Hyundai issues recall for Santa Fe, Sonata

Published 8:44 am Monday, July 30, 2012

Hyundai Motor Co. is recalling more than 200,000 vehicles due to problems with their airbags.

According to a report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, malfunctions were discovered with the air bags in Santa Fe SUVs built between April 19, 2006, and July 7, 2008, and in Sonata sedans built from January 24 to June 21 of this year.

According to the NHTSA’s report, the front passenger airbags of the Sante Fe appeared to have an improper classification system, which could put “small bodied people at risk.”

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The report said, “The occupant classification system may need recalibration to accurately detect small statured adults.”

Hyundai said it has received complaints from some adults weighing less than 132 pounds whose airbags didn’t deploy during an accident. The airbags were programmed not to go off in order to protect children.

No injuries were reported as a result of the malfunction.

The sensors in the Sonata’s side airbags need reprogramming because they may inflate without receiving a signal, according to the report.

According to Hyundai, the company has received 16 complaints concerning the Sonata. No injuries were reported with the complaints.

Hyundai plans to recall 199,118 Santa Fe SUVs and 22,500 Sonatas.

Owners can contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.