Airbag Warning Light On

[goochylittlepig]

So I've had my 2016 Genesis for about two months. I've noticed a bit of the vibration everyone has talked about, but it seems limited certain roads. I've written it off as just one of those things. Other than that, I've really been enjoying the car.

However, a few weeks ago the airbag light came on but was off the next time I drove the car. Then it started doing that for about 2 weeks, during which time I had scheduled an appointment (had to cancel due to snow). So back on Jan 30 I got it to the dealer, and they said it was a "soft set" connection under the passenger seat. Basically a loose connection. So last week it came back on and stayed on for the entire week. I brought it back on Saturday Feb 6 with the light still on, and they said it was from under the driver's seat this time. But they also said the light was off when they went to look at it, so it was a historical code, not an active code. That seemed very weird to me that it went off just then. Nevertheless, they checked everything and said all connections were fine. So of course an hour after I picked it up, it came back on. Now I'm getting a loaner and they're going to have to take the seats out and do who knows what else.

Does anyone have any thoughts or clues as to what the deal might be? I'm kind of annoyed that I have now spent three trips to figure out an issue like this on a brand new luxury car.

 

[Alwaysforward]

I posted below what the manual states if this condition happens. The Pre-tensioner that they are talking about is for the seat belts. One or both (for the front seats) might have something wrong with it. Did you have this issue only when your in the car or was someone in the passenger seat as well?


From the manual:

✽ NOTICE
The sensor that activates the SRS air
bag is connected with the pre–tensioner
seat belts. The SRS air bag
warning light on the instrument panel
will illuminate for approximately 6
seconds after the Engine Start/Stop
button is pressed to the ON position,
and then it should turn off.
If the pre-tensioner is not working
properly, the warning light will illuminate
even if the SRS air bag is not
malfunctioning. If the warning light
does not illuminate, stays illuminated
or illuminates when the vehicle is
being driven, have an authorized
HYUNDAI dealer inspect the pretensioner
seat belts and SRS air bags
as soon as possible.

 

[goochylittlepig]

Interesting. The diagnostic codes they are seeing don't mention that at all. FWIW, this happens both with a passenger and alone.

 

[goochylittlepig]

So the dealership has no idea what's causing it, and they talked to tech support in california. They also had no idea. Now I'm driving around in a champagne Chevy Cruze (I am calling him Ted) indefinitely.

Gotta say, not very impressive for a brand new luxury car. If they had that pick-up your car, etc. service in effect now, that would be great.

 

[Mark_888]

If they had that pick-up your car, etc. service in effect now, that would be great.

Are you assuming that all Genesis brand vehicles will have that (starting with MY 2017), like the Equus does now?

 

[goochylittlepig]

Are you assuming that all Genesis brand vehicles will have that (starting with MY 2017), like the Equus does now?

Hyundai was hinting at that during the Genesis launch. Who knows. Maybe it will be like the "hinting" Android Auto was coming soon.

 

[03clyde]

To not stray from thread topic, I had same airbag light issue on our 2012 Azera. Loose connector under right rear passenger seat. Did not recur during my ownership of that vehicle.

 

[JoKo]

So I've had my 2016 Genesis for about two months. I've noticed a bit of the vibration everyone has talked about, but it seems limited certain roads. I've written it off as just one of those things. Other than that, I've really been enjoying the car.

However, a few weeks ago the airbag light came on but was off the next time I drove the car. Then it started doing that for about 2 weeks, during which time I had scheduled an appointment (had to cancel due to snow). So back on Jan 30 I got it to the dealer, and they said it was a "soft set" connection under the passenger seat. Basically a loose connection. So last week it came back on and stayed on for the entire week. I brought it back on Saturday Feb 6 with the light still on, and they said it was from under the driver's seat this time. But they also said the light was off when they went to look at it, so it was a historical code, not an active code. That seemed very weird to me that it went off just then. Nevertheless, they checked everything and said all connections were fine. So of course an hour after I picked it up, it came back on. Now I'm getting a loaner and they're going to have to take the seats out and do who knows what else.

Does anyone have any thoughts or clues as to what the deal might be? I'm kind of annoyed that I have now spent three trips to figure out an issue like this on a brand new luxury car.

I am a new 2016 owner (3.8 AWD) as of February 27th. Same thing happened to me - airbag light continuously lit; unfortunately I dropped the car off at dealer this past Friday (with 100 miles on odometer) and it is still in service department as of this writing (Tuesday afternoon). The center console also has what looks like a toolmark/indentation in the leather. Did they resolve your SRS issue?

 

[goochylittlepig]

They had to do something with Tech Support in CA that took a few days, but ultimately some type of loose wiring in/under the seats. They did resolve the issue.

 

[JoKo]

Thanks goochy . I called the service manager today and he was a little sheepish, but explained that his team had narrowed the issue down to a bad wiring harness after working with Hyundai level 2 support. Now have to wait for the harness to be shipped to the dealership (hopefully tomorrow Friday). They won't complete the install until next Monday, so they now will have spent more time with the car than I have since I owned it. Not a good way to begin a relationship

Does anyone have any advice as to what I should be seeking from Hyundai in order to make this right? I have half a mind to use social media to vent about this problem. I spent close to $47K to get this car and now I feel like I bought a 1st generation Hyundai!

