NHTSA Complaint #11703144 — 2017 HYUNDAI SONATA

I am reporting a serious safety defect involving a vehicle purchased from [XXX] on [XXX]. The vehicle was later involved in a collision that resulted in a total loss. According to the police report, I was not at fault. During this crash, none of the airbags deployed, which indicates a possible defect or prior undisclosed issue with the airbag system. The vehicle was sold with a warranty and was represented as safe and road-ready. The dealership also provided and managed the full-coverage insurance policy. However, the total-loss claim has been delayed and obstructed, and the dealership has not taken responsibility for ensuring the vehicle’s safety or functionality. There is significant concern regarding the condition of the vehicle prior to sale. Records show that Byrider cleared the vehicle’s computer on July 16, 2025, less than a month before purchase. This may have erased important diagnostic information, including any prior airbag-system faults. Clearing the computer in this manner raises questions about whether a known issue was hidden or whether mandatory diagnostic data was removed before the sale. At the time of purchase, I signed an airbag disclosure form in which Byrider stated: •They had “no knowledge of any reason why the airbag system would not operate properly,” and •They “cannot guarantee that the airbag system will deploy in the event of an accident.” Despite this disclosure, the fact that the airbags did not deploy in a crash severe enough to total the vehicle suggests a significant safety defect, potential misrepresentation, or a failure to comply with federal safety requirements. Airbag non-deployment in a total-loss collision indicates a system failure that poses a serious risk to consumers. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)