Defective Airbags Lead to Hyundai Elantra Recalls
Oct 21
Defective Auto Products 23 Comments
http://www.bestattorney.com/defective_auto_part.htmlHyundai-Kia has issued two recalls for its Hyundai Elantra models because of defective airbags, Consumeraffairs.com reported October 18, 2008. The first recall involves about 150,000 Hyundai Elantra 2001 models for a problem with the front airbag sensor. Company officials say the airbags might not deploy during a crash if liquids had spilled in the cup holder on the central console and dripped onto the airbag control module. Once the recall begins, dealers will install a protective cover to fix the problem.
The second recall involves 2001 and 2002 Elantras with defective side impact airbags, specifically with the side airbag wiring harness mounted under each front seat.
Apparently, material placed under the front seats could cause the wiring harness to malfunction, which could prevent the airbags from deploying during an auto accident.
Dealers will provide new harness attachments and connector clips to correct the problem. Consumers looking for more information may contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) at 1-888-327-4236 or visit www.safercar.gov.
In August, we reported about NHTSA officials investigating these airbag failures in the 2001-2002 Hyundai Elantras. Federal officials said the defective airbags failed to deploy in at least two fatality crashes that involved these Korean sedans. NHTSA and Hyundai had both received about 500 complaints about the airbag system failures in the Elantra. According to NHTSA reports, Hyundai has also repaired the airbag system in more than 9,000 Elantra sedans under warranty claims. Consumeraffairs.com had also reported that it received complaints from consumers that airbags failed to deploy in a 2006 Hyundai Tucson during a rollover accident
In my opinion Hyundai should have recalled these 2001-2002 Elantras much sooner.
They had repaired 9,000 cars for similar defects and still did not even consider recalling these vehicles with serious product defects. If you or someone you know has been seriously injured in an auto accident involving these or other defective airbags, I’d like to hear about it.
Oct 26, 2008 @ 13:22:27
I was injured in a car accident August 7, 2008 when the airbags in my 2003 Hyundai Elantra did not deploy. My husband was driving. It was a front end collision and none of our airbags deployed even though the car was totaled. We are in the process of filing a claim against Hyundai but we have a lot of questions.
Nov 19, 2008 @ 19:13:36
I was in a head on collision tonight with my 2007 Hyundai Tucson. The vehicle is written off. The airbags did not deploy at all. I am interested in knowing if this has happened to anyone else. Please contact me. robynbrad@hotmail.com
Nov 19, 2008 @ 20:55:24
Robyn,
Airbags failing to deploy in front end collisions is much more common than the auto industry would like us to know. What happened to you has happened to thousands of people. Luckily you escaped without serious. I have many clients who’s family members did not survive when their airbags failed.
My cursory search did not turn up any actual recalls of the 2007 Hyundai Tucson for front airbag deployment issues.
John Bisnar
Dec 07, 2008 @ 22:34:49
To all the consumers of Hyudai elantras out there. I was just in a front end collision in my 2007 hyundai elantra we hit the back end of a truck going about 25 it completly salvaged our car and yet the airbags did not deploy.
Feb 28, 2009 @ 13:42:59
Has anyone heard of similar issues with 08 Elantras? We have not had an accident in ours, but twice in the last few months we have had our dashboard airbag light go off for no reason. The first time our dealership told us it was just loose wiring and they took care of it. Two weeks ago it happened again and now they tell us our airbag harness needs to be replaced. It is on backorder and they have no idea when it will come in. Searching now online, I see a pattern and wonder if anyone has heard of non-deploying airbags on the 08 Elantras? Our dealership told me the part is on backorder because it “is such a rare problem” that they’ve never seen it before and “it must be rare because no one has the part in stock”. That is surprising, based on what I’ve read online today.
