Hyundai Recalls 10,000 Azeras To Fix Defective Seat Switch

Imagine driving down an Interstate in your Hyundai Azera and suddenly finding that the seatback starts to swing backward into a reclining position without your finger on the seat switch. Or, how about feeling the seat start to move back and feeling your foot come off the gas with no way to reach it; ditto to the brakes.

10,000 Azeras Recalled

Can you see the problem with this? Not only is it not the way seats should work, but it is also downright dangerous. Well, that is what may be going on at any time in any of 10,000 2007-08 Azeras that have been recalled by the South Korean automaker.

According to the federal safety agency, Hyundai installed a defective switch, made by Duck II Industries, in those particular vehicles. It turns out that the switches may be shorting out due to the conditions under which they were made. The switches could have been exposed to moisture – or other contaminants – causing the switch connections to short out.

As a result, NHTSA says, the Azera’s six-way power seat may not operate at all. Or, if it is working, it may move backward or forward; up or down, or the seatback may recline or move forward.

The resulting situation may cause a dangerous distraction for the operator, increasing the chances of an accident.

The recall applies to Azeras built between March 7 and Aug. 14, 2007.

Azera Recall Notices

Hyundai will begin mailing recall notices to the owners of affected vehicles on Oct. 28. The notice tells owners to take their vehicles to their local Hyundai dealership for free service. At the dealership, the seat will be switched out at no charge. If you already have had the repair done, be sure you have retained the proper documentation – the repair slip – so you can be reimbursed.

For more information, you can call NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236. The NHTSA recall is 16V630000. You can also contact Hyundai’s customer service department at 855-371-9460. Its Hyundai recall number is 150.

The carconnection.com provided the information for this story.