Diagsheet

2016 Hyundai Accent · symptom sheet

Airbag warning light or recall

  • 29owner reports
  • 62,000median miles
  • $1,000median quote
  • 5involved a crash

Newest report Aug 27, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

29 of the 100 complaints on this car describe airbag, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2016 Accent.

Tick what matches of 29 reports

24
17
4

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the occupant sensor (7 reports).

Recalls and investigations

No recall on the airbags covers the 2016 model year as of Sep 9, 2026.

NHTSA investigations into the airbags on the Accent

EA00-001opened Jan 5, 2000
Airbags · model years 1995 to 1997

Passenger air bag related. Closed mar 9, 2001.

NHTSA summary
There is no summary currently available
PE99-046opened Jul 7, 1999
Airbags · model years 1995 to 1997

Passenger air bag related fatalities. Closed jan 5, 2000.

NHTSA summary
ODI IS AWARE OF SEVEN FATALITIES OF CHILDREN (EXCLUDING CHILDREN IN REAR FACING CHILD SAFETY SEATS)THAT WERE CAUSED BY THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS IN MINOR OR MODERATE SEVERITY CRASHES INVOLVING MODEL YEAR 1995 THROUGH 1997 HYUNDAI ACCENT VEHICLES.TWO OF THE SEVEN FATALITIES OCCURRED IN PUERTO RICO.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS FORFURTHER INVESTIGATION.
PE97-014opened Apr 4, 1997
Airbags · model years 1995

Air bag exhaust fire. Closed aug 26, 1997.

NHTSA summary
There is no summary currently available

None of these investigations covers the 2016 model year.

What owners paid

7 of the 29 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $184 to $1,200.

$184$1,000$1,200
$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 35,560 and 78,000 miles, from the 14 reports that gave a mileage.

317
418
619
620
422
123
224
125
226

What owners wrote

“I got into an accident and my airbags did not go off... my face hit the steering wheel and my hand is broken because the airbags didn't deploy”

Filed Apr 12, 2026

“The passenger seat airbag seat sensor does not work properly. The sensor wiring gets loose making the airbag system not work. It’s a common problem in this make and model. So I don’t understand why it hasn’t been recalled yet.”

Filed Jul 11, 2025

“The car facing Air bag light ON few days ago. Mechanical Shop inspect the car the scan shows code B1490 ( PODA ( Passenger Occupant Detecting System) Sensor (Bladder) defect Contact the Hyundai Customer care to check if there is any extend warranty on the this part, they said NO, open case # 21683569”

Filed Jul 6, 2023

“The air bag warning light comes on frequently while I am driving and the passenger side air bag does not always turn off when there is not a passenger sitting in the passenger seat like it should. It is to the point where I am afraid to drive my car after spending a ridiculous amount of money on our family car. Please help us. Thank you in advance.”

Filed Aug 9, 2022

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 5 of 29 reports involved a crash and 5 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.