Hyundai Sonata Air Bags Problems
Owners have filed 2,045 complaints with NHTSA about air bags problems on the Hyundai Sonata across 29 model years. The 2006 model year has the most (435). The words owners use most often: “air bag” (49% of reports).
- 2,045air bags complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 345mention a crash
- 244mention an injury
- 9related recalls
- $1,350typical repair cost reported by owners
- 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 1,000 of 2,045 complaints (49%)
- Passenger seat: mentioned in 320 of 2,045 complaints (16%)
- Bags deploy: mentioned in 103 of 2,045 complaints (5%)
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 Hyundai Sonata at $1,350, and half of them between $620 and $1,750.
Based on 104 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2005–2026), 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 1,338 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 2,045 complaints, 345 mention a crash, 14 a fire, 244 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 (9)
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module; seat belts:pretensioner; air bags:side/window
Model years: 2011, 2012, 2013
Problem: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Sonata and 2011-2012 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. On February 27, 2018, Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) notified NHTSA that they were recalling 154,753 model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. On April 18, 2018, Hyundai expanded the recall to include an additional 425,305 model year 2012-2013 Sonata and 2011-2012 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying.
Risk: If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install an external wire filter kit, free of charge. The recall began October 15, 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 174.
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Model years: 2017
Problem: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2017 Hyundai Elantra vehicles manufactured April 15, 2016, to September 13, 2016, and Sonata vehicles manufactured May 27, 2016 to September 16, 2016. In these vehicles, the end seal for the driver's frontal air bag inflator may not have been properly installed, possibly resulting in reduced inflation of the frontal air bag in the event of a crash.
Risk: In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not inflate fully increases the risk of injury.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 156.
Air bags
Model years: 2016
Problem: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2016 Sonata vehicles manufactured March 28, 2016 through April 12, 2016. The affected vehicles have a driver-side frontal air bag that may not adequately protect the driver's neck from injury in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: A frontal air bag that does not adequately protect the driver's neck may increase their risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 148.
Air bags:frontal
Model years: 2015, 2016
Problem: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Sonata vehicles manufactured May 29, 2014 to February 11, 2016, 2017 Elantra vehicles manufactured January 12, 2016 to February 22, 2016, and one 2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicle manufactured October 15, 2015. In these vehicles, the driver's frontal air bag may be missing a chemical enhancer required for the second stage air bag deployment, resulting in the second stage not deploying in certain crashes. The primary stage will deploy as intended.
Risk: An air bag that does not inflate increases the risk of injury.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on May 5,2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 144.
Air bags:side/window
Model years: 2012, 2013
Problem: Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Hyundai Sonata passenger cars, manufactured from January 24, 2012, through June 21, 2012. The curtain side airbags on these vehicles may inflate without deployment command due to an error during manufacturing.
Risk: The curtain airbag may inflate without deployment command and increase the risk of injury to occupants of the vehicle. Additionally, an unexpected deployment would be a significant driver distraction and would limit the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Hyundai dealers will notify owners, and dealers will replace the curtain side airbags free of charge. This recall began on August 31, 2012. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
Air bags
Model years: 2006, 2007, 2008
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.
Air bags:side/window
Model years: 2002
Problem: On certain passenger vehicles, the supplemental restraint system (srs) side impact air bag satellite sensors may be too sensitive to some lateral accelerations that are not caused by side impacts to the vehicle, such as forcefully slamming a door closed.
Risk: Inadvertent deployment of a srs side impact air bag when a side impact crash has not occurred could increase the risk of injury to the seat occupant.
Fix: Dealers will replace the side impact air bag satellite sensors. Owner notification began july 8, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
Air bags:side/window
Model years: 1999, 2000, 2001
Problem: On certain passenger vehicles, an intermittent condition that leads to the supplemental restraint system (srs) air bag warning light illumination could result from motion of the side impact air bag wiring harness and side impact air bag wiring harness connector which mount to the adjustable seat cushion assembly. This condition only relates to the side impact air bags and could prevent air bag deployment during a crash where such deployment should occur.
Risk: Non-deployment of the srs side impact air bag could increase the risk of injury during a side impact crash.
Fix: Dealers will more securely fasten the side impact air bag wiring harnesses and connectors to the vehicle's front seat cushion frames. Owner notification began may 28, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
Air bags
Model years: 1999, 2000, 2001
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The supplemental restraint system (srs) air bag warning light could illuminate due to motion of the side impact air bag wiring harness and side impact air bag wiring harness connector that mount to the adjustable seat cushion assembly. This condition only relates to the driver and/or passenger seat-mounted side impact air bag(s).
Risk: This condition could prevent seat mounted side impact air bag deployment during an accident where such deployment should occur. Non-deployment of the srs side impact air bags could increase the risk of injury during an accident where side impact air bag deployment is intended.
Fix: Dealers will more securely fasten the front seat side impact air bag wiring harness and connectors to the vehicle's front seat cushion frames. Owner notification will occur in six mailings on may 27, june 3, june 10, june 17, june 24, and july 1, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should 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.
The air bag light just came on and I know there was a recall on this. I would like to have this taken care of at the dealership for free as it was a recall.
The driver airbag light came on along with the horn not working, steering wheel buttons not working, and cruise control not working. It has been verified as the time spring not working properly.
The passenger frontal airbag deployed on its own while the vehicle was being driven, with no collision or impact that the driver is aware of. The driver airbag did not deploy. The incident occurred on October 4, 2026, at about 11:14 PM, shortly after the driver refueled at a gas station and was…
The passenger side curtain and front airbags popped with no crash or reason, yes Hyundai will be able to inspect upon pick up. My safety risk was fortunately at minimal during times of explosion because I had just parked the vehicle when curtain side air bags went off first then slowly reserving…
My 2013 Hyundai Sonata (VIN [XXX]) suffered a driver's airbag clock spring failure, completely disabling the primary restraint safety system. ABS light was on, the horn and all other electronics on the steering wheel were not functioning. All symptoms indicated in the recall This vehicle is…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Hyundai Sonatas have air bags problems?
No. NHTSA has 2,045 owner complaints about air bags for the Hyundai Sonata. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Hyundai Sonata air bags?
Yes: 9 safety recalls list air bags. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix air bags problems on the Hyundai Sonata?
Owners report a typical cost of $1,350 (half paid between $620 and $1,750), from 104 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about air bags problems on the Hyundai Sonata?
The most frequent phrase is “air bag”, in 1,000 of 2,045 complaints, followed by “passenger seat” (320).
Other Hyundai Sonata problems
- Engine problems (4,702)
- Steering problems (2,363)
- Electrical System problems (1,975)
- Structure problems (1,066)
- Power Train problems (1,050)
- Exterior Lighting problems (1,013)
- Service Brakes problems (901)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (768)
See all Hyundai Sonata problems.