2006 Hyundai Elantra
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 155 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 20th highest complaint count among 26 Elantra model years with reports.
Of the 2006 reports, 28 involved a crash. 23 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Exterior lightingJul 21, 2009
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 3,011 MODEL YEAR 2005-2007 ELANTRA, TUCSON, SONATA, AZERA AND ACCENT VEHICLES. A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO FAIL TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED OR MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED. A DEFECTIVE STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY ALSO AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE BRAKE-TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK FEATURE SO THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE SHIFT OUT OF THE "PARK" POSITION. IT MAY ALSO CAUSE THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) MALFUNCTION LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, AND IT MAY NOT DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.
ANY OF THESE MALFUNCTIONS COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI OF PUERTO RICO CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-787-999-4310.
Campaign 09V280000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
56 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Seats, Mar 13, 2014, crash
INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WHERE DASH AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUES TO GO ON AND OFF, WHETHER PASSENGER SEAT IS OCCUPIED OR NOT. PROBLEM STARTED TO OCCUR SHORTLY AFTER REAR END COLLISION, AND DIAGNOSIS FROM HYUNDAI DEALER POINTED TO DEFECTIVE RIGHT FRONT SEAT MAT AND SENSOR. DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR COSTS ESTIMATED TO BE $1500.00. INSURANCE CARRIER DENIES CONNECTION BETWEEN REAR END COLLISION AND AIR BAG LIGHT/SEAT PROBLEM. WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT OUR SAFETY WHILE USING 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WITH INTERMITTENT AIR BAG LIGHT, AND NUMEROUS OTHER AIR BAG RELATED COMPLAINTS FOR THIS PARTICULAR MAKE AND MODEL. CAN MANUFACTURER COMMENT AND HELP CUSTOMERS AND ADDRESS THIS UNUSUAL DEFECT OCCURRENCE, AND SHOULD RECALL BE MADE DUE TO NUMEROUS RELATED AIR BAG COMPLAINTS IN THE SYSTEM? *TR
Air bags, Mar 10, 2014
2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIR BAG MALFUNCTION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED, AS HE WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. HE SUFFERED INJURIES TO HIS FACE AND NECK. *JB..UPDATED 03/24/14 *BF UPDATED 06/03/14
Air bags, Feb 4, 2014
AIR BAG LIGHT RANDOMLY ILLUMINATES IF A PASSENGER IS SEATED IN THE CAR. HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP DEMANDS $100 JUST TO LOOK AT THE CAR WITH NO WORK PERFORMED AND SAYS THAT THE PROBLEM IS PROBABLY A "LIGHTER WEIGHT" PERSON OR SOMEONE SITTING "INCORRECTLY" IN THE SEAT. AS THIS IS NOT THE CASE, AND THE PROBLEM OCCURS NO MATTER WHO IS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THERE IS GRAVE CONCERN THAT THE AIRBAGS WILL FAIL IF INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT - OR WILL DEPLOY AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. CONSIDERING HYUNDAI'S HISTORICAL ISSUES WITH AIR BAGS AND RECALLS ON MODEL YEARS SURROUNDING THE 2006 MODEL AND COMPLAINTS FOUND ALL OVER THE INTERNET RELATED TO AIRBAG ISSUES FOR THIS MODEL YEAR AS WELL, IT IS WITHOUT A DOUBT A MANUFACTURING ISSUE. WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE AN INVESTIGATION AND OFFICIAL RECALL IN PLACE TO RESOLVE THE SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Air bags, Sep 24, 2013
AIR BAGS DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ADVANCED AIR BAG SYSTEM. THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) INSTALLED IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT OF THE VEHICLE MAY MISCLASSIFY A CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT (CRS) AS AN ADULT. THIS MAY OCCUR IF THE CRS IS INSTALLED AFTER AN ADULT HAS BEEN SEATED IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT. IF THERE HAS NOT BEEN A 'KEY ON' ' KEY OFF' CYCLE WITH THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT EMPTY PRIOR TO INSTALLATION OF THE CRS. DAMAGE: THE POSSIBILITY OF MISCLASSIFICATION OF A CRS AS AN ADULT MAY ALLOW THE RIGHT FRONT AIRBAG OR SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG TO DEPLOY IN A CRASH AND COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE RIGHT FRONT OCCUPANT. *JS
Air bags, Oct 3, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA . THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 35-45 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 42,000.
