2003 Hyundai Elantra Air Bags Problems

NHTSA component category: AIR BAGS · data through 07/14/2026

28Air Bags complaints

12%Of all 234 complaints

#2Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How air bags ranks on this vehicle

SUSPENSION33 · 14.1%

AIR BAGS28 · 12%

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL15 · 6.4%

STEERING15 · 6.4%

STRUCTURE:BODY13 · 5.6%

Share of the 234 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2003 Hyundai Elantra overview page.

What owners report

“I HAD TAKEN MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE IN APRIL 09 FOR OIL CHANGE, TIRE BALANCING. I HAD TO RETURN IT BECAUSE CAR WAS VEERING…”NHTSA complaint 10268170 — filed 05/07/2009

“MY 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA HAS 64,000 MILES ON IT & THE AIRBAG MODULE WENT OUT & AM TOLD IT WILL COST OVER 800.00 TO FIX…”NHTSA complaint 10250776 — filed 12/04/2008

“WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER'S VEHICLE REARENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON SLAMING ON THE BRAKES GEAR AUTOMATICALLY PUT ITSELF INTO NEUTRAL, CAUSING THE STEERING TO LOCK UP. ALSO,THE…”NHTSA complaint 10105568 — filed 12/30/2004

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Air Bags complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 Hyundai Elantra have air bags problems?

Air Bags is the #2 most-reported problem area on the 2003 Hyundai Elantra: 28 of 234 complaints on file (12%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2003 Hyundai Elantra have in total?

234 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 42 involved a crash, 1 involved a fire, 33 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's air bags category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the AIR BAGS category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.