Hyundai Motor America is recalling 978 model year 2021 Elantra, Elantra HEV, Venue, and Genesis GV80 vehicles, as well as model year 2022 Genesis GV70 vehicles, because the front driver-side and passenger-side seat belt pretensioners could explode during a crash.
The automaker said the seat belt pretensioners in affected vehicles were installed from a suspect production lot that contained pyrotechnic-type pretensioners that could deploy during a crash. If this happens, metal fragments could be sprayed into the vehicle occupant compartment and cause injury or even death to drivers or passengers.
In one reported case, a crash involving a Hyundai Elantra caused metal fragments to enter the rear cabin of the vehicle and injured a passenger’s leg.
What to do
Hyundai is working with dealers to replace the seat belt pretensioners at no cost to vehicle owners. Notification letters are expected to be mailed to owners on December 10, 2021.
Consumers can contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or visit the agency’s website for more information.