2001 Hyundai Elantra Air Bags Problems
Owners have filed 118 complaints with NHTSA about air bags problems on the 2001 Hyundai Elantra, 37% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 62,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “air bag” (54% of reports).
- 118air bags complaints
- 62,000median miles at failure
- 50mention a crash
- 39mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- $1,400typical repair cost reported by owners
- 14%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Air bag: mentioned in 64 of 118 complaints (54%)
- Abl pco: mentioned in 19 of 118 complaints (16%)
- Sensor control module: mentioned in 15 of 118 complaints (13%)
- Bags frontal: mentioned in 13 of 118 complaints (11%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical air bags repair on the 2001 Hyundai Elantra at $1,400, and half of them between $870 and $3,300.
Based on 7 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2004–2011), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do air bags problems happen?
Based on 82 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 118 complaints, 50 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 39 an injury.
Hyundai Elantra air bags complaints by model year
| Model year | Air Bags complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Elantra | 1 | 50% | — |
| 2025 Elantra | 3 | 14% | 3,300 |
| 2024 Elantra | 1 | 2% | 5,308 |
| 2023 Elantra | 6 | 6% | 44,000 |
| 2022 Elantra | 4 | 4% | 60,000 |
| 2021 Elantra | 2 | 2% | — |
| 2020 Elantra | 5 | 2% | 7,000 |
| 2019 Elantra | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2018 Elantra | 12 | 4% | 46,000 |
| 2017 Elantra | 32 | 4% | 26,500 |
| 2016 Elantra | 26 | 9% | 32,000 |
| 2015 Elantra | 23 | 9% | 25,673 |
| 2014 Elantra | 32 | 8% | 41,673 |
| 2013 Elantra | 168 | 13% | 71,088 |
| 2012 Elantra | 124 | 19% | 89,000 |
| 2011 Elantra | 77 | 18% | 99,000 |
| 2010 Elantra | 46 | 12% | 63,830 |
| 2009 Elantra | 42 | 17% | 82,500 |
| 2008 Elantra | 38 | 12% | 55,819 |
| 2007 Elantra | 46 | 17% | 66,055 |
| 2006 Elantra | 56 | 36% | 68,000 |
| 2005 Elantra | 71 | 52% | 35,500 |
| 2004 Elantra | 114 | 63% | 17,102 |
| 2003 Elantra | 48 | 21% | 46,000 |
| 2002 Elantra | 70 | 20% | 71,000 |
| 2001 Elantra | 118 | 37% | 62,000 |
| 2000 Elantra | 39 | 20% | 50,513 |
| 1999 Elantra | 20 | 16% | 80,500 |
| 1998 Elantra | 7 | 13% | — |
| 1997 Elantra | 21 | 18% | 141,000 |
| 1996 Elantra | 14 | 14% | — |
| 1995 Elantra | 35 | 31% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive
Problem: Hyundai is recalling certain my 2001-2002 elantra vehicles. Movement of the side impact air bag wiring harness mounted under each front seat, possibly caused by contact from materials placed under the seat, may result in an electrical resistance that would cause supplemental restraint system (srs) warning light illumination.
Risk: This condition only relates to the driver and passenger seat mounted side impact air bags and may prevent seat mounted side impact air bag deployment during a crash where such deployment should occur. Non-deployment of the srs air bags may increase the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger under certain crash conditions.
Fix: Dealers will install new side impact air bag wiring harness connector clips and revised side impact air bag wiring harness attachments under the driver's and front passenger's seats. The recall is expected to begin during the fourth quarter of 2008, and will be sent out in six mailings. Owners may contact hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
Air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive
Problem: Hyundai is recalling certain my 2001 elantra vehicles. If a liquid is spilled in the area of the cupholder on the center console, it may seep through the console opening for the parking brake lever and then drip onto the air bag control module electrical connector. The spilled liquid may contaminate the air bag control module and its electrical connector to the air bag wiring harness and cause the supplemental restraint system (srs) warning light to illuminate.
Risk: This condition may affect the driver and passenger frontal air bags and may prevent air bag deployment during a crash where such deployment should occur. Non-deployment of the srs air bags may increase the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger under certain crash conditions.
Fix: Dealers will install a protective cover over the vehicle's air bag control module connector. The recall owner notification began on november 30, 2008, and letters will be sent out in six mailings. Owners may contact hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
Air bags:side/window
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The supplemental restraint system side air bag satellite sensors installed were improperly manufactured, causing the air bag warning light to illuminate and the side air bags to not deploy as intended in the event of a crash.
Risk: Non-deployment of the side air bags could increase the risk of injury during a crash where side air bag deployment is intended.
Fix: Dealers will replace the two satellite sensors.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Electrical issues with power locks. The vehicle overall is unsafe due to the progressive motor, electrical, and complex issues effecting the basic usage of my car.
The air bag light keeps coming on and off while in motion..
Takata recall. The airbag light is illuminated on dash. The vehicle has never been in an accident yet the light is on. Not sure if airbags will work if an accident ever does occur. Cannot have full coverage insurance because air bag light is on. Vehicle was stationary when light came on. Unknown…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2001 Hyundai Elantras have air bags problems?
No. NHTSA has 118 owner complaints about air bags for the 2001 Hyundai Elantra (37% of the 315 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2001 Hyundai Elantra air bags?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list air bags. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do air bags problems start?
The median reported mileage is 62,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
How much does it cost to fix air bags problems on the 2001 Hyundai Elantra?
Owners report a typical cost of $1,400 (half paid between $870 and $3,300), from 7 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about air bags problems on the 2001 Hyundai Elantra?
The most frequent phrase is “air bag”, in 64 of 118 complaints, followed by “abl pco” (19).
Other 2001 Hyundai Elantra problems
- Suspension problems (81)
See all 2001 Hyundai Elantra problems or air bags problems across all Elantra years.