What the Airbag Light on a Hyundai Sonata Means

If your Hyundai Sonata’s airbag light is on, it’s important that you get it checked out as soon as possible.
Written by Sarah Gray
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
If your Hyundai Sonata’s airbag light is on, it means there’s a problem with the vehicle’s airbag system. Whether it’s the airbags themselves, the wiring, or the airbag control unit (ACU), it’s important you get the problem checked out as soon as possible.
No matter what you drive, it’s important to know what an airbag warning light means, what can cause it to come on, and even how to turn it off after the issue is resolved. Since most of us aren’t
car repair
experts, we’ve put together this guide to help you out with your Hyundai Sonata’s airbag light. 
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What does the airbag light mean on a Hyundai Sonata?

If
your car's airbag indicator light is on
, it means there’s an issue with your supplemental restraint system—that is, your airbags. Unfortunately, there’s no single reason your airbag light might be on or flashing, but these are some of the common causes:
  • Faulty sensors: Your Sonata’s ACU relies on a variety of sensors throughout the vehicle to tell it when to (and when not to) deploy your car’s airbags. If these fail, your airbag light will turn on.
  • Malfunctioning ACU: A malfunctioning or broken ACU cannot properly deploy your airbags in case of a crash. If your ACU fails or is failing, your airbag light will come on.
  • Wiring problems: Without wires to carry signals from your Sonata’s sensors to the ACU, the airbag system can’t operate properly. So, if any of your wiring becomes worn, frayed, or gets disconnected, your airbag light will come on.
  • Drained airbag backup battery: A failing car battery can put a strain on the airbag backup battery. Without proper power, your airbags may not deploy properly, so a dying battery can cause the airbag light to turn on.
  • Damaged airbag clock spring: The airbag clock spring is inside your Sonata’s steering wheel—when you turn, the spring expands and retracts. This causes wear and tear over time, and if the spring breaks or stretches out, it will trigger the airbag light. 
There are still more reasons why your airbag light may be on, but these are the most common causes. Bringing your Sonata to the mechanic for diagnosis is the best way to find the issue causing the light to remain illuminated. If you want to try the DIY route first, you can use an OBD-II scan tool to
check for trouble codes
associated with the airbag system.

Hyundai Sonata airbag recalls

The Hyundai Sonata has been around since 1990, so it makes sense that it would be subject to at least a few recalls. In fact, it’s been subject to six recalls during its manufacture, each of which is described below.

2011 Sonata airbag recall

This recall was issued on several 2011 Hyundai Sonatas. In the affected vehicles, the airbag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, causing the frontal and side airbags to fail to deploy and the seatbelt pretensioners to fail. 

2015–2016 Sonata airbag recalls

Three recalls were issued for certain 2015 and 2016 Hyundai Sonatas due to issues with airbag installation or parts. Depending on the issue, the affected vehicles could experience failed or ineffective airbag deployment, which could increase the likelihood of injury or death during a crash.

2012–2013 Sonata airbag recall

The 2012 to 2013 Sonatas were recalled for side-curtain airbags that may inflate without a deployment command from the ACU. 

2006–2008 Sonata airbag recall

Several 2006 through 2008 Sonatas were recalled because the airbag system’s occupant classification system (OCS) was not working properly. This system identifies when a child is occupying the front seat and prevents the airbag from deploying and causing injury. The malfunctioning OCS could cause airbags to identify a small stature adult as a child, preventing airbag deployment and increasing the chance of injury or death in a crash.

How to reset the airbag warning light on a Hyundai Sonata 

In some cases, your airbag light might turn on because of a glitch. In this case, all you need to do is reset your airbag warning light. Don’t worry, if there’s really an issue, it’ll come right back on, but if it stays off, you’ve saved yourself a trip to the mechanic and the fee for diagnosis.
To reset your Sonata’s airbag warning light, follow these steps:
  1. First, turn the ignition to the “ON” position without starting the engine. The light should turn on and then begin to flash. 
  2. As soon as the light turns off, turn off the ignition before it turns on again. 
  3. Wait three seconds and turn the ignition back to “ON.” 
  4. Repeat steps 1–3 two times for a total of three times. You should see the blinking pattern start to change.  
  5. Once you’ve gone through the cycle at least three times, wait three seconds before cranking the engine
The light should now stay off after you go through these steps. If it’s still blinking, try repeating the process. If the light still continues to come on, it’s best to head to your mechanic or Hyundai dealer for further diagnostics.

Is it OK to drive with the Hyundai Sonata airbag light on? 

Your Sonata should continue to operate normally with an illuminated airbag light, but that doesn't mean it’s okay to drive with the airbag light on—at least not for very long.
If your airbag light is on, that means you have an issue with your airbag system—the sole purpose of this system is to keep you and your passengers safe in a crash. As long as you’re driving with a malfunctioning (or nonfunctioning) airbag system, you’re putting yourself and your passengers at risk of serious injury or even death if you get into an accident. That’s why it’s important to get your Sonata to a mechanic or dealership as soon as possible if your airbag light is on.
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