Hyundai Motor Company has issued a recall affecting nearly 50,000 units of its Santa Fe and Santa Fe Hybrid SUVs due to a critical airbag malfunction. The recall affects only 2024 models, but it applies to both the gas and hybrid powertrains. The affected vehicles are a total of 49,719, as it affected 40,144 standard combustion SUVs and 9,575 hybrid models.
Although the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe has been on the market for less than one year, it has already experienced its first recall. The recall is bad timing for the South Korean auto-maker as a brand attempting to expand its presence in the utility market.
Affected Hyundai models
The recall specifically targets the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe and Santa Fe Hybrid SUVs. This decision comes after Hyundai identified a defect in the main floor wiring harnesses, which can chafe against the passenger-side second-row bench seat assemblies.Â
Nature of the problem
Hyundai’s investigation revealed that the problem is caused by a wiring harness that can become damaged, with the floor-mounted harness potentially rubbing and chafing itself on the passenger side of the second-row seats. The wiring harnesses could be damaged over time, leading to unexpected airbag deployments or malfunctions. While no crashes or injuries have been reported as a result of this defect, the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration revealed that the agency found eight instances of airbag irregularities going back to February 5, 2024, but it’s not known if any of these were unexpected deployments. The same documents also record one instance of a rear-side airbag deploying without warning.
Hyundai advises owners of the affected models to be vigilant for certain warning signs. If the airbag warning light illuminates on the dashboard, it could indicate a problem with the airbag system. Owners should seek immediate service if this warning light appears to prevent any potential risks.
Hyundai says that the fix for this recall is fundamentally simple, with dealer technicians inspecting the harness to make sure it isn’t making contact with the seat. If it is making contact and damage is also found, the defective harness will be replaced with a new one that’s shorter and secured so it can’t make any further contact with the seat on that side.
Hyundai has already begun notifying dealerships about the recall but owners will be notified on September 23 to help give dealerships time to prepare for the recall and get the replacement parts needed.Â
The letters will provide instructions on how to proceed with the recall process. Hyundai dealerships are prepared to inspect and repair the faulty wiring harnesses at no cost to the vehicle owners. In cases where the harnesses are damaged, they will be replaced entirely.
For more information, you can contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460 or visit Hyundai’s recall hub.
