NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
Recall Query RQ22-003: Seat Belt Pretensioners May Rupture
- Closed
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened Recall Query RQ22-003 on August 8, 2022 and closed it on May 26, 2023. NHTSA's investigations file lists 8 models from 3 makes for it and links recalls 23V-094 and 23V-210 to it.
Updated daily from NHTSA's investigations file
Key facts
- NHTSA number
- RQ22-003 (also written RQ22003)
- Investigation type
- Recall Query An investigation into whether an existing recall covers the right vehicles or whether its remedy works, run much like a Preliminary Evaluation.
- Status
- Closed May 26, 2023
- Opened
- Closed
- Vehicle or equipment manufacturers
- Hyundai Motor America; Kia America, Inc.
- Components
- Seat Belts; Seat Belts — Front; Seat Belts — Pretensioner
- Recalls linked by NHTSA
- Vehicles and equipment
- 8 models from 3 makes, including the Hyundai Accent and Hyundai Elantra
NHTSA's summary
As NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation wrote it for Recall Query RQ22-003.
On August 8, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Recall Query (RQ) based on 3 incidents alleging front seat belt pretensioners that may rupture during deployment, on model year (MY) 2020-2022 of various Hyundai and Kia Models, resulting in 3 injuries (note: one incident occurred outside the U.S. and its territories).
Between October 2021 and March 2023, Hyundai and Kia have filed the following 11 safety recalls for pretensioner rupture: NHTSA Recall No. 21V-796, 22V-069, 22V-123, 22V-127, 22V-218, 22V-354, 22V-447, 22V-458, 22V-816, 23V-094, and 23V-210.
Hyundai/Kia have stated that the abnormal deployment of the pretensioners is due to over-pressurization of the pretensioner pipe that can cause metal fragments to enter the vehicle occupant compartment, which can result in injury to vehicle occupants.
The various makes/models covered by the above recalls include approximately 405,900 certain 2020-2022 Hyundai Accent, 2021-2022 Hyundai Elantra and Elantra HEV, 2021-2022 Hyundai Santa Fe HEV, 2022-2023 Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV, 2020-2022 Hyundai Venue, 2021-2023 Genesis G80, 2023 Genesis G80 EV, 2023 Genesis G90, 2023 Genesis GV60 EV, 2022-2023 Genesis GV70, 2021-2023 Genesis GV80, 2021-2022 Kia Sorento HEV, and 2022 Kia Sorento PHEV.In response to ODI's investigation, in December 2022, Hyundai notified ODI that they would be conducting testing to validate subject vehicle seat belt pretensioners. This evaluation included sled testing and software testing which was performed by Hyundai and its suppliers. The tests were intended to evaluate pretensioner deployment characteristics based on the unique deployment signature of the subject and peer vehicles. ODI met with representatives from Hyundai on several occasions during the investigation to discuss testing progress and data. As a result of the testing, Hyundai was able to simulate the pretensioner failures. It was determined by Hyundai during testing, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioners may explode upon deployment in the event of a crash which can cause metal fragments to enter the vehicle occupant compartment.
Hyundai thus notified ODI of their decision to proceed with a safety recall, to expand the scope of the previous safety actions.
In view of the recall actions taken by Hyundai and Kia, ODI concerns have been addressed. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.
Vehicles and equipment listed for this investigation
NHTSA's investigations file lists these vehicles and equipment for Recall Query RQ22-003. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. Model years with a try.vin recall page link to that page's NHTSA investigations section.
What an NHTSA investigation is
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) looks into possible safety defects in vehicles and equipment, often after owner complaints. An investigation usually starts as a Preliminary Evaluation, or as a Recall Query when it concerns whether an existing recall covers the right vehicles or fixes the problem, and ODI can upgrade it to a more detailed Engineering Analysis. A Defect Petition asks NHTSA to open an investigation, and Audit and Equipment Queries are administrative investigations into whether companies complied with federal vehicle safety requirements, such as reporting, recall and certification rules.
An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.
To see whether a specific vehicle has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Free VIN check: decode a VIN to see its year, make and model.
Sources
NHTSA's investigation record for RQ22-003
Investigation details come from NHTSA's investigations file, which try.vin imports once a day. The investigation types are described from the U.S. Department of Transportation Inspector General's May 2023 report on NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation, NHTSA's petition rules (49 CFR Parts 552 and 557) and NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation procedures. How try.vin reads NHTSA investigations.