Hyundai and Kia are investigated over exploding seat belts

Hyundai and Kia are investigated over exploding seat belts

September 4, 2022 Bojan Popic ,

Washington, D.C. – September 4, 2022 – The U.S. government’s auto safety regulator is investigating several Hyundai (NASDAQ:HYMTF) and its subsidiary Kia (OTCMKTS:KIMTF) models over an allegation that their seat belt pretensioners may explode when deployed. This may send metal shrapnel flying through the cabin, potentially injuring the occupants. 

If the investigation leads to a recall, it could affect an estimated 275,000 vehicles, including: 

  • 2020 – 2022 Hyundai Accent
  • 2021 – 2022 Hyundai Elantra
  • 2021 – 2022 Hyundai Elantra HEV
  • 2021 – 2022 Hyundai Venue
  • 2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid 
  • 2022 Kia Sorento PHEV
  • 2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid 
  • 2022 Kia Sorento PHEV
  • 2022 Genesis GV70
  • 2021 Genesis GV80

Investigation summary  

The regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), opened an investigation on August 8, 2022 following three complaints about seat belt pretensioner rupturing or exploding during deployment. Based on the allegations, occupants were injured by flying metal shards in all three cases. 

There have been five recalls  – with all of them including one of the vehicles above – due to this issue. The investigation is being opened to both evaluate “the adequacy” of these recalls and their scope. 

What are seat belt pretensioners?

Seat belt pretensioners help tighten up the seat belt around the passenger’s torso in case of a collision. These are pyrotechnic devices, designed to deploy quickly and forcefully without breaking apart.

Risks

If the pretensioner explodes, it could send metal fragments into the vehicle,  striking occupants and resulting in an injury. 

Other Hyundai recalls 

There was a Hyundai Genesis recall in the spring of last year due to the risk of “short circuit risk in the anti-lock brake system,” as reported.

Both Kia and Hyundai are subject to a separate U.S. government investigation due to multiple non-crash related fires, as reported.

The latest recall for exploding pretensioners  was in May 2022, and it affected more than 200,000 vehicles. There was also a similar recall just before it, in April 2022, although with a significantly smaller scope.  

Is your vehicle part of a recall?

This investigation may eventually lead to a Hyundai seat belt recall, possibly affecting over a quarter of a million vehicles. To do a Hyundai recall check and see if your car might be a part of it, please bookmark MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicHyundai and Kia are investigated over exploding seat belts
Hyundai recalls vehicles whose windshields may detach

Hyundai recalls vehicles whose windshields may detach

January 23, 2022 Bojan Popic

Fountain Valley, CA – January 23, 2022 –  Hyundai (OTCMKTS:HYMTF) is recalling  26,413 sedans and SUVs whose windshields may separate during a collision. This increases the risk of injury for the car occupants and surrounding pedestrians. Vehicles that are part of this recall include:

  • 2021 Hyundai Elantra 
  • 2021 Hyundai Sonata 
  • 2020 – 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe 

Recall summary  

Due to a supplier error, the recalled vehicles may have been painted with a clear coat that does not meet manufacturer’s specifications. As a result, the sealant that holds the windshield in place may not adequately bond with the metal beneath it and cause the windshield to detach during a collision. 

The component in question is the front windshield panel with multiple part numbers including 86110L0130 and 86110AB045, depending on the model. 

Recall risks

The detaching windshield could injure passengers inside the vehicle, other motorists and nearby pedestrians.

Warning signs 

The sealant that holds the windshield in place may partially separate from the surrounding body frame. If that happens, drivers may notice “wind noise” while driving or “water leaking” into the cabin when it rains. 

Other Hyundai recalls 

Some of these vehicles may have been affected by a fire-related Hyundai Sonata Recall from September of last year. There was a Hyundai Elantra recall in October, caused by a seat belt issue. 

The repair

To fix the issue, dealers will remove the windshield and apply a different type of sealing material, which will ensure that it will stay in place. Notifications about this replacement will be sent to vehicle owners on February 25, 2022. All repairs will be done free of charge.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

This Hyundai windshield recall is affecting more than 20,000 vehicles. To do a Hyundai recall check and see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicHyundai recalls vehicles whose windshields may detach
Recall Lookup
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