# Air bag warning light on Sonata

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/air-bag-warning-light-on-sonata/73439>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** hyundai, sonata\
**Created:** [July 9, 2012, 3:40am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/air-bag-warning-light-on-sonata/73439 "2012-07-09T03:40:43Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![kstueb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e19adc/32.png) [@kstueb](https://community.cartalk.com/u/kstueb)\
**Post date:** [July 9, 2012, 3:40am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/air-bag-warning-light-on-sonata/73439/1 "2012-07-09T03:40:43Z")

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My 2008 has the airbag warning light on - the dealer wants to replace the whole passenger seat bottom for $1600. They also say as long as the light is on no airbags will work. Is this true and do I have to just cough up the money and replace this?

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**Author:** ![SteveF](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/stevef/32/2_2.png) [@SteveF](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SteveF)\
**Post date:** [July 9, 2012, 6:11am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/air-bag-warning-light-on-sonata/73439/2 "2012-07-09T06:11:37Z")

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Yes, it is true that no airbags will deploy. Whether you insist on making this repair or drive without working airbags is up to you.

It certainly won’t hurt to go elsewhere for a second opinion. If you do, don’t mention the dealer’s diagnosis.

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**Author:** ![oldbodyman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbce88/32.png) [@oldbodyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldbodyman)\
**Post date:** [July 9, 2012, 6:58am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/air-bag-warning-light-on-sonata/73439/3 "2012-07-09T06:58:58Z")

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Yes get a second opinion. Do you have the option to turn off the passenger side airbag? If so turn it off and see what happens.

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**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [July 9, 2012, 7:11am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/air-bag-warning-light-on-sonata/73439/4 "2012-07-09T07:11:23Z")

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They probably have to replace the seat cushion because there’s a problem with the occupation switch. The occupation switch detects if someone is sitting in the seat or not. Even my lawn tractor had a occupation switch that shut the engine off if I got off the lawn tractor. But I removed it. A starter for a John Deere lawn tractor isn’t cheap.

Tester

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**Author:** ![backyardmec](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6de8d8/32.png) [@backyardmec](https://community.cartalk.com/u/backyardmec)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2013, 10:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/air-bag-warning-light-on-sonata/73439/5 "2013-05-30T22:39:58Z")

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I do know there is a recall letter for the 06’ sonata for the same problem, light should turn off when a passenger is sitting in it unless they weigh less than a certain weight (115lbs I think) which in theory prevents children from riding in the front but apparently some adults who are of a lower weight  
would have the same issue according to the recall notice I received. I am not sure if your model year is involved or not but maybe worth looking into.

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**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\
**Post date:** [May 31, 2013, 6:08am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/air-bag-warning-light-on-sonata/73439/6 "2013-05-31T06:08:22Z")

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@backyardmec

This thread is 10 months old!

I’m sure OP is NOT following this anymore.