Air bags, Sep 27, 2012
PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG OFF- WARNING INDICATOR WOULD COME ON AT INAPPROPRIATE TIMES .WHEN IT SHOULD BE ON , NO RIDER IN SEAT IT WOULD NOT BE LIT. WHEN RIDER IN PASSENGER SEAT, THE WARNING INDICATOR WOULD BE ON. IT WOULD FUNCTION RIGHT SOMETIMES AND NOT AT OTHERS. NOW IT NO LONGER WORKS AT ALL . AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR IN DRIVER CENTER GAUGE CONSOLE IS NOW ON ALWAYS. THIS LEAVES YOU WONDERING WILL THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM WILL WORK OR NOT . THE HYUNDAI'S SISTER COMPANY KIA HAD A RECALL ON THEIR AIR BAG SYSTEM AND THIS LEFT ME HOPE FULL HYUNDAI WOULD RIGHT THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Air bags, Jul 23, 2012
AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYS ON. HYUNDAI HAD RECALLS ON 2005 AND 2007-2009 YEARS MODELS. MY CAR WAS BUILT ON 6/16/2006 AND THE RECALL FOR THE 2007 WAS 7/14/2006. THEY HAVE KNOWN ISSUES WITH THE AIR BAGS IN A NUMBER OF YEAR MODELS. THE 2006 YEAR MODEL NEEDS TO BE INCLUDE IN THESE RECALLS. IS IT A SAFETY ISSUE AND HAVING A DISABLED WIFE RIDING WITH ME MAKES ME FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING IT. THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF ISSUES WITH THIS YEAR MODEL ALL OVER THE INTERNET. *TR
Air bags, Nov 10, 2011
MY AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IF I AM IN AN ACCIDENT. THE REPAIR COST IS OVER $600.00. IN MY OPINON THIS COULD BE A POSSIBLE RECALL ISSUE. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Nov 3, 2011
PROBABLE FIRE HAZARD: PROBLEM WITH FREQUENT BURNING OUT OF FUSES TO CIGARETTE LIGHTER (CHARGER), SOME DASH LIGHTS (BACK LIGHT FOR DIGITAL RADIO CHANNEL INDICATOR) EITHER NO LONGER WORK OR COME OFF AND ON (ASH TRAY LIGHT), AC AND FAN KNOBS--USED TO HAVE TO TAP ON THEM TO GET THEM TO LIGHT, ACTED ALMOST LIKE A DIMMER SWITCH, SOMETIMES HAD TO TAP SEVERAL TIMES TO GET TO TURN ON, AND SOMETIMES KNOB BACK LIGHTING ON, BUT DIM, AND HAD TO TAP TO GET FULL POWER TO BULBS, CD PLAYER OVERHEATING AND STOPPED WORKING--GIVES ERROR MESSAGE, (HAD SIMILAR CD PLAYER OVERHEATING WITH A 2003 MITSUBISHI LANCER I OWNED IN EARLY TO MID-2000S, BUT CD PLAYER CONTINUED TO WORK--ELANTRA DOES NOT WORK MORE THAN A FEW SECONDS BEFORE EJECTING CD.) HEADLIGHTS BURNING OUT TOO FREQUENTLY (INCLUDING LAST TIME, WHEN HEADLIGHT REMOVED ON PASSENGER SIDE, LIGHT WENT OUT ON DRIVER'S SIDE AS WELL.) HEADLIGHT HAD SHORT AND WOULD COME BACK ON WHEN I BANGED ON LENS WITH FIST FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, BECAME MORE AND MORE FREQUENT UNTIL IF FINALLY BURNED OUT. CONCERNED OF RISK OF ELECTRICAL FIRE AS ENGINE AREA BECOMES HOT. NOTE THAT CLEAR-COAT ON HOOD OVER EACH HEADLIGHT AREA AND OVER FUSE RELAY BOX AREA BECAME YELLOW, THEN BRITTLE, PEELING OFF IN PAST 6 MONTHS. PURCHASED VEHICLE IN JULY 2008 OR 2009? BELIEVE IT HAD ABOUT 63,000 MILES ON IT THEN--CURRENTLY 138,000 MILES. AIRBAG LIGHT SAYS OFF WHEN 200 LB. HUSBAND SEATED ON PASSENGER SIDE ON OCCASION RECENTLY NOTICED IN LAST YEAR. *TR
Air bags, Aug 16, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT HAD BEEN ILLUMINATED ON A CONSISTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,000.
