Hyundai Accent & Elantra Seat Belt Pretensioner Could Explode

This recall is an expansion and replaces NHTSA recalls 21V-796, 22V-069, 22V-218, and 22V-123. All Accent, Elantra, and Elantra HEV vehicles already repaired under these recalls will need to have the new fix completed.

The vehicles affected include:

In September 2021, the NHTSA Office Of Defects Investigation (ODI) and Hyundai became aware of a crash involving a 2021 Elantra, where the driver-side seat belt pretensioner deployed abnormally. The abnormal deployment caused metal fragments to enter the vehicle cabin and injure an occupant's leg. Although the cause of the problem was unknown, a safety recall of 2021 Elantra, 2021 Elantra HEV and 2021 Venue vehicles equipped with pretensioners produced within the same production lot was conducted. By April, the recall had been expanded to include 2021-2022 Elantra and 2020 Accent vehicles equipped with pretensioners from an earlier production lot. Vehicles repaired under the previous recalls were included and needed to be repaired again.

Based on findings from testing by design affiliates and the pretensioner supplier, who was successful in replicating the abnormal deployment condition, a fix that would secure the micro gas generator connection with a cap to eliminate the stress that could potentially increase the risk of an abnormal deployment was developed. Testing has confirmed the effectiveness of the cap, and all Elantra and Accent vehicles equipped with the subject pretensioner, including those already involved in previous recalls, will be recalled for the fix. Hyundai is still actively investigating the remaining Hyundai Venue and Genesis GV70/GV80 vehicles involved.

All owners of the affected vehicles will be asked to return to their Hyundai dealer to have the seat belt pretensioner’s micro gas generator and delivery pipe secured with a cap to prevent potential abnormal deployment. Hyundai's number for this recall is 229 and the NHTSA campaign number is 22V-354.