2004 Elantra Passenger Airbag Problem

[Timothy A. Roy]

The system is designed to active the airbag only if someone over 56lbs sits in the seat. The problem is in reality it takes someone over 150lbs to consitently keep the sensor activated. that means theres a chance that the airbag may not deploy in an accident. hyuandai has tried to fix the problem and admits it doesnt know how. check out the forums at www.elantraairbag.com for more info and links.

 

[Brian Nystrom]

This topic has been heavily discussed already. Like many things, this problem has been severely exaggerated and sensationalized in the press. The 150# figure quoted is pure BS. There's an indicator on the dash that will tell you when the airbag is off, which typically occurs because the passenger has their feet up on the dash or is in some other odd position. Sitting properly in the seat eliminates most sensor errors.

If you're wearing your seatbelt - which is REQUIRED with airbags - it's largely a moot point.

 

[Timothy A. Roy]

That's BS. My wife uses her seatbelt and sits normally and the sensor still doesnt think shes there half the time. She weighs 120lbs which is more then double the supposed requirements. There is a problem, its documented and confirmed by my local dealer and they still won't do anything about it. They need to own up to the fact that there is a problem and fix it before someone gets injured or killed by it.

 

[hyundaitech]

Hyundai's position on proper seating:
1. Seat back near upright.
2. Legs flat on seat bottom.

If there's truly a problem with your seat sensor (other than the alleged design flaw), then the dealer should fix it for you. The dealer won't be able to make a design flaw go away until a new design is released. I find it difficult to believe that a normal-sized 120 lb. person sitting properly in the right front seat won't make the indicator lamp go out. I've demonstrated that the lamp goes out with much smaller people.

 

[Timothy A. Roy]

She sits as indicated by you. The light goes out half the time and other times it stays on. She can remain perfectly seated as you describe on the light will go on and off while i drive many times. And regardless of how someone sits the seat should know that someone is in it or not. Whats the point of the system if its wont work in more then one scenario which in realty won't always happen. There are to many variables for the system to work right. Either fix it or remove it and have the airbag deploy always. If people don't put there kids in the back seat in this day and age then its their fault and the dealer shouldnt be responsible for lawsuits.

 

[Mike (6)]

Yes, people, there is a known problem with this. My 2004 Elantra experiences the same issue. There was a recall issued, but Hyundai seems to think it only involved this first few Elantras produced for model year 2004 that were only sold to Enterprise Rent A Car. I do not think they want to spend the money to issue a full recall. See below for the recall information:

Recall Alert: HYUNDAI ELANTRA
Owner Notification Date: Sep 10, 2003
Number of Units Potentially Affected: 75
Component Description: AIR BAGS
NHTSA Campaign Number: 03V322000

Description of Recall Campaign: ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, IF THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IS UNOCCUPIED OR IS OCCUPIED BY SOMEONE LIGHTER THAN
56.4 POUNDS, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS DEACTIVATED AND WILL NOT DEPLOY IF A CRASH OCCURS. HOWEVER, THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SENSOR MAY INCORRECTLY INTERPRET THAT A SEATED ADULT IS AN INFANT SEAT AND DEACTIVATE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IF SOMEONE HEAVIER THAN 56.4 POUNDS WHO IS SEATED WITH ONE LEG RESTING ON THE OUTBOARD OR INBOARD EDGE OF THE SEAT; WITH LEGS SPREAD; OR POSITIONED OFFCENTER TOWARD THE CENTER CONSOLE AND WITH HIS OR HER ARM LEANING ON THE CONSOLE. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY TO THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER.

ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE DELIVERED TO ENTERPRISE RENTACAR AND WILL NOT BE PLACED IN SERVICE UNTIL THE RECALL REPAIR WORK IS COMPLETE. CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION FOR THIS CAMPAIGN IS NOT NECESSARY.

Mike

 

[hyundaitech]

Has your dealer replaced or offered to replace the passenger seat bottom? I would think that if you could demonstrate this to them that they would at least try a new seat bottom to see if it's any better.

 

[Brian Nystrom]

That's BS.

No, it's the truth. That's what happens in my car with my girlfriend in the passenger's seat. If you don't want to believe it, that's your problem.

My wife uses her seatbelt and sits normally and the sensor still doesnt think shes there half the time. She weighs 120lbs which is more then double the supposed requirements.

Fine, then you have a defective sensor in your car. Mine apparently works as it's expected to do.

There is a problem, its documented and
confirmed by my local dealer and they still won't do anything about it. They need to own up to the fact that there is a problem and fix it before someone gets injured or killed by it.

Has the dealer replaced the original sensor? If not, that's who you should be bitching at. It sounds like they may be just avoiding doing warranty work.

 

[Brian Nystrom]

That sounds familiar, but I believe that Hyundai has released a statement after this one indicating that there is nothing that can be done other than to sit in the seat properly. In the case of my car (purchased in April), that's all that's necessary to get the sensor to work correctly.

 

[Tim Roy]

Yes the replaced the original sensor and my wife sits as instructed. We had the tech ride with us in the car and witness the prblem after the sensor was replaced and they said they cant and wont do anything further until hyundai corporate decides what to do. that admit they are open to a lawsuit if my wife gets injured.

http://www.elantraairbag.com

 

[hyundaitech]

Well, I'd pretty much agree there's not much they can do if they tried a new sensor and the problem still exists. They are correct that the ball is pretty much in Hyundai's court to determine what can be done about the problem.