Photo: Hyundai
In early 2013, about 200,000 Hyundai Elantra sedans were recalled due to a side-curtain airbag bracket that could dislodge in a side impact and injure an occupant. After investigating the similarity between the airbag brackets in the Elantra and the Elantra Touring, Hyundai decided to issue a recall for about 35,000 Elantra Touring hatchbacks from the 2010 to 2012 model years.
The two cars use different brackets to hold the side-curtain airbag into the headliner, but they are similar enough that Hyundai feels the one used in the Elantra Touring might still dislodge from the headliner. In the case of the Elantra sedan, 186,000 units were recalled after an occupant had their severed, but Hyundai says there have been no injuries at all associated with the Elantra Touring.
During the course of the investigation, Hyundai found a wrecked 2010 Elantra Touring in a salvage yard, and it had a deployed side-curtain airbag on the driver’s side that had a dislodged support bracket. Additionally, there were warranty claims for these models for rattling in the headliner, which turned out to be these very brackets that had started to separate from the headliner.
Affected are 2010 through 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring hatchbacks that were built between December 9, 2012 and May 7, 2012. Earlier models used a shorter bracket that wasn’t prone to dislodging, and the Elantra Touring was replaced for 2013 by the Hyundai Elantra GT. In addition to the 35,000 units being recalled in the U.S., another 23,600 are being recalled in Canada.
To remedy the dislodged support bracket, Hyundai dealers will add adhesive strips to keep the brackets in place, but the recall isn’t expected to go into effect until August. Until then, owners of affected cars can contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151 or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration either using the Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) or by visiting www.safercar.gov.
During the course of the investigation, Hyundai found a wrecked 2010 Elantra Touring in a salvage yard, and it had a deployed side-curtain airbag on the driver’s side that had a dislodged support bracket. Additionally, there were warranty claims for these models for rattling in the headliner, which turned out to be these very brackets that had started to separate from the headliner.
Affected are 2010 through 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring hatchbacks that were built between December 9, 2012 and May 7, 2012. Earlier models used a shorter bracket that wasn’t prone to dislodging, and the Elantra Touring was replaced for 2013 by the Hyundai Elantra GT. In addition to the 35,000 units being recalled in the U.S., another 23,600 are being recalled in Canada.
To remedy the dislodged support bracket, Hyundai dealers will add adhesive strips to keep the brackets in place, but the recall isn’t expected to go into effect until August. Until then, owners of affected cars can contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151 or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration either using the Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) or by visiting www.safercar.gov.
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