4. Filed Jan 7, 2026MOAirbagsBrakesOther / Unknown

   I have had a couple of issues that I have had others tell me or read online that they have had the same issues 1- When I bought the car, which was used at the time. Just a couple of years ago I drove it off of the lot and it had a break issue. I had to take it towed back to the dealership bc something broke underneath and the breaks were failing. So they fixed the problem supposedly. I only had a 30 day warranty and after the 30 days the breaks started grinding every time I…

   NHTSA complaint #11709298 · source
5. Filed Oct 12, 2025NYAirbags

   Description of the Issue: The airbag (SRS) warning light on my 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT Hatchback intermittently turns on and off and flickers when turning the steering wheel, indicating a potential fault in the spiral cable assembly (clock spring). Hyundai issued a Clock Spring Extended Warranty (TSB #17-BE-004-1) for certain vehicles, but my vehicle is not covered. A complete failure of the clock spring may prevent the driver’s airbag from deploying in a crash, creating a…

   NHTSA complaint #11692937 · source
6. Filed Mar 28, 2025MSAirbags

   Clock spring failures are a well known issue with Hyundai/Kia models from the early 2010s. Hyundai has offered an extended warranty on most models, but has excluded the GT models, even though they use the same parts. My clock spring has failed, disabling the horn and driver air bag functionality.

   NHTSA complaint #11651234 · source
7. Filed Jan 3, 2025MAAirbags

   Air bag light is on constantly, goes off if my steering wheel is turned a certain way. But will come back on immediately after if turned and will not go off of dashboard

   NHTSA complaint #11633926 · source
8. Filed Nov 19, 2024WAAirbagsElectrical System

   Airbag light and steering wheel control malfunction due to clock spring. Known issue can cause airbag not to deploy. Dealer refused to fix issue.

   NHTSA complaint #11626200 · source
9. Filed Oct 30, 2024TXAirbags

   The air bag warning light is mostly ON, but turns off intermittently. I was told this is a safety issue and will cost hundreds of dollars to fix. I am very anxious about this. I did not find any recall notices but did see many complaints about this issue for 2013 Hyundai Elantras.

   NHTSA complaint #11622843 · source
10. Filed Sep 9, 2024NE1 injuredAirbags

    My daughter had a tire blow out which caused the passenger side airbag to deploy. A piece of trim approximately 32 inches long flew off from the passenger's side hitting my daughter in the head and causing a concussion and requiring an emergency room visit.. Hyundai performed an investigation and stated the airbags deployed like they should have but refused to acknowledge the cause of my daughter's injury and would not discuss it further.

    NHTSA complaint #11613635 · source
11. Filed Aug 23, 2024FLAirbags

    At approximately 67,000 miles the airbag light on the instrument cluster has become permanently illuminated. This appears to be a common issue, causing Hyundai to extend the warranty on the clock spring; however, the GT model is not covered by this technical service bulletin. This issue may impact the deployment of the airbags and so should be a safety recall rather than a TSB which doesn't even cover all affected models.

    NHTSA complaint #11610573 · source
12. Filed Jul 26, 2024TXAirbagsElectrical System

    There is a on going issue with clock spring failing on 2011-2014 Hyundai models. My model is not covered under their extended warranty cause I have a hatchback version of the Elantra, which uses the same parts. I have already replaced my clock spring at 2019 and again the issue has come in 2024. My air bag light is on, my car horn doesn't work and buttons on the steering wheel. Feel like this is a huge safety issue as I cannot communicate with other drives with my horn and I…

    NHTSA complaint #11604708 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology