YearToAvoid

2009 Hyundai Elantra Airbags Problems

NHTSA has 42 owner complaints about airbag problems in the 2009 Hyundai Elantra, 17% of all 253 complaints for this model year. That is #8 highest airbag complaint count among 21 Elantra model years. These complaints report 13 crashes and 16 injuries. Median mileage at failure: 82,500 miles.

Airbags complaints
42
17% of 253
Crashes reported
13
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
16
Median mileage
82,500 mi
Related recalls
1

When 2009 Hyundai Elantra airbag complaints were filed

First complaint Oct 20, 2009, latest Oct 1, 2024.

2009 Hyundai Elantra airbags complaints: complaints filed per month3Oct 2009Jun 2013Jul 2015Nov 2016Jul 2018Aug 2019Feb 2021Feb 2023
42 complaints filed with NHTSA from Oct 2009 to Oct 2024; peak Jul 2015 (3).

Airbags recalls for the 2009 Hyundai Elantra

  1. NHTSA 11V143000Mar 15, 2011Airbags188,697 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive

    Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 elantra vehicles manufactured from july 14, 2006, through november 1, 2008. The front passenger seats in the vehicles contain a weight sensor designed to deactivate the right frontal airbag when occupants of certain weights occupy the seat. The electrical connector for the weight sensor is located under the center console, between the front seats. Under certain circumstances the connector could become contaminated and malfunction such that the front passenger airbag will deploy regardless of the weight of the occupant.

    Risk: The front passenger air bag could deploy in crashes in which it should not deploy, increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant from the deployed air bag.

    Remedy: Dealers will install a protective cover over the weight classification system connector to prevent contamination. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expecting to begin during april 2011. Owners may contact hyundai's customer assistance center at 1-800-633-5151.

Airbags complaints by Elantra model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200571 (52%)
  2. 200656 (36%)
  3. 200746 (17%)
  4. 200838 (12%)
  5. 200942 (17%)
  6. 201046 (12%)
  7. 201177 (18%)
  8. 2012124 (19%)
  9. 2013168 (13%)
  10. 201432 (8%)
  11. 201523 (9%)
  12. 201626 (9%)
  13. 201732 (4%)
  14. 201812 (4%)
  15. 20192 (1%)
  16. 20205 (2%)
  17. 20212 (2%)
  18. 20223 (3%)
  19. 20236 (6%)
  20. 20241 (2%)
  21. 20253 (14%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2009 Hyundai Elantra have airbag problems?
NHTSA has 42 owner complaints about the airbag in the 2009 Hyundai Elantra, 17% of all complaints for this model year, including 13 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 82,500 miles.
Which Hyundai Elantra year has the most airbag complaints?
The 2013 Hyundai Elantra has the most airbag complaints (168), compared with 42 for the 2009.
Is there a airbag recall for the 2009 Hyundai Elantra?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for the 2009 Hyundai Elantra concerns the airbag: 11V143000.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.