239,000 vehicles are now included in a recall by Hyundai for allegedly “exploding seatbelts.” Elantras and Accents with model years 2021 to 2023 are the focus of the recall.
The subject of the recall is seatbelt pretensioners that might blow up in a collision.
Seatbelt pretensioners are designed to quickly retract using an explosion. However, it’s possible that these specific pretentious individuals are exploding violently and spewing shrapnel into the air (giggle repressed).
Three similar cases have so far been reported, two in the United States and one in Singapore, according to Hyundai. Although Hyundai claims that it has not observed the same issue in other models, the design looks to be at fault. That might be related to how these models’ structures behave in a collision.
Hyundai is working to contact the owners of the impacted vehicles.
Hyundai intends to swap out the problematic pretensioners with a new model that incorporates a pressure relief valve. Naturally, the purpose of this valve is to prevent the device from exploding in the event of a crash.
I’ve put 17k miles on the ID.4 over the course of around 11 months. Despite a few problems, I still like the automobile. Due to the terrible software interface and the lack of an update in the United States, I won’t be buying another VW. Despite numerous promises, the EU has received updates but the can keeps getting pushed back.
Another electric vehicle that I preordered from a well-known manufacturer will be delivered in 2023. We will dump the ID.4.
Strangely, over the past 13 years, our family has owned 4 H/K vehicles. Our experience with Kia has been so positive that a family member just bought another one.
Knock wood, the only issues we had were with my MT Sonata, which had been parked outside on a lot for over a full year. All related problems were resolved under warranty. I found it surprising that the brake calipers are a little “funky” and need regular repair. However, some Nissans currently “need” changing the brake fluid every 40,000 kilometers.
Undoubtedly, the resale is not in the Toyota/Honda mold, but neither is the entry barrier. And the additional years and miles on the warranty do offer more assurance.
In This Article...
If you want to see if your car is affected by the Sonata Airbag Control Unit Recall, enter your VIN.
In the US, Hyundai has issued a safety recall for specific vehicles’ electronic airbag control units because:
- Vehicles with the Hyundai Sonata model year 2011–2013.
- Vehicles with the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid model year 2011–2012
How does the safety recall work? The concerned vehicles have an airbag control unit that detects crashes and directs the deployment of seat belt pretensioners and airbags as needed. The frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags may not deploy in some cases due to electrical overstress damage to the module circuitry.
How will Hyundai respond? In the case that your airbag control unit is impacted, your Hyundai dealer will install an external wire filter kit to prevent electrical overstress. This service is offered FREE of charge. The FAQ section contains additional information.
Sonata Hyundai recall
A select number of 2020 Sonata vehicles built between October 22, 2019 and February 13, 2020 are being recalled by Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai). The owner’s manual and the tire pressure placard inside the driver’s door both list the wrong tire size. Because of this, the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, “Tire Selection and Rims,” is not met by these automobiles.
What Must Be Fixed:
In addition to providing updated label stickers over the tire pressure label and in the owner’s handbook at no additional cost, Hyundai will contact owners and dealers. On April 22, 2020, the recall started. Customers of Hyundai can reach them at 1-855-371-9460. The recall number for Hyundai is 190.
2013 Hyundai Sonata Air Bags
Summary:
Certain Sonata and Sonata Hybrid models from the model years 2011 to 2013 are being recalled by Hyundai Motor America, or “Hyundai.” Hyundai Motor Company (“Hyundai”) notified the NHTSA that it was recalling 154,753 Sonata vehicles from the model year 2011 on February 27, 2018. Hyundai increased the recall on April 18, 2018, to cover an additional 425,305 Sonata and Sonata Hybrid vehicles from the 2012–2013 model year. The frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags may not deploy in the event of a crash if the air bag control unit, or “ACU,” experiences a short circuit.
Consequence:
In the case of a vehicle crash where these safety systems are required to deploy, the risk of injury to the occupants of the vehicle is raised if the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled.
Remedy:
Owners will be informed by Hyundai, and dealers will install an external wire filter kit at no additional cost. Beginning on October 15, 2018, the recall. Customers of Hyundai can reach them at 1-855-371-9460. The recall number for Hyundai is 174.
Initiator:
Number:
Normative Safety Number:
Notes:
Owners can also visit www.safercar.gov or call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153).
Automaker warns that safety measures may not function in an accident
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Hyundai is recalling 154,753 of its 2011 Sonata sedans due to the possibility that the front, side, and seatbelt airbags may not deploy in the event of a collision.
The problem with the airbags is a potential short circuit that would stop them from inflating. Pretensioners, which make passengers more secure by reducing extra slack in the belt in an accident, could be a concern with seat belts.
Three automobiles that were involved in collisions but whose airbags failed to inflate are known to Hyundai.
281,000 Hyundai vehicles are being recalled to fix seatbelt explosions.
The parallels between remembers can at times be astounding. For instance, Takata’s exploding airbags grabbed headlines a few years ago when the auto industry issued its largest-ever safety recall. Hyundai has now made similar news this week by recalling 281,000 vehicles to remedy exploding seatbelt pretensioners, although being much smaller.
Since around 2014, anytime someone brought up explosive issues with safety systems, you automatically believed they were referring to the Takata airbag disaster, which erupted everywhere and ultimately brought down the airbag manufacturer.
