VehicleVerdict

2002 Hyundai Elantra airbags problems

The 2002 Hyundai Elantra has 72 airbags complaints filed with NHTSA — 17% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

72

Airbags complaints

17%

Share of year

36

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Airbags complaints by year

Elantra airbags complaints by model year166 complaints1994: 33 complaints1995: 38 complaints1996: 14 complaints1997: 21 complaints1998: 7 complaints1999: 20 complaints2000: 40 complaints2001: 125 complaints2002: 72 complaints2003: 49 complaints2004: 116 complaints2005: 74 complaints2006: 60 complaints2007: 49 complaints2008: 42 complaints2009: 42 complaints2010: 46 complaints2011: 77 complaints2012: 124 complaints2013: 166 complaints2014: 32 complaints2015: 23 complaints2016: 26 complaints2017: 31 complaints2018: 11 complaints2019: 2 complaints2020: 5 complaints2021: 2 complaints2022: 3 complaints2023: 6 complaints2024: 1 complaints2025: 2 complaints
Elantra airbags complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

08V533000AirbagsOctober 14, 2008 · 150,541 units

Defect

HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MY 2001-2002 ELANTRA VEHICLES. MOVEMENT OF THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS MOUNTED UNDER EACH FRONT SEAT, POSSIBLY CAUSED BY CONTACT FROM MATERIALS PLACED UNDER THE SEAT, MAY RESULT IN AN ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE THAT WOULD CAUSE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATION.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION ONLY RELATES TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT MOUNTED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS AND MAY PREVENT SEAT MOUNTED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT DURING A CRASH WHERE SUCH DEPLOYMENT SHOULD OCCUR. NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE SRS AIR BAGS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER UNDER CERTAIN CRASH CONDITIONS.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CLIPS AND REVISED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS ATTACHMENTS UNDER THE DRIVER'S AND FRONT PASSENGER'S SEATS. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 2008, AND WILL BE SENT OUT IN SIX MAILINGS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

What owners report

“WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 25 TO 30 MPH AND GOING DOWN AND A CURB THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO RESPOND AND REMAINED IN THE SAME POSITION. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO VEER INTO ONCOMING TRUCK. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. ACCORDING TO THE CONSUMER, UNDER PUERTO RICAN LAW, VEHICLE WOULD…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · September 10, 2003 · crash

Common questions

How many airbags complaints does the 2002 Hyundai Elantra have?

NHTSA has 72 complaints about the 2002 Hyundai Elantra airbags — 17% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2002 Hyundai Elantra airbags?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the airbags: 08V533000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.