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May 25, 2023

Hyundai Accent and Elantra Recalled for Seat Belt Pretensioner Issue

In a crash, the seat belt pretensioners might explode and send metal fragments toward vehicle occupants Hyundai is recalling 239,000 vehicles including the 2019 to 2022 Accent, 2021 to 2023 Elantra,

In a crash, the seat belt pretensioners might explode and send metal fragments toward vehicle occupants

Hyundai is recalling 239,000 vehicles including the 2019 to 2022 Accent, 2021 to 2023 Elantra, and 2021 to 2022 Elantra Hybrid because their seat belt pretensioners may explode and cause injuries during a crash.

A seat belt pretensioner is an important safety device that uses a controlled explosive charge to tighten the belt at the onset of a crash in order to prevent injury. However, on these recalled vehicles, the seat belt pretensioners could explode in a way that sends metal fragments toward the vehicle’s occupants. The automaker is still investigating the root cause of this problem.

To fix the problem, Hyundai dealerships will install a protective cap on the faulty pretensioners, free of charge.

Hyundai already recalled a small number of Hyundai and Genesis vehicles in 2021 and earlier in 2022 for a similar issue. These vehicles will need another recall fix.

In documents provided to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the automaker says it is aware of three injuries related to the recall, two of which took place in the U.S.

Vehicles Recalled• Hyundai Accent sedans manufactured from April 22, 2019, through May 22, 2022• Hyundai Elantra sedans manufactured from Sept. 12, 2020, through May 22, 2022• Hyundai Elantra Hybrid sedans manufactured from Dec. 15, 2020, through May 9, 2022

The problem: The seat belt pretensioners may explode during a crash, sending metal fragments toward vehicle occupants.

The fix: Hyundai dealerships will put a protective cap on the pretensioners, free of charge.

How to contact the manufacturer: Hyundai will contact owners of affected vehicles by mail starting July 15, 2022. Owners can also contact Hyundai at 855-371-9460.

NHTSA campaign number: 22V354. Hyundai’s own number for this recall is 229.

Check to see whether your vehicle has an open recall: NHTSA’s website will tell you whether your vehicle has any open recalls that need to be addressed.

If you plug your car’s 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN) into NHTSA’s website and a recall doesn’t appear, it means your vehicle doesn’t currently have any open recalls. Because automakers issue recalls often, and for many older vehicles, we recommend checking back regularly to see whether your vehicle has had a recall issued.

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Keith Barry

Keith Barry has been an auto reporter at Consumer Reports since 2018. He focuses on safety, technology, and the environmental impact of cars. Previously, he led home and appliance coverage at Reviewed; reported on cars for USA Today, Wired, and Car & Driver; and wrote for other publications as well. Keith earned a master’s degree in public health from Tufts University. Follow him on Twitter @itskeithbarry.