Last Updated on February 16, 2024
NHTSA issued a recall on May 19 for defective seat belt pretensioners that could explode sending shrapnel throughout the cabin of certain Hyundai vehicles.
Although the root cause for the Hyundai recall exploding seat belts failure is unknown at this time, it’s being reported that Hyundai and NHTSA are actively investigating the defect.
Included in the Hyundai recall over exploding seat belts are the 2019–2022 Hyundai Accent, 2021–2023 Elantra, and 2021–2022 Elantra Hybrid vehicles. A total of 239,000 Hyundai vehicles are being recalled under the NHTSA 22V-354 campaign. To date, three injuries have occurred due to the defect.
It’s still unclear why the pretensioners malfunctioned and exploded during deployment. In fact, Hyundai claims the estimated percentage of vehicles with the exploding seat belt defect is 1%.
However, at no cost to Hyundai owners, the dealership will secure the pretensioner’s micro gas generator and delivery pipe to stop the possibility of an abnormal deployment.
Which Hyundai Models Are Being Recalled Over Exploding Seat Belts
The Hyundai 2019-2022 Elantra, 2021-2022 Elantra Hybrid, and 2019-2022 Accent are part of the 22V-354 safety recall due to seat belts that may explode.
Both Hyundai and Kia have issued a total of five separate recalls from October 2021 to April of this year concerning seat belt pretensioner explosions.
Vehicle owners are being urged to take their vehicles to a dealership for inspection as soon as possible.
Hyundai Recall Exploding Seat Belt Injuries
According to reports, three injuries have occurred due to the defect. Two of the injuries have been reported in the U.S., and one in Singapore, according to the Associated Press.
Hyundai is currently investigating further to determine the cause of the explosions and plans to provide more information in the coming weeks.
However, a class action lawsuit was recently announced, forcing the automaker to fix the problem. The lawsuit alleges that the automaker knew about the problem and failed to take action.
If the lawsuit is successful, it could have a big impact on the companies safety reputation.
Office of Defects Opens New Query Into Seat Belt Pretensioners
The big news is that there’s a larger investigation into the seat belt defect. The NHTSAs Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) announced it’s diving deeper into this matter.
The government safety group recently opened a new query into faulty seat belt pretensioner recall.
The hope is to help identify the root cause of the seat belt defect. To do this, engineers are running tests and conducting analyses. They’re looking at everything from the materials used in the seat belts to the manufacturing process.
By finding the root cause, they can prevent future defects and keep everyone safe.
Additionally, the ODI is investigating whether other Hyundai and Kia models contain the same defect. If the results of their investigation show that the defect is widespread, they will take appropriate action against Hyundai/Kia to protect consumers.
Currently, ODI is investigating the exploding seat belt defect in the following Hyundai/Kia models:
- 2021-2022 Hyundai Elantra
- 2021-2022 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid
- 2021 Hyundai Venue
- 2021 Genesis GV80
- 2022 Genesis GV70
- 2020-2021 Hyundai Accent
- 2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid
- 2022 Kia Sorento PHEV
The seat belt pretensioners are supplied by Korean seat belt supplier Samsong Industries Co., Ltd. The company has been in business since 1978, and is one of the world’s leading suppliers of seat belts and other safety-related products.
Samsong also supplies automakers such as General Motors with it’s safety equipment.
Hyundai Recall Exploding Seat Belts Part Numbers
According to Hyundai documentation, the affected seat belt pretensioners include the following part numbers:
- 88810-J0600
- 88820-J0600
- 88810-AA500
- 88820-AA500
Under the vehicle recall, dealers will secure the pretensioner with a cap to prevent abnormal deployment during an accident.
Hyundai Recall Exploding Seat Belts FAQs
What is a Seat Belt Pretensioner?
A seat belt pretensioner is a part of the seat belt system that locks the seatbelt in place in the event of a crash.
How Does a Seat Belt Pretensioner Work?
During a collision, the pretensioner utilizes an explosive charge to initiate a concealed piston when sensors detect an accident is occurring.
The piston then proceeds to spool the fabric strap the seat belt is wrapped around rapidly, removing any slack from the seat belt. This mechanism is critical in the event of an accident as it firmly positions the passengers in their seats.
Which Hyundai/Kia Cars Have Seat Belt Pretensioner Recalls?
Currently, the following vehicles have been recalled for defective seat belts under the NHTSA 22V-354 notice:
- 2019-2022 Elantra
- 2021-2022 Elantra Hybrid
- 2019-2022 Accent
Will Hyundai Replace the Car?
Hyundai has announced that they will not replace the recalled vehicles, but will instead provide a fix. This fix will be available for all affected vehicles starting July 15th.
Does Hyundai Fix Recalls for Free?
If you’re driving a recalled Hyundai, you might be wondering if the company will fix any recalls for free. The answer is yes – Hyundai will take care of recall repairs at no cost to you.
Be aware that car recalls do not expire. This means that if a car has been recalled for any reason, the recall is still in effect and must be addressed.
Therefore, it’s important to check for recalls on any car you’re considering purchasing, as well as checking for updates on any recalls that may affect your current vehicle.
What is Hyundai’s Number for The Exploding Seat Belts Recall?
Hyundai’s number for the exploding seat belts recall is 229. This recall affects an estimated 239,000 2019-2022 Hyundai vehicles.
If you have a recalled Hyundai, you can call the company’s customer service number for more information.
Final Thoughts
The ODI’s investigation into the Hyundai exploding seat belt defect is important, and we should get word on their findings in the coming months.
In the meantime, it’s crucial that we keep a close eye on Hyundai and make sure they’re doing everything they can to ensure the safety of their drivers.
We’ll continue to update this post as we learn more about the ODI Hyundai recall exploding seat belt investigation. Please consider subscribing to this post for critical updates on this developing story.
If you own one of these affected vehicles, please be sure to contact your local car Hyundai dealership right away for the seat belt pretensioner recall fix.
You can also call Hyundai Customer Service at 1-800-633-5151 for more information.
Managing Editor
Christopher is an automotive technical writer. When he’s not at the local autocross event, he can often be found working on one of his cars. Specializes in automotive class action law, industry trends, and automotive maintenance. Email me direct, or learn more about us