Air bags, Jul 19, 2011, crash
I HAVE 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA, I LET MY DAUGHTER DRIVE IT AND SHE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION AND THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS DEMOLISHED. I WAS SHOCKED THAT THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I FIND THIS VERY DISTURBING, I CAN'T BELIEVE WE HAVE BEEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WITH A FALSE SENSE OF SAFETY. I AM JUST SHOCKED THAT HIS COULD HAPPEN AND I WOULD HOPE THAT HYUNDAI WOULD INVESTIGATE. HOW MANY OTHER DRIVERS ARE OUT THERE WITH THAT FALSE SENSE OF SAFETY. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED SO THAT OTHER PEOPLE CAN BE WARNED OF THE HAZARDS THAT IF INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. *KB
Air bags, Jul 12, 2011, crash
CAR FLIPPED OVER 3 TIMES AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. *TT
Air bags, Jul 11, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHENEVER A PASSENGER WAS POSITIONED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE.
Air bags, Jun 7, 2011
"PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" WARNING ACTIVATES WITH A FULL SIZED INDIVIDUAL IN THE SEAT. WHEN REPORTED TO THE DEALER, WAS TOLD THE PASSENGER HAD TO BE SEATED FACING COMPLETELY FORWARD WITH LEGS POSITIONED DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THEM WITH FEET ON THE FLOOR (KNEES BENT, RATHER THAN LEGS EXTENDED STRAIGHT OUT). IF PASSENGER BODY POSITION IS SO STRICT, I AM CONCERNED THAT THE AIRBAG IS UNRELIABLE FOR REALISTIC DRIVING CONDITIONS. DEALER FINALLY SAID THEY COULD REPLACE THE "SENSOR MAT" IN THE SEAT, BUT DID NOT OFFER THIS UNTIL THE CAR WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Air bags, Apr 23, 2011
I HAVE A 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA THAT WAS MANUFACTURED FEBRUARY 4, 2006. WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR THE AIR BAG LIGHT IN THE DASH ILLUMINATED WHEN A POT HOLE WAS HIT BUT TURNED OFF WHEN DRIVEN OVER RAILROAD TRACKS. AIR BAG LIGHT RECENTLY CAME ON AGAIN NOW THAT CAR IS OVER 50,000 MILES AND OUR OF WARRANTY DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THAT THE SRS HARNESSES DRIVER AND PASSENGER NEED TO BE FULLY REPLACED. THESE PARTS COST OVER 1200.00 WITHOUT LABOR AND NEITHER HAVE BEEN RECALLED IN THIS YEAR AND MODEL. DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT NONE OF THE AIRBAGS IN THE VEHICLE WILL WORK WHILE THIS LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED. PASSENGER SEAT IS OPERATED BY A WEIGHT SENSOR AND PREVIOUSLY HAD ILLUMINATED PROPERLY UNTIL I PAID THE DEALERSHIP TO LOOK AT MY CAR. I NOTICED LATER THAT EVENING THAT NOW THE LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATING IN REGARD TO THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW AND HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY WRECKS. *TR
Air bags, Jan 16, 2011
AIR BAG DASH LIGHT CONSTANTLY LIT AND PASSENGER AIR BAG INDICATOR CONSTANTLY OFF EVEN WITH PASSENGERS SITTING IN IT OR EVEN IF THE SEAT IS EMPTY. *LN
Air bags, Nov 27, 2010, crash
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE OWNER WOULD HAVE EXPECTED THE SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG TO DEPLOY AND OFFER PROTECTION AGAINST INJURY. DESPITE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE ELANTRA AND THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT (I.E. STEERING WHEEL) AIRBAG, THE SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE ELANTRA TOOK A DIRECT HIT FROM ANOTHER VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY A 90 DEGREE ANGLE (I.E. IT WAS "T-BONED"). THE FORCE OF THE IMPACT SPUN THE ELANTRA 180 DEGREES FROM THE DIRECTION IT WAS TRAVELING. THE IMPACT BEGINS ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR, BUT IS DEEPEST IN THE BACK-SEAT PASSENGER'S DOOR. THE MAXIMUM DEPTH OF THE INDENTATION IS APPROXIMATELY 6 INCHES INWARD AND IS APPROXIMATELY 20 INCHES WIDE. THE VEHICLE THAT HIT THE ELANTRA WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH.
