Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Air Bags (31.3% of complaints) — is covered by 3 NHTSA recall campaigns.
Air Bags complaints here are 7.4× the median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.
3 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 3 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 57 · 31.3% | Recalled | Recall 05V479000 · Recall 05V395000 · Recall 03V322000 |
| Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module | 34 · 18.7% | Recalled | Recall 05V479000 · Recall 05V395000 · Recall 03V322000 |
| Air Bags:frontal | 18 · 9.9% | Recalled | Recall 05V479000 · Recall 05V395000 · Recall 03V322000 |
| Seat Belts | 8 · 4.4% | No official action | — |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 7 · 3.8% | No official action | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7 · 3.8% | No official action | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 182 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 04V370000 · 2004 · reported 07/30/2004
FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 05V479000 · 2005 · reported 10/17/2005
THE POSSIBILITY OF MISCLASSIFICATION OF A CRS AS AN ADULT MAY ALLOW THE RIGHT FRONT AIRBAG OR SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG TO DEPLOY IN A CRASH AND COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE RIGHT FRONT OCCUPANT. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 05V395000 · 2005 · reported 09/12/2005
THE POSSIBILITY OF MISCLASSIFICATION OF A CRS AS AN ADULT MAY ALLOW THE RIGHT FRONT AIRBAG OR SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG TO DEPLOY IN A CRASH AND COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE RIGHT FRONT OCCUPANT. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 03V322000 · 2003 · reported 08/26/2003
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY TO THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 04V208000 · 2004 · reported 05/03/2004
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE COULD CAUSE THE MISPOSITIONED CLAMP TO PUNCTURE THE FUEL TANK CAUSING FUEL LEAKAGE. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE AIR BAG DEACTIVATION LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHENEVER SOMEONE WAS…”NHTSA complaint 10395274 — filed 04/08/2011 · AIR BAGS
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE CONTINUOUSLY UNTIL THE ENGINE…”NHTSA complaint 10393970 — filed 04/01/2011 · AIR BAGS
“I OWN A 2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA GLS (US VERSION). I GOT THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON FROM THE 60K MILES. NOW THE "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" LIGHT…”NHTSA complaint 10373926 — filed 01/03/2011 · AIR BAGS
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Air bags issues are the most-reported category, cited in 57 of 182 NHTSA complaints (31.3%), followed by air bags:frontal:sensor/control module (34), air bags:frontal (18), seat belts (8). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
182 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 24 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, and 26 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 5 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 04V370000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
3 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
