2008 Hyundai Sonata Air Bags Problems
Owners have filed 137 complaints with NHTSA about air bags problems on the 2008 Hyundai Sonata, 32% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 71,500 miles. The words owners use most often: “air bag” (61% of reports).
- 137air bags complaints
- 71,500median miles at failure
- 10mention a crash
- 6mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- 27%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 84 of 137 complaints (61%)
- Passenger seat: mentioned in 53 of 137 complaints (39%)
- Airbag off: mentioned in 11 of 137 complaints (8%)
- Occupant classification: mentioned in 8 of 137 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do air bags problems happen?
Based on 98 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 137 complaints, 10 mention a crash, 6 an injury.
Hyundai Sonata air bags complaints by model year
| Model year | Air Bags complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Sonata | 1 | 6% | — |
| 2023 Sonata | 1 | 1% | 140 |
| 2021 Sonata | 4 | 3% | — |
| 2020 Sonata | 7 | 4% | 1,768 |
| 2019 Sonata | 9 | 6% | 60,000 |
| 2018 Sonata | 4 | 1% | — |
| 2017 Sonata | 22 | 3% | 30,000 |
| 2016 Sonata | 21 | 3% | 58,500 |
| 2015 Sonata | 25 | 2% | 64,989 |
| 2014 Sonata | 31 | 4% | 75,000 |
| 2013 Sonata | 104 | 5% | 86,900 |
| 2012 Sonata | 170 | 11% | 83,900 |
| 2011 Sonata | 419 | 12% | 92,800 |
| 2010 Sonata | 20 | 6% | 42,109 |
| 2009 Sonata | 30 | 7% | 55,000 |
| 2008 Sonata | 137 | 32% | 71,500 |
| 2007 Sonata | 257 | 37% | 75,800 |
| 2006 Sonata | 435 | 42% | 70,000 |
| 2005 Sonata | 55 | 33% | 68,500 |
| 2004 Sonata | 46 | 23% | 74,000 |
| 2003 Sonata | 43 | 22% | 65,253 |
| 2002 Sonata | 51 | 16% | 67,500 |
| 2001 Sonata | 47 | 23% | 63,000 |
| 2000 Sonata | 43 | 16% | 65,500 |
| 1999 Sonata | 31 | 25% | 59,750 |
| 1998 Sonata | 6 | 12% | — |
| 1997 Sonata | 8 | 16% | 36,059 |
| 1996 Sonata | 3 | 13% | — |
| 1995 Sonata | 15 | 23% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Air bags
Problem: Hyundai is recalling 393,308 my 2006-2008 sonata vehicles equipped with an advanced air bag system which features an 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.
Risk: Misclassification of a small stature adult as a child in the right front passenger seat may cause the right front air bag to not inflate in an accident that merits air bag deployment and may result in injury to the right front occupant.
Fix: Dealers will verify that the ocs does not properly recognize a properly seated adult occupant. After verification, dealers will remove the right front seat cushion assembly and ship it to an evaluation and repair facility. This facility will evaluate and repair or reprogram the seat cushion and ocs as necessary. The recall is expected to begin on or about may 26, 2008. Owners may contact hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Car has a B1448 (ACTIVE) Passenger Occupant Detecting System (PODS) Circuit Fault Related to the passenger detecting pad in the front passenger seat problems started at 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V161000 (Air Bags); however, the dealer informed the contact that he had to pay for a diagnostic test prior to…
The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed failures with the passenger's side occupancy sensor and occupant…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2008 Hyundai Sonatas have air bags problems?
No. NHTSA has 137 owner complaints about air bags for the 2008 Hyundai Sonata (32% of the 425 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 2008 Hyundai Sonata air bags?
Yes: 1 safety recall 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 71,500 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about air bags problems on the 2008 Hyundai Sonata?
The most frequent phrase is “air bag”, in 84 of 137 complaints, followed by “passenger seat” (53).
Other 2008 Hyundai Sonata problems
- Visibility problems (67)
See all 2008 Hyundai Sonata problems or air bags problems across all Sonata years.