YearToAvoid

2017 Hyundai Elantra Airbags Problems

NHTSA lists 32 airbag complaints for the 2017 Hyundai Elantra, 4% of all complaints filed for the year, tied to 17 crashes and 12 injuries. Two recalls (16V956000 and 16V232000) cover driver's frontal airbag module replacement. Median mileage at failure is 26,500.

Airbags complaints
32
4% of 767
Crashes reported
17
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
12
Median mileage
26,500 mi
Related recalls
2

Typical airbag symptoms owners report

  • Frontal airbags fail to deploy or deploy only partially during frontal or rear-end collisions at low to moderate speeds.
  • Driver's frontal airbag deploys with a torn or improperly stitched bag that collapses instead of holding its shape.
  • Side curtain airbags deploy but with a noticeable delay, striking the occupant's head after impact.
  • Airbags fail to trigger even in hard side-impact or frontal crashes severe enough to total the vehicle.
  • Passenger airbag warning light flashes intermittently without an apparent trigger event.
  • Owners report brake pedal failing to stop the car just before a crash in which airbags then did not deploy.

When 2017 Hyundai Elantra airbag complaints were filed

First complaint Jul 14, 2016, latest Aug 3, 2026.

2017 Hyundai Elantra airbags complaints: complaints filed per month2Jul 2016Feb 2018Dec 2018Oct 2019Oct 2021Dec 2022Dec 2023Mar 2026
32 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2016 to Aug 2026; peak Jun 2022 (2).

Airbags recalls for the 2017 Hyundai Elantra

  1. NHTSA 16V956000Dec 30, 2016Airbags110 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    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.

    Remedy: 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.

  2. NHTSA 16V232000Apr 21, 2016Airbags33 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal

    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.

    Remedy: 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.

Airbags complaints by Elantra model year

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

  1. 201046 (12%)
  2. 201177 (18%)
  3. 2012124 (19%)
  4. 2013168 (13%)
  5. 201432 (8%)
  6. 201523 (9%)
  7. 201626 (9%)
  8. 201732 (4%)
  9. 201812 (4%)
  10. 20192 (1%)
  11. 20205 (2%)
  12. 20212 (2%)
  13. 20223 (3%)
  14. 20236 (6%)
  15. 20241 (2%)
  16. 20253 (14%)

Frequently asked questions

How many airbag complaints does NHTSA have for the 2017 Hyundai Elantra?
NHTSA lists 32 airbag complaints for the 2017 Elantra, making up 4% of the 767 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there an airbag recall for the 2017 Hyundai Elantra?
Yes. Two recalls, 16V956000 and 16V232000, cover replacement of the driver's frontal airbag module free of charge, reported in December 2016 and April 2016.
How many crashes and injuries are linked to airbag complaints on the 2017 Elantra?
NHTSA data shows 17 crashes and 12 injuries associated with the 32 airbag complaints for this model year.
At what mileage do airbag problems typically show up on the 2017 Elantra?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA is 26,500 miles.

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.