Air bags, Sep 9, 2010, crash
I WAS IN A WRECK AND WAS HIT IN THE FRONT RIGHT AT THE HEADLIGHT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. WHEN THE HIT HAPPENED THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, HOWEVER THE AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED. THE FRAME OF THE CAR IS BENT AND LOOKS LIKE THE CAR WILL BE TOTALED. *TR
Air bags, Jul 12, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER MADE REPAIRS TO THE AIR BAG SENSOR YET THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 50,547.
Air bags, Jul 4, 2009, crash
I WAS TRAVELING NORTH THROUGH AN INTERSECTION (WITH A GREEN LIGHT) AT ABOUT 35-40 MPH. A MAN TURNED LEFT IN FRONT OF ME AND I HIT HIM RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF HIS FRONT AND BACK DOORS. HIS SIDE AIRBAGS AND HIS FRONT AIRBAG DEPLOYED. MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FIRST RESPONDERS (EMT'S AND FIREMEN) WERE VERY SURPRISED THAT MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. MY CAR IS TOTALED, ALTHOUGH I HAVEN'T GOTTEN A SETTLEMENT YET FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE SALVAGE YARD WHERE IT WAS TOWED TO FOR HOLDING INDICATED THAT IT HAD A BENT FRAME AND THEY, TOO WERE SURPRISED THAT THE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. I HAD INJURIES TO MY NECK (WHIPLASH) AND TO MY KNEE, ALTHOUGH NOTHING WAS BROKEN. *TR
Air bags, Mar 11, 2009, crash
WAS BROADSIDED IN MY 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA, PRIOR TO MY ACCIDENT HAD CAR AT DEALER TWICE WHERE CAR WAS PURCHASED FOR PROBLEMS WITH AIRBAG LIGHT GOING OFF AN ON. NO MATTER WHO SAT IN FRONT SEAT IT STILL DID THAT. I WAS TOLD BOTH TIMES THAT IT WAS FINE ONLY IT WASN'T, MY 14 YR. OLD DAUGHTER WAS IN FRONT SEAT THE SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT GO OFF. SHE HIT HER HEAD ON THE PASSENGER WINDOW CAUSING HER TO BE RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL. SHE IS OK BUT STILL FEELING PAIN. ONLY AFTER THIS ACCIDENT DID I HEAR ABOUT SOME OF THE RECALLS AND TROUBLES OTHERS HAVE HAD. *TR
Air bags, Jan 27, 2009, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT STRUCK A DEER WITH HER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SEVERE DAMAGE AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. SHE IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE DEALER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. A POICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 61,000.
