Hyundai Accent, Elantra Recall Issued After Seatbelt Explosions and Injuries

The seatbelt explosions are caused by seatbelte tensioner charges which could send shrapnel into the passenger’s compartment.

Hyundai is recalling nearly a quarter million Accent and Elantra vehicles, following reports of the seatbelts exploding during auto accidents, which have resulted in at least three injuries.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced the Hyundai seatbelt recall on May 23, following problems with seatbelt pretensioner explosions. Of the three injuries reported in connection with the problem, two occurred in the United States.

The pretensioner is a safety device that uses a controlled explosive charge to tighten the belt at the onset of a crash, in order to prevent injuries among passengers. On the recalled vehicles, the seatbelt pretensioner explode in a way that could send metal fragments toward the vehicle’s occupants, leading to injuries. Hyundai says it is still investigating the underlying cause of the problem.

The recall affects 239,000 Hyundai vehicles including model year 2019 to 2022 Accent vehicles manufactured April 22, 2019, through May 22, 2022; 2021 to 2023 Elantra vehicles, manufactured Sept. 12, 2020, through May 22, 2022; and 2021 to 2022 Elantra Hybrid vehicles manufactured Dec. 15, 2020, through May 9, 2022..

Hyundai issued a recall for Genesis vehicles in 2021, and earlier this year for a similar issue. These vehicles will need another recall fix. All vehicles repaired under previous recalls will need to have a new remedy for this recall completed.

Hyundai indicates dealerships will install a protective cap on the faulty seatbelt pretensioners in the affected vehicles free of charge to fix the problem. Recall notices will be mailed to owners beginning July 15.

Hyundai will contact owners of affected vehicles by mail starting July 15, 2022. Owners can also contact Hyundai at 855-371-9460 using NHTSA campaign number 22V354 or Hyundai recall number 229.

To check to see if your vehicle is part of any open recall put your 17-digit vehicle identification number into the NHTSA’s website.