Skip to main content

Hyundai recalls 190000 Elantra sedans for airbag risk

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Hyundai have issued a recall for 2007-2009 Elantra sedans for an airbag system sensor that could cause the airbags to open incorrectly, increasing the risk of injury to smaller passengers (especially children) in the event of an accident.

Like many vehicles, the 2007-2009 Hyundai Elantra is equipped with an airbag system that “senses” whether there is a child or adult in the passenger seat so in the event of a small child riding in the front passenger seat, the airbag will not deploy as they can be more damaging than helpful. This system also prevents airbags from opening unnecessarily when there is no one in the passenger seat.

The problem with the systems being recalled in the Hyundai Elantra is that the “brain” of the weight sensing system is housed under the center console, between the front seats. Should this piece of equipment be tampered with or damaged in any way, such as a drink being spilled onto the unit, it could cause the passenger side airbag to deploy regardless of the weight of the passenger.

In total, there are around 190,000 2007-2009 Hyundai Elantra sedans affected by this recall with build dates between July 14th, 2006 and November 1st, 2008. In addition to the passenger side issue, about 96,000 of these same Elantras will receive unrelated service to repair a problem that could cause the driver’s side airbag to deploy if the seat is positioned in a certain way.

The Hyundai Elantra recall is expect to officially begin in early April, and notified customers will have their Hyundai sedans fixed free of charge.

Source: NHTSA

Other Hyundai News:
Yang replaces Lee as R&D chief as Hyundai advances alternative powertrains
Hyundai to supplement Equus manual with free iPad/app
Hyundai partners with NAVTEQ to offer “green routing” navigation

Automotive News
Hyundai