2004 Elantra Passenger Airbag Problem

Discussion in 'Hyundai Elantra / Lantra' started by TImothy A. Roy, Aug 12, 2004.

  1. 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.
     
    TImothy A. Roy, Aug 12, 2004
    #1
  2. 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.
     
    Brian Nystrom, Aug 12, 2004
    #2
  3. 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.
     
    TImothy A. Roy, Aug 13, 2004
    #3
  4. TImothy A. Roy

    hyundaitech Guest

    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.
     
    hyundaitech, Aug 13, 2004
    #4
  5. 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.
     
    TImothy A. Roy, Aug 13, 2004
    #5
  6. TImothy A. Roy

    Mike Guest

    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
     
    Mike, Aug 14, 2004
    #6
  7. TImothy A. Roy

    hyundaitech Guest

    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.
     
    hyundaitech, Aug 14, 2004
    #7
  8. 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.
    Fine, then you have a defective sensor in your car. Mine apparently
    works as it's expected to do.
    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, Aug 14, 2004
    #8
  9. 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.
     
    Brian Nystrom, Aug 15, 2004
    #9
  10. TImothy A. Roy

    Tim Roy Guest

    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
     
    Tim Roy, Aug 16, 2004
    #10
  11. TImothy A. Roy

    hyundaitech Guest

    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.
     
    hyundaitech, Aug 16, 2004
    #11
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