Air Bag Not Deploy problems of the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe

The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe. While driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle began to hydroplane without warning. The contact stated that the steering failed and, due to the contact attempting to apply the brakes, the vehicle began to spin. The vehicle crashed into the road divider. The passenger side of the vehicle was damaged. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed. A police report was filed. The contact received shoulder and back injuries, which required medical attention. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ball bearings on the front axle were worn out. The tie rods were replaced, but the calipers needed to be replaced also. The vehicle was repaired. The body of the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the esc and abs sensors illuminated. The contact returned the vehicle to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the tires and brake pads needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

My husband and I recently purchased a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe. Everything about the car is great except for one thing: the front passenger airbag sensor does not detect me as an adult and toggles on and off at will. It is really frightening to be barreling down the road and realize that I have no airbag. I have read that the sensor is set at about 120lbs and I weigh 115lbs. The arrogant service person at Hyundai recommended that I be the driver or sit in the rear seat! I couldn't believe they would just tell a 48 year old woman to sit in the back! (that should be interesting going on dates with the hubby or helping my 15 year old learn to drive. ) the service person also asked me if I was sitting squarely on the seat with my legs extended. What? yes, I was sitting squarely on the seat with legs extended!! so, if I shift my butt slightly on a 4 hour drive - are they saying I'm responsible for the airbag not deploying? what ridiculousness. I was appalled. I have read online that many petite people have had this problem with the Santa Fe and the sonata. This is not an unknown or rare problem. I am taking it in to Hyundai service on Monday, but quite frankly, I was not encouraged by the questions the service people asked. If it can't be fixed to be armed at all times, I will return the car - and that would be a shame because we liked everything else about it.

The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminates on the instrument control, indicating that the passenger front air bag is inoperative. As a consequence in a situation that warrants the air bags may fail to deploy. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and a technician concluded that the failure is caused by a weight distribution failure. She contacted the manufacturer. Upon contact a representative advised her to sit in the rear seat, because the air bags are secondary safety methods; seat belts are the first. The failure mileage was 1,000. The current mileage was 3,000. Bl updated 10/13/09. The consumer requested to withdraw the complaint. The consumer wants all information deleted. Updated 10/13/09.

The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai sonata. The contact noticed that the passenger side front air bag does not detect her weight. She weighs roughly 102 lbs. Secondly, she noticed that the air bag warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel, which signified that the air bag was inoperative. The failure could cause the front passenger side air bag not to deploy and injure the occupant. The technician confirmed the failure; however, they could not provide a remedy. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign id number 08v161000 (air bags); therefore, they could not offer any recourse. The failure and current mileages were 1,756. Updated 4/14/09 updated 04/17/09.

The last week for Nov. 2008 I purchased a new Santa Fe for my wife. On 12/26/2008 she was involved in a head on wreck. My 25 yr. Old daughter who is very petty about 110 lbs. Was riding in the passenger seat and the air bags did not deploy. Due to the air bags not deploying she was injured very seriously. I had no idea that there were prior complaints about the air bags it appears that there has been quite a few complaints I hope something is done before someone is killed. The manufacture needs to fix this problem.

Airbag sensor in front passenger seat does not detect an adult sitting in the seat. Air bag will not deploy in an accident.

My 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe has a defect in the passenger side air bag sensor. When my wife sits in the passenger seat of the car the "pass airbag off" light comes on which indicates that in the event of a collision her airbag will not deploy. She weighs 145 pounds, but if I get in the passenger seat then the light goes out, I weigh 210 pounds. There is obviously a problem with the weight sensor. This is a serious safety issue, I have heard from many other owners of similar vehicles complain of the same problem. The dealer refuses to acknowledge the problem , although a recall for a similar problem in the Hyundai sonata was issued. Please before someone loses their life because of this, have Hyundai issue a recall. Thank you.

Hello, this is a new car (400mi. ) and with my wife (5'4" and 120lbs. ) sitting in the passenger seat the passenger side airbag light illuminates, indicating the airbag is off. Occasionally the light will go off (as expected, indicating the passenger airbag is armed) as we start driving and then it will come on after 5 to 10min. Of driving. It is very disconcerting to think the airbag may not deploy if needed. Thanks, dan.

In my 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe the front passenger air bag does not work properly. It intermittently works when my daughter and I (115 & 120 lbs) sit in the seat. I can sit perfectly still and it will be engaged, and then it will disengage, and then engage, again or visa versa. It has been to the dealer to be repaired 4 times, but they say they cannot reproduce. They just hook it up to a computer and say it works as designed. Humble Hyundai service manager even told me to sit in the back seat (I'm 51 years old). I am afraid if we are in an accident that the airbags will not deploy. I have notified Hyundai consumer affairs and Hyundai pr as well. Does someone have to be killed in an accident for NHTSA and Hyundai to issue a recall? I have been given weights of 30, 80, 150, 115 and 120 lbs to activate the airbag sensor by humble Hyundai. Also given 35, 45, 150, 130, 135, 145, 40, 100 & 105 lbs by service departments of other dealerships. Also talked to consumer affairs about this, why can't Hyundai tell anyone what the actual weight to activate is? there was a safety recall issued for sonatas for this exact problem why can't one be issued for Santa Fes. . Read more...

2008 Hyundai Santa Fe - passenger side airbag sensor malfunction with airbag warning light on @ 250 miles - less than 24 hrs after purchase. Dealer cleared code - problem recurred later same evening - now problem is intermittent. Seems as if the 2007 model issue has carried over to the 208 model. Not happy - bad start for what is marketed as a safe car - what good is 8 airbags if they will not deploy when needed.

Passenger seat airbag "off" indicator lights when a 115 pound, 5'8" adult sits in the seat (indicating that the passenger airbag will not deploy in the event of an accident). Local dealership and Hyundai national 1-800 complaint line indicate that the indicator light is performing to specifications. I believe specifications (supposedly a 130 pound minimum for full functioning of passenger airbag deployment system) are inappropriate and result in an unsafe situation.