Mar 24, 2009 @ 11:36:38
I was in an accident with my new 2008 Hyundai elantra on October 6th, 2008. Not only did my car not stop correctly(as the breaks failed to function properly) but i had 2 front impacts, and both driver and passenger side impacts. My drivers door is smashed. NONE OF MY AIRBAGS WENT OFF. The tow truck driver commented by asking, “did anyone die in this car?” I have called Hyundia Motor America MANY times and sent my preliminary accident packet to them as requested 3 times. The third time i sent it Certified mail Return Recipt. So now i have a signature proving that they have recieved it. My problem in this whole situation is that I feel as tho i am being sewept under the door mat. I have left several voice mails and made several calls to hyundai. I convienently get disconnected EVERY TIME while i am on hold, and in 5 months, have NOT RECIEVED ONE PHONE CALL FROM THEM YET. I think they are just expecting me to go away. What am i to do? I cannot afford a lawyer, and my insurance denied the claim. Also, like i said none of my airbags went off. I am going to attempt to contact the media’s consumer affairs department. ABC,CBS,FOX,NBC, and others if necessary because i feel like the big cooperation is shoving the littly guy under the floor mat and ignoring me. If anyone has any suggestions, please contact me at speedsktr766@gmail.com
Thank You
Jul 19, 2009 @ 17:38:35
-Please, is/has there been a recall or class action suit on 2007 Hyundai Elantras with defective airbag deployment?
-My daugther was driving our 2007 Elantra and encountered a near crash in which she had to slam on the brakes but the airbags did not deploy. However the dashboard “Air Bag” warning light has been on since.
-She planning on taking a cross country trip on July 23rd and I’m planning on bringing the vehicle into the dealer tomorrow or Tuesday but want to know as much as possible ASAP!
Aug 26, 2009 @ 09:56:31
I HAVE AN 07′ ELANTRA AND HAVE BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICE NUMEROUS TIMES FOR 3 SEPERATE ISSUES. FISRT FOR AN AIRBAG LIGHT THAT WOULD NOT GO OFF. IT TOOK 5 TRIPS TO FIX THE ISSUE ( KEEPPING MY FINGERS CROSSED.) ALSO I HAVE HAD MY STEREO REPLACED DUE TO PEALING AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE A LATCH IN THE DOOR DUE TO MY LOCKS NOT WORKING WITH MY REMOTE ON DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. THEY STATED THERE WAS AN UPGRADE ON DOORS HOWEVER IT IS A FIX AS FAIL ISSUE.
Sep 16, 2009 @ 11:02:54
I was just in an accident last week, (september 2009). the 1990 dodge ram VAN that hit me was only a few feet away. I literally rolled down my window and yelled at the man who was looking in the opposite direction (he was illegally crossing 3 lanes full of traffic and I was waiting to turn on the left lane). by some miracle he did not hear my honking or my screams to stop and he accelerated to try and beat oncoming traffic. From a few feet away, the dealership estimates at least $4,000 in repairs AND NO AIRBAGS WENT OFF. My airbag light has been on for a few weeks and now after reading all these comments, i am scared to even get it back from the body shop. Also, not to mention the depreciation value on my vehicle has plummeted! 2007 Elantra GLS
Sep 25, 2009 @ 11:01:01
i was in an accident in my 2007 Elantra,the car was bumped by another car. the elantra hit an embankment, flipped over and crashed front in down into a ditch. none of my air bags deployed. by the grace of God i survived the crash, of course the car was totaled.
Oct 07, 2009 @ 19:51:18
My sister’s 2007 has this problem, a design flaw. Hyundai turns down the claim under warranty, has accused her of spilling a drink down the cup holder…which DID NOT happen and will not show her. She is being charged $3200 to fix their design FLAW. She’s a single mom with limited income.
Oct 22, 2009 @ 08:07:43
Exact thing thing happened to me that happened to Loris sister. A spilt soda is blame for 6000.00 repairs on a 9000.00 car.
Jan 04, 2010 @ 17:55:23
2001 Hyuandai Elantra driver: car has been in no accidents. The airbag light keeps coming on. For years, local dealership mechanics have maintained that airbag would function fine despite the red light: their explanation is that it’s “just a sensor”. In my opinion, this response is ridiculous… Despite repeatedly taking it to Hyuandai dealership where I get all my service work done and spending a few hundred dollars on this specific issue, the issue has not been resolved. Today, I was handed an estimate for over one thousand dollars for replacing airbag harness. If there is a recall then why aren’t the local mechanics aware of it. My car just failed a safety inspection b/c the airbag light is still on… The car is not worth enough to warrant the large repair expense. Overall: Cars engine was good but I am pretty disappointed by Hyundai service & attention to saftey.
