Hyundai has issued a recall alert for a small number of 2022 Elantra sedans to correct a potentially dangerous defect. The recall affects just 140 cars built between July 5 and 14, 2021.
The cars may have defective seatbelt pretensioners that can explode in the event of an accident, sending shrapnel into the passenger cabin.
When working properly, the devices trigger a tiny explosion. Many seatbelt pretensioners use a small pyrotechnic charge to trigger a device that pulls the seatbelt snug in the event of an accident, helping to keep occupants’ bodies firmly in place so they don’t hit deforming parts of the car. But that explosion should not produce shrapnel.
However, Hyundai is aware of at least one accident in which the pretensioner burst, “causing metal fragments to enter the rear cabin and resulting in injury to an occupant’s leg.” Engineers aren’t sure what caused that to happen, so they’ve recalled every pretensioner from the same production lot.
Dealers will replace the pretensioners free of charge.
Recall repairs are always free. Manufacturers attempt to contact every owner, but they don’t always reach them all with the news. Find out if your car has ever been recalled at our recall center.
