Hyundai has added another vehicle to a growing roster included in a recall over a dangerous seatbelt defect. The recall now includes about 72,000 Hyundai Venue subcompact SUVs from model years 2020 through 2022.
That brings the current list of included vehicles to:
- 2019-2022 Hyundai Accent
- 2020-2022 Hyundai Venue
- 2021-2023 Hyundai Elantra
- 2021-2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid
- 2022 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid
Most modern seatbelt systems include a device called a pretensioner, which cinches the belt tight against a passenger’s body in an accident. Pretensioners must do their work almost instantly. So they function with a tiny explosive charge that triggers at the moment of impact.
This explosion is normally contained and produces no shrapnel. But Hyundai is aware of two accidents in which a pretensioner in one of its cars burst in a way that sent tiny fragments into the cabin. Both times, small fragments struck passengers in the legs, causing injuries.
Manufacturers often re-use common parts in many car designs. Hyundai and its sister company, Kia, used the same model of pretensioner in all of the recalled cars.
Dealers will fix the problem by installing a cap that contains any fragments. Recall repairs are always free.
Many cars are recalled, often more than once, during their lifespan. Automakers try to contact every owner but don’t always reach them all. Find out whether your car has any outstanding recalls with the easy VIN tool at our recall center.