Jan 07, 2010 @ 07:17:50
I have a death case involving air bag failure, front-end collision in a 2003 Hyundai Elantra. Would be interested in hearing from other lawyers/owners/experts with similar experiences or cases.
Jan 08, 2010 @ 12:47:00
My 2008 Hyundai Elantra was totaled recently. The front air bags failed to deploy and the brakes. A class action against Hyundai is in order.Their noted lack of concern for clearly defective air bags and brakes. My son and passenger suffered concussions,contusions, etc. It’s time to save others from suffering such injuries or fatality.
Jan 13, 2010 @ 10:30:40
I have taken my 2007 Elantra in fo the airbag light staying illuminated. Both the airbag and dash wiring harness had to be replaced due to “liquid” leaking from the center cupholder onto the airbag harness and shorting it out. There was a recall in 2008 for 2001-2002 Elantras with the EXACT same problem. This is not covered by Hyundai under warranty and cost me through my insurance company ~$5000.00. Beware also that the wiring harness are on National Backorder. It took me well over a month to get the car back and the dealership automotive dept. will not put your car back together afeter they take it apart for this problem.
Jan 26, 2010 @ 12:21:33
this is all so sad…just to know what auto delerships are willing to do to make a sell…I feel like a fool not only did i buy one hyundia elantra but two on the same day a 07 for me and 08 for my mom..we were told about all the bells and whistles,that this car was rated number one in crash car safty and this and that…we were sold!well i still have my 07 with bullcrap broblems and my mom dos not…she was in a accident on oct 09 she rear ended a car at about 25 to 35 mil.her car was toteled and the stinken air bags did not deploy..great!reading all this makes me sick..our ins.FARMERS..tells her..that part has nothing to do with them thay do care she could have died..so thay did ther crappy part and blew my mom off,this scars the hek out me..I cant seem to get rid of my 07 it depreseated allmost half its value plus i would feel so ugly putting that car on another family…we are serching for a lawer that is willing to here our voices..somthing has got to be done about these moderen day thives..lets not wait till someone dies becaus off this air bag problem…do’s anyone no of a good lawer or class a act.lawsuit?please help
Feb 26, 2010 @ 14:02:30
I was involved ina front end accident on February 12th, 2010. I was doing betweeen 27-30 mph when I hit the rear tire of a Jeep Wrangler. My airbags did not deploy, but the seatbelt after impact never went back in!! I am still considering if I have a case or not! What if I was driving 55-65 mph and hit someone like that…I may not be here writing this today and my husband would be widowed and children motherless!! I have read of similar 2003 Elantras doing this same thing….. I live in McMinnville, Oregon. I read above about a death in a 2003 Hyundai Elantra and failure of deployment in front airbags! My heart and prayers goess out to that family.. Is there a case here against Hyundai Corporation? If so please someone respond to this!! I settled with insurance for pain and suffering..D/T my whole back is soft tissue injury..But if airbags had deployed, Would I be in as much pain…That is not insurance companies fault!!! Hope to get some feed back and be reffered to a good Corporate lawyer in Salem/Portland Oregon area!!!
May 24, 2010 @ 10:58:06
In December 2008 I was in a head-on crash in my 2008 Hyundai Elantra. The crash totaled my car but the airbags did not deploy.The autobody shop that the car was brought to told me that the seatbelt was an indicator of whether the airbags will deploy or not.I think this is crock! The accident I was in resulted in my having to have spinal fusion surgery last October and I am still in physical therapy. I will be contacting an attorney on this matter and will keep posting to let everyone know the outcome.
Oct 17, 2010 @ 15:03:55
I was in a frontal accident with my 2003 Hyundia Elantra hit a rock-doing about 30mph -90,000 miles on car -airbags did not deploy- car is totaled also curious as to why won’t seat belt will not go back in ???
Feb 03, 2011 @ 11:38:15
On May 26, 2008 my husband and I were involved in a severe accident. Another car ran a red light, hit us and totaled our 2008 Hyundai, Elantra. I was severely injured. I had a broken collarbone, 6 broken ribs, struck my head and was knocked unconscious. I was taken by ambulance to a trauma center here in Las Vegas, Nevada.
None of the multiple front and side airbags deployed, on our brand new, (less than 1500 miles), 2008 Hyundai, Elantra!
