Archive · 25 Jul 2026
Man awarded Rs 6.15 lakh after airbag failure in Hyundai crash
A man in India was in a bad car accident.
The airbags in his Hyundai i20 did not go off, and he lost sight in one eye.
He said the car was supposed to have good safety features, but they did not work.
Hyundai said the car had been in other accidents before, but the court did not agree.
The court said Hyundai has to pay the man Rs 6.15 lakh for his medical bills, pain, and suffering.
The man can now use this money to help with his treatment and other expenses.
A man lost vision in one eye after a car crash when the airbags in his Hyundai i20 allegedly failed to deploy.
The district consumer commission in Kerala awarded him Rs 6.15 lakh in compensation.
The commission held that the failure of the airbag system amounted to a manufacturing defect.
Hyundai argued that the vehicle had previously met with accidents, but the commission rejected this defense.
The commission directed Hyundai to pay Rs 4 lakh for medical treatment, Rs 2 lakh for pain and suffering, and Rs 15,000 for litigation costs.
- Who
- A man who lost vision in one eye after a car crash
- What
- A district consumer commission in Kerala awarded Rs 6.15 lakh to the man after the airbags in his Hyundai i20 allegedly failed to deploy during a severe frontal collision.
- When
- The accident occurred in 2015, and the order was dated July 15.
- Where
- The accident occurred near Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, and the case was heard in Kerala.
- Why
- The man argued that the airbags' failure to deploy was due to a manufacturing defect, and the commission agreed, holding Hyundai Motors India Ltd. liable for deficiency in service.
Complainant's Argument
Hyundai's Defense
Airbag Failure
Complainant's Argument
The airbags failed to deploy during a severe frontal collision, causing grievous injuries and permanent loss of vision in the right eye.
Hyundai's Defense
The vehicle had previously met with accidents, which could have impaired the airbag system's performance.
Manufacturing Defect
Complainant's Argument
The failure of the airbag system amounted to a manufacturing defect, as the vehicle was involved in a severe frontal collision and the airbags did not deploy.
Hyundai's Defense
There was no evidence to establish that the accident or the injuries were caused by any manufacturing defect or that the conditions necessary for deployment of the airbags were satisfied.
Immediate Complaint
Complainant's Argument
The complainant argued that he had purchased the fully loaded variant of the vehicle for its safety features and that the airbags' failure to deploy was due to a manufacturing defect.
Hyundai's Defense
The complainant did not immediately complain about the airbags after the crash.
- Complainant
- Man who lost vision in one eye
- Vehicle
- 2010-model Hyundai i20
- Accident Location
- Near Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
- Accident Year
- 2015
- Compensation Amount
- Rs 6.15 lakh
- Medical Treatment Cost
- Rs 4 lakh
- Compensation for Pain and Suffering
- Rs 2 lakh
- Litigation Costs
- Rs 15,000