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[AustinTX]

Does anyone have any advice as to what I should be seeking from Hyundai in order to make this right? I have half a mind to use social media to vent about this problem. I spent close to $47K to get this car and now I feel like I bought a 1st generation Hyundai!

I might be mixing two people's issues here, but I figured I'd respond anyways.

Here's what I would ask for if this were me: It looks to me like you were unable to use the car you purchased(leased) for over a month. Look into your states lemon law and see what it says about what needs to be done to declare a lemon. It varies, from 3 repair attempts on the same issue to how many days the car spent in the shop. Depending on the law, that will give you some leverage when speaking to the dealer/Hyundai about getting compensated for the time the vehicle was out of commission.

If they had put you into a decent rental car for the duration of the repair (something in the same league as our cars), I would not complain. A Cruze (~$16,000 retail) vs. your Genesis (at $47,000) is not an adequate replacement while you were waiting for them to fix the vehicle you are paying for.

I would ask for Hyundai to cover your payment/lease (if you have any) for the duration of the time they held on to your car. It's probably hard to get compensated for multiple trips to the dealership for the same issues (time/gas/etc.), but if someone is out of their car for a longer duration of time, they should do something for you.

I had a friend with a lemon 7 series BMW - multiple repair attempts, numerous trips to the dealership, attitude from the service people - not a good experience. He's a pretty chill guy with four other cars (Honda NSX, some newer model Ferrari, a Porsche Boxster (wife) and a Lexus monster SUV (GL470? - also his wife's). When he got fed up with the experience he dropped the words lawyer, lemon law, had a brief conversation with his sales guy and suddenly things got done: Letter of apology from the dealership general manager, they covered 2 months of his lease payment (north of $1,200/month), and generally got his behind kissed by everyone.

I would not accept a Chevy Cruze as a loaner, I would not accept that they keep my car for weeks without compensating me. I'd be nice - but I am not going to drive an Econobox while paying for a luxury car ...

 

[losboricua]

Joko, you ever got your car fixed? I just dropped my car off(almost 2 years old) with random airbag light on and off. I'm hoping to get my car quick because I'm not liking this Fusion rental.

 

[Alwaysforward]

I received a notice from NHTSA that there is a recall on Airbags (Air Bag Second Stage may not Inflate Properly) but when I ran my VIN number it wasn't applicable to my car.

 

[losboricua]

The dealer called me back and told me that it is the passenger side seat belt tensioner or something like that. Basically the part won't arrive until Monday and they don't want me to drive the car since the air bag may or may not deploy in an accident.

 

[lulu123]

I would never buy any Hyundai or Genesis again. I brought mine Genesis at 2016, and problems keep coming up every few months. The time and money spent on repairs and maintenance could buy me another one.

 

[EdP]

I would never buy any Hyundai or Genesis again. I brought mine Genesis at 2016, and problems keep coming up every few months. The time and money spent on repairs and maintenance could buy me another one.

Thanks for stopping by and letting us know.
I'm on my fifth Hyundai/Genesis and since they have been trouble free I'm thinking about a 2021 Genesis G80 next.
TTFN

 

[StaciD]

I bought a one owner used 2016 Genesis G80 back in December of 2020. I have been very happy with it. However, I have also been having air bag warning light problems. Back in March they told me it was the sensor on the passenger seat, so to not set my purse in the seat. Just yesterday, July 15, 2021, they told me it was because of a low battery in my key fob, and cleared the code. Five minutes after I left the dealership, the light came back on. I went right back to the dealership, and then they told me I need a new driver's side curtain air bag that will cost $995.90 plus labor! They also told me that when the warning light is on, no air bags will deploy! Thoughts, anyone???

 

[EdP]

I bought a one owner used 2016 Genesis G80 back in December of 2020. I have been very happy with it. However, I have also been having air bag warning light problems. Back in March they told me it was the sensor on the passenger seat, so to not set my purse in the seat. Just yesterday, July 15, 2021, they told me it was because of a low battery in my key fob, and cleared the code. Five minutes after I left the dealership, the light came back on. I went right back to the dealership, and then they told me I need a new driver's side curtain air bag that will cost $995.90 plus labor! They also told me that when the warning light is on, no air bags will deploy! Thoughts, anyone???

At that price I'd want a second opinion

 

[Deebeg]

I have a 2015 that I bought new and have had this same issue happen many times. It has always been after the passenger front seat has changed position. The seat belt pre-tensioner has been replaced 3 times under warranty. To get the air bag fault light to go out I adjust the seat and it turns off. My warranty expired last year and the light has just come back on. I HATE and love this car. I intend to look and see if the wiring or carpet can be adjusted to remove any strain on the wiring harness.

 

[CSULA21]

I have a 2015 that I bought new and have had this same issue happen many times. It has always been after the passenger front seat has changed position. The seat belt pre-tensioner has been replaced 3 times under warranty. To get the air bag fault light to go out I adjust the seat and it turns off. My warranty expired last year and the light has just come back on. I HATE and love this car. I intend to look and see if the wiring or carpet can be adjusted to remove any strain on the wiring harness.

I have had the same issue with a 2016 Ultimate that I got back in March. I tried moving the seat position a bit closer to the front & the airbag light is off. I had base model 2016 previously that did not have this issues. Very odd!