The May 2022 Hyundai seatbelt recall applies to 2019-2022 Accent, 2021-2023 Elantra, and 2021-2022 Elantra hybrid electric vehicles, and follows previous recalls for the same defect and three reports of injuries. These vehicles utilize driver and passenger pyrotechnic-type seat belt pretensioners, which Hyundai estimates may be defective in 1% of the recalled vehicles, causing them to deploy abnormally during a crash, potentially injuring the driver or passengers. Hyundai is still investigating the cause of the defect but it has issued a fix for existing vehicles.

What should you do if you own a Hyundai?

If you have a Hyundai vehicle that is subject to the recall, you should receive a letter in the mail advising you to bring your vehicle to a Hyundai dealer who will secure the seat belt pretensioner’s micro gas generator and delivery pipe with a cap to prevent abnormal deployment. You do not have to wait until you receive a letter. You can check if your vehicle is subject to the recall on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website here. If you are in the class of vehicles in the recall, you should contact your Hyundai dealer immediately to get the modifications at no charge.

What if you are having other problems with your Hyundai?

If you are having problems other than exploding seat belts with your Hyundai, you are not alone. We hear from many Hyundai owners with defective vehicles, and we have helped them to get their legal entitlements. In a successful lemon law claim, a defective vehicle owner can get a replacement vehicle, reimbursement of their vehicle purchase price, and their attorneys’ fees paid.

Some of the common problems that we hear about with Hyundai vehicles, which we discussed in more detail in a recent blog, are:

• Failing Transmission – jerking, leaking transmission fluid, rough shifting, and vibrations under the pedal are some of the symptoms reported in Hyundai vehicles. Owners have been forced to carry out extensive repairs or completely replace the transmission in a new Hyundai.
• Defective Warning Lights and Dashboard – the dashboard lights and CEL in Hyundai vehicles sometimes seem to have a mind of their own. They flash on without reason, cannot be explained by the dealer, and the instrument gauge has even appeared upside down in some Hyundai Santa Fe models.
• Faulty Sensors and Cameras – problems with cooling temperature sensors, mass air flow sensors, collision warning sensors, and backup cameras are all reported in Hyundai vehicles, often leading to weeks of trying to diagnose and repair the problem.
• Problems with the FCA – the Forward Collision Avoidance system is a major issue in Hyundai vehicles and a huge safety risk for drivers. Defective FCA systems are causing some Hyundai cars and SUVs to stop without warning, and others not to stop at all.
• Airbag Issues – Hyundai vehicles have been investigated for failing airbags along with other makes and models. Recently, clients have complained to us that their airbag did not deploy at all in a collision.
• Bad Smell – we previously talked about the foul odor in some Hyundai Palisade vehicles, and the problem has not gone away for everyone, even after all the fixes offered by Hyundai. Hyundai Palisade seat rests and cavities are still a smelly issue for some owners.

What if the dealer does not fix your recalled or defective Hyundai?

Some Hyundai owners have told us that they brought their recalled Hyundai to the dealer for repair but the dealer does not have the parts to fix it. Parts shortage is a problem for all automakers at the minute. Supply chain difficulties and a global shortage of semi-conductor chips and other components have reduced the number of new vehicles being produced and caused long delays in getting some repair parts, as we discussed in this blog article.

But you cannot and should not drive an unsafe vehicle. And you are protected by law from being stuck with a vehicle that you recently bought but cannot use. Lemon laws give new vehicle owners the right to a replacement vehicle or reimbursement of their purchase price if their defective vehicle is not repaired by the manufacturer or dealer within a reasonable time (typically 30 days or 3 repair attempts but these numbers vary by state.) Even a vehicle under a recall notice is within the protection of lemon law. Therefore if your dealer cannot get the necessary parts, or does not complete necessary repairs for some other reason, within the lemon law time limit in your state, you may be eligible to bring a lemon law claim, and get a replacement vehicle, compensation, or reimbursement of your vehicle purchase price.

If you are having problems with your Hyundai, we may be able to help. Our experienced lemon law attorneys can advise you about your legal rights and options, and explain how a lemon law case is free to you.

Contact us at Timothy Abeel & Associates for a free, no-obligation case review.

Timothy J. Abeel & Associates, P.C. represent clients throughout California, Florida, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Reviews can be seen on AVVO, Google, Glen Mills Yelp, Roseland Yelp, & Pittsburgh Yelp.