Air bags, Dec 12, 2008
DEFECT OF AIRBAG SAFETY EQUIPMENT. THE MALFUNCTION OF THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT. THE PURPOSE OF THE OCS IS TO DISABLE THE RIGHT PASSENGER SEAT FRONT AIR BAG WHEN IT DETECTS THE PRESENCE OF A CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM OR SMALL CHILD IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT. THE RIGHT FRONT AIR BAG IS DISABLED TO PREVENT INJURIES TO A CHILD THAT MAY RESULT FROM A RIGHT FRONT AIR BAG INFLATION DURING A CRASH. THE ABOVE IS TAKEN FROM AN ACTIVE RECALL ON ANOTHER HYUNDAI MODEL WITH THE SAME EQUIPMENT. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED WHILE MY WIFE WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING. THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND SHOWED THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS NOT ACTIVE. COMMON SENSE WOULD WARRANT CONCERN ABOUT THIS BEING SAME PROBLEM AS IN RECALL ID # 08V161000 - AIR BAGS. IF YOU NEED ANY FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED AT, AS THIS IS SERIOUS POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Air bags, Oct 10, 2008, crash
I WAS IN CASA GRANDE ARIZONA DRIVING NORTH ON TREKELL ROAD WHEN I WAS HIT IN THE DRIVER SIDE OF MY 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WHILE GOING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. THE FRONT, BACK AND PASSENGER SIDE WAS NOT DAMAGED. THE DRIVER DOOR, AND PART OF THE BACK DOOR CAME IN ABOUT 1 FT. I ENDED UP WITH A BRUISE LUNG, 2 CRACKED RIBS, AND GRADE 2 CUT ON MY SPLEEN. BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS WENT OFF, BUT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AT ALL. I HAVE ALOT OF PICTURES THAT SHOWS NO DAMAGE WHAT SO EVER TO THE FRONT OR PASSENGER SIDE. THE ONLY DAMAGE TO MY CAR WAS ON THE DIVER SIDE WHERE THE FRONT DOOR AND PART OF THE BACK DOOR CAME INTO THE CAR ABOUT 1 FT. MY CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. *TR
Air bags, Mar 25, 2008
I PURCHASED MY 2006 HYUNDAI ELANTRA IN DEC 06 AND NOTICED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF LIGHT WOULD STAY ON AT TIMES WHEN THERE WERE PASSENGERS ARE IN THE FRONT SEAT. ON MY FIRST OIL CHANGE, I REPORTED IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT SINCE IT DIDN'T HAPPEN WHEN THEY SAT IT THE CAR, NOTHING COULD BE DONE AND THAT PERHAPS MY PASSENGER WAS NOT SEATED "CORRECTLY". I ACCEPTED THE EXPLANATION AT THE TIME, BUT HAVING SAT IN MY OWN PASSENGER SEAT WHEN I WAS SLEEPY AND MY MOTHER DROVE, I AM DISTURBED THAT DESPITE BEING SEATED UPRIGHT WITH MY SEATBELT SECURELY FASTENED, THE LIGHT WOULD STILL NOT STAY OFF CONSISTENTLY. I FOUND A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS ISSUE AND BROUGHT IT UP TO THE DEALER AGAIN AT MY LAST CAR SERVICING IN FEB 08, BUT WAS AGAIN TOLD THAT IT DID NOT HAPPEN AT THE SERVICE SHOP, SO IT COULD NOT BE FIXED. I UNDERSTAND THIS CONCEPT, BUT I AM GREATLY CONCERNED THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE BECAUSE THE AIR BAGS MAY OR MAY NOT DEPLOY. THE TSB STATES THAT THIS MAY OCCUR WITH SMALLER STATURE ADULTS, BUT I HAVE NO CHILDREN OR VERY SMALL FRIENDS/FAMILY, AND I AM CERTAINLY AVERAGE SIZED AND THE LIGHT STILL GOES ON AND OFF. MY CONCERNS ARE ONLY ASSUAGED BY THE FACT THAT I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP MECHANIC THAT IT IS JUST A LIGHT SENSOR AND THAT THE AIR BAGS WILL ALWAYS DEPLOY IF THE SEATBELT IS BUCKLED. I HOPE THAT THIS IS TRUE, BUT AFTER READING OTHER COMMENTS ON THIS SITE ABOUT AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING, MY ANXIETY ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY VEHICLE HAS INCREASED. I PLAN TO WRITE A LETTER TO HYUNDAI REGARDING THIS MATTER BUT I AM NOT SURE IF MY CONCERNS WILL BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY, SO I AM HOPING THAT THIS ENTRY WILL HELP TO BRING MORE ATTENTION TO THIS ISSUE. MY QUESTION IS SIMPLE. IS IT REALLY JUST A FLAKY SENSOR/LIGHT OR ARE MY AIR BAGS UNRELIABLE? *TR