NHTSA Complaint #10086183 — 2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA

I PURCHASED A NEW 2004 ELANTRA IN APRIL 2004. AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR AND HAVING DRIVEN IT FOR A FEW MILES, I REALIZED THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS DISABLED. SINCE THE DAY I PURCHASED THE CAR, I HAVE RIDDEN IN THE PASSENGER SEAT SEVERAL TIMES, AND REGARDLESS OF THE POSITION, THE AIRBAG REMAINS DISABLED. WHEN THE ODOMETER READ 1,000 MILES, I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND I REQUESTED A CHECK OF THE PASSENGERS AIRBAG SENSOR. WHEN I PICKED UP THE CAR, I WAS TOLD THAT EVERYTHING LOOKED NORMAL; HOWEVER, THE SERVICE MANAGER EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THIS FEATURE WAS PART OF THE DESIGN FOR THE NEW 2004 MODEL. HE OFFERED ME TO TEST DRIVE A BRAND-NEW ELANTRA TO COMPARE IT TO MINE. THE OTHER CAR HAD THE SAME DESIGN FLAW. I AM DISAPPOINTED AND FRUSTRATED. I DO NOT CONSIDER THE CAR TO BE SAFE. ON JULY 14/04 I SENT A LETTER TO THE DEALER AND TO THIS DATE I HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED BY THEM. *AK