Hyundai Santa Fe airbag may not switch off for child seats

NHTSA campaign 21V185000 · Reported 2021-03-17 · Hyundai Motor America

high How serious is it? About this label

In the event of a crash, deployment of the front passenger air bag, with a child in that seat, can increase the risk of injury to the child. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.

What's wrong, in plain English

Some 2021 Hyundai Santa Fes have a faulty sensor system in the front passenger seat. That system is supposed to notice when a child safety seat is in that spot and shut the front passenger airbag off. On these vehicles it may leave the airbag switched on. An airbag going off in a crash can seriously hurt a child sitting there. Hyundai says every affected vehicle was already repaired as of May 2021, with the sensor replaced free.

What you should do

1. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the repair was completed on your vehicle.
2. If it still shows open, contact a Hyundai dealer or Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460 about recall 202.
3. Have the occupant detection sensor replaced free of charge, and keep child seats in the back until then.

Affected vehicles (1)

2021 Hyundai Santa FE

Who to contact

Hyundai — official Hyundai recall lookup

Customer service: 1-855-371-9460

Any franchised dealer for the brand can do the repair. Phone numbers are taken from manufacturer sites and recent NHTSA notices; if one has changed, the number in your own recall letter is the one to use.

The bigger picture

Hyundai airbag recalls: are Santa Fe and Palisade curtain airbags safe? · all 10 Hyundai recalls in this area

Official notice

Component: AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE
Summary: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021 Santa Fe vehicles. The Occupant Detection System (ODS) module may not deactivate the air bag upon detection of a child restraint system in the front passenger seat. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Safety risk: In the event of a crash, deployment of the front passenger air bag, with a child in that seat, can increase the risk of injury to the child.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ODS module, free of charge. All affected vehicles have been remedied as of May 12, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 202.

Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.