Hyundai has issued a nationwide recall for 239,000 vehicles due to the risk of some seat belt pretensioners exploding and scattering metal fragments throughout the vehicle. There have been three injuries reported, two in the United States and one in Singapore.
According to a safety recall notice, the recall affects select 2019-2022 Accents, 2021-2023 Elantras, and 2021-2022 Elantra hybrids.
Government officials stated in a letter to the Korean automaker that the driver’s and front passenger’s seat belt pretensioners can explode when deployed, sending shrapnel throughout the vehicle. Pretensioners tighten the seatbelts in the event of a collision.
Vehicles were also recalled due to oil leaks and fire hazards. All automobiles that were repaired in previous recalls will need to visit their Hyundai dealerships again. The affected car models’ seat belt pretensioners will be fitted with a cap at no cost.
Customers who are concerned should call Hyundai customer support at 1-855-371-9460 and mention the recall number 229. They can also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s car safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or file a complaint on the NHTSA’s website, www.nhtsa.gov.
According to the NHTSA, an occupant of a 2021 Hyundai Elantra allegedly suffered a leg injury after the driver’s side seat belt pretensioner exploded in September. Two similar incidents have now been reported to the company, one in the United States and the other in Singapore.
Owners can return their vehicles to dealerships for a free cap to be installed on the pretensioners, which keeps the seatbelt in place in the event of a collision. According to the NHTSA, Hyundai will notify owners through the mail by July 15. The main cause of the problem is currently being investigated by the company.
Owners who had their vehicles serviced for four earlier recalls will have to do it again, according to the NHTSA.
Hyundai Recalls – What are Seat Belt Pretensioners?
When a car is involved in a head-on collision, the seat belt pretensioner is activated. When the airbags deploy, the pretensioner retracts the seatbelt, allowing the rider to sit in a safer position.
After the sensors detect an abrupt deceleration caused by an accident, an explosive charge activates a concealed piston. In a fraction of a second, the piston spools around the fabric strap, removing any slack from the belt.
The precise body position and increased pressure of the seat belt provide the driver and front-seat passenger with the most protection from the front airbags.
The pretensioner also protects the car’s occupants from being thrown around during a crash. Pilots on planes and fighter jets utilize similar equipment to keep them safe if they have to abandon the plane by seat ejection.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drivers who use pretensioners have a better chance of avoiding serious injuries in the event of an accident. They said,
“In passenger cars, CUVs, and minivans, a belted driver or right-front passenger has an estimated 12.8 percent lower fatality risk if the belt is equipped with a pretensioner.”
According to reports, car accidents account for one out of every 84 deaths in the United States. Car safety features such as seat belts, pretensioners, and other safety equipment serve to keep fatalities to a minimum.
A seat belt pretensioner is a critical safety device that employs a controlled explosive charge to tighten the belt at the start of a crash, preventing injuries. The seat belt pretensioners on these recalled vehicles, however, may explode, throwing metal pieces toward the vehicle’s occupants. The main cause of the problem is currently being investigated by the company.
Check to see whether your vehicle has an open recall: NHTSA’s website will tell you whether your vehicle has any open recalls that need to be addressed.
If your car’s 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN) does not appear on the NHTSA website, that implies there are no open recalls for your vehicle right now. We recommend checking back frequently to see if your car has been recalled because automakers conduct recalls frequently and for many older vehicles.
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