- affecting over 55 million airbags globally
- 20 major auto manufacturers are affected
- affecting millions of vehicles worldwide
- causing the largest safety recall in the history of the automobile
- more than 20 victims in the United States
- badly hurting more than 200 individuals
The Takata airbag recall is still ongoing, despite the fact that it appears to be coming to an end at this time. Three other manufacturers have since taken over for the key airbag maker Takata. The Honda and Ford vehicle lines that are subject to the safety recall are two of the most renowned. Honda discovered that the airbag recall affected Civics and Accords because it owned an interest in the airbag manufacturer. Ford discovered that the recall mostly affected older compact pickups, including the first Ranger. The identical truck was sold by Mazda under the B2000/B3000 label, therefore that company was also impacted. But as mentioned, the airbag recall affected all manufacturers.
After receiving three injury reports, Hyundai decided to recall the cars, according to Automotive News. The magazine claims that if a collision occurs, the front seatbelt pretensioners on the driver’s or passenger’s side could blow up when they deploy. The safety system includes seatbelt pretensioners, which “lock the seatbelt in place during an accident to give additional protection to occupants.” Dealers will cap the pretensioners in order to solve the issue.
The recall announced this week “expands and replaces four prior recalls. The new patch must be finished on all Accent, Elantra, and Elantra HEV vehicles that have already received repairs as a result of earlier recalls, according to NHTSA.
The current recall, according to Hyundai, “includes 239,000 vehicles in the U.S. and 42,000 in Canada.”
Two of the three recorded injuries occurred in the United States, while one occurred in Singapore.
NHTSA informed the company of “a collision occurrence involving a 2021 Elantra” in one of the incidents. The “driver-side seatbelt pretensioner” apparently “deployed unexpectedly, causing metal pieces to hurt one occupant’s leg,” according to information regarding the collision. The safety organization requested Hyundai to investigate the event.
Hyundai said in a statement to Automotive News that it is currently investigating all of its cars, including the previously recalled Genesis GV70/GV80 models.
Because seatbelts and airbags could malfunction in an accident, Hyundai is recalling 580K Sonatas.
- Because seatbelts and airbags could malfunction in an accident, Hyundai is recalling 580K Sonatas.
Additional 425,305 Hyundai vehicles have been recalled because they may have contributed to at least two fatalities and four injuries. The recall follows the recall of 154,753 comparable Hyundai Sonatas for the same electrical problem in February. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) discovered that in 580,058 Sonatas, an electrical breakdown during a collision can result in the deactivation of the airbags and seatbelt pretensioners.
The in question automobiles were offered for sale as 2011–2013 model years. However, only the 2011 Sonata has been linked to a fatality thus far. The cause of a fifth Sonata accident and death that was just reported in Canada is still being looked into. Authorities think that the airbag control unit, which was provided by the international auto part manufacturer ZF-TRW Automotive, is the source of the issue.
The NHTSA is looking into at least two further accidents that were similar, but Hyundais were not involved in those occurrences. The same issue is apparently present in a 2012 and a 2013 Kia Forte that were both fitted with ZF-TRW airbag control units. Despite having a sizable shareholding in Hyundai, Kia has not yet disclosed a recall. Two years prior, a similar problem involving a ZF-TRW Automotive product that abruptly ceased functioning at the most crucial moment forced Fiat Chrysler to recall 1,425,627 of its automobiles. during a mishap.
Hyundai has announced the recall of more than 500,000 vehicles, however they have not yet disclosed a fix for the issue. Owners of recalled Sonatas were informed by a Hyundai representative that they may keep driving their cars until a solution was found. However, given that a fifth tragedy may be linked to a Sonata that has been recalled, the spokesperson’s remarks would not do much to allay Hyundai drivers’ worries. The South Korean automaker also advised owners to take their Sonatas to a dealership right away if the airbag warning light is on.
In addition, Hyundai has recalled 27,029 of its Ioniq hybrid vehicles due to the possibility of an oil leak that might start a fire. 10,156 hybrid Kia Niro vehicles from the same model year as the 2017 Ioniqs and 10,156 Ioniqs have the potential oil leak. A defective hydraulic clutch actuator that can come unsealed near the cap and start a fire is present in both the Ioniq and the Niro. Beginning on June 15, the recalled Hyundai Ioniq and Kia Niro cars will be inspected, and any defective parts will be changed free of charge to the owner.
Locate the vehicle identification number (VIN) and go to https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if your car has been recalled.
580,058 Hyundai Sonatas are recalled due to faulty airbags.
Due to malfunctioning airbags, Hyundai has increased the scope of a prior Sonata recall to cover a total of 580,058 vehicles.
The issue is an electrical one that could result in the seatbelt pretensioners and airbags disabling in the case of a collision.
Hyundai has already documented four accidents that resulted in two fatalities and four injuries. In Canada, an investigation is ongoing into a fifth accident that resulted in one fatality. In the reported crashes, the airbag control unit had electrical damage.
The defective Sonata airbag control unit was made by ZF-TRW, which also made the part that caused a Fiat Chrysler recall in 2016 of nearly 1.4 million cars.
In February of this year, Hyundai issued its first recall affecting 154,753 2011 Hyundai Sonatas. Some 2011-2012 Sonata Hybrids and 2012-2013 Sonatas are now included in this enlarged recall.
As of the time this article was written, Hyundai claimed that owners may keep operating the recalled Sonatas until a fix was decided upon because the associated crashes only happened occasionally. Owners of the concerned cars should bring in their vehicles as soon as the dealers have a remedy.
Enter the VIN number of the automobile you drive onto the NHTSA website to determine if it is affected or to search any active recalls.