At our request Hyundai hired an “independent adjuster†to test our damaged vehicle to determine if any defects existed and if the airbags were functional. The adjuster called us and we had an hour-long conversation with him. He supposedly examined the car. He and Hyundai promised us that a copy of the adjuster’s findings would be supplied to us. Hyundai never gave us this report, but rather sent a generalized statement that the car was perfect in every way and no problems with the airbags. We then formally requested a copy of this report but Hyundai; flat-out refused to supply one to us. They said a report of this nature was very sensitive and that releasing it, to us, would somehow jeopardize their security, or some such nonsense. On two occasions we called Hyundai’s California home office and questioned their response to our basic request. Their initial patronizing attitude deteriorated to one of condescension and finally dismissal. Their original good-old-boy, “we treat you like family†approach ended and we are considered adversarial. They now won’t respond to our correspondence. It’s our opinion that Hyundai is being deceptive and hiding something from us. Why else wouldn’t they just give us a copy of the adjuster’s report as they originally promised?
When we initially bought the car the dealership told us: “the airbags, surrounding us, were a huge pillow of safety that would protect us during an accidentâ€.
The car was struck twice, on my front passenger side. It was hit with so much force that our car spun around 180 degrees and the damage was so severe that the vehicle was absolutely beyond repair! I repeat: no front or side airbags ever deployed!
As if the above situation wasn’t bad enough about two weeks after our wreck we had to purchase a new car. It was a new 2008 Hyundai, Tucson. At that time we were still on good terms with Hyundai. They were arranging for the independent adjuster to evaluate the car and their demeanor seemed both sympathetic and sincere. We were obviously naive, and I was in bad shape. We assumed that Hyundai would come through for us and that the truth would prevail concerning the faulty airbag deployment issue. We also thought that a heavier and stouter vehicle like a Tucson would add a degree of security and safety to our shattered lives. Nothing could have been further from the truth!
After driving less than 200 miles, in our brand new Tucson, the warning light on the dashboard, flashed on announcing that the passenger airbag was turned off! I hadn’t yet gotten over the pain and trauma of the first accident. I was in total shock. We immediately took the car to the Hyundai dealership to be evaluated. They “tested it†and said there was nothing wrong with the airbags, but could not definitively explain why the light came on. In my thinking their fail-safe system failed me again. That was the moment I truly became frighten of Hyundai.
In April 2010 my husband and I were driving from Las Vegas to Socorro, New Mexico. Approximately 90 miles from Las Vegas the warning light on the dashboard flashed on again, the airbag on my passenger side had turned off again! For the entire trip the light sporadically came on and off. I was in constant fear and it ruined our trip.
When we returned to Las Vegas we took the car back to the Hyundai dealership for testing. As usual they stated the car was in perfect working order. To be honest with you, I have no idea if the airbags are working or not. The only way we’ll know if the airbags are working or not, God forbid is if we get into another accident like with the Elantra!
Every time I ride in the car I become anxious. We want to trade in the car for something other than a Hyundai. What troubles us is: this car will eventually be sold to someone else and they too will have to deal with the airbag problem.
Even after two years I’m still experiencing pain and my activities are limited. I have been disabled, for the last 20 years and my life has been difficult. This accident has exacerbated my preexisting condition and intensified my pain. After the accident my life has become, at times, a living hell. I constantly have to see doctors and I’m now facing a major surgery.
If you read this, please consider buying something other than a Hyundai. Protect yourself and your families. It’s our experience and opinion that these vehicles are dangerous and if you do have a problem Hyundai Inc. will demean and ignore you!
Mary and Robert Partch Hyundai_hurt_me@hotmail.com
Apr 15, 2011 @ 16:18:48
There was a anamnesis in 2008 for 2001-2002 Elantras with the EXACT aforementioned problem. This is not covered by Hyundai.
Oct 13, 2011 @ 21:20:36
My husband was involved in a frontal car crash in his 2008 Elantra. He was travelling at about 50mph, and the air bags did not deploy. I contacted Hyandai, they gave me a case number, and said they would send a packet.
In the meantime AAA insurance are chasing me as they want to get on and investigate the car to see if it is totalled. I have just been told by Hyandai that it is going to take months to investigate this, and i said I coud not afford any out of pocket costs etc, and they were very quick to suggest closing the case.
They were so unpleasant and sarcastic …where to go now?
.