Hyundai Santa Fe Airbag May Not Deactivate

NHTSA campaign 21V185000 · Reported Mar 17, 2021 · Hyundai Motor America

high How serious is it? About this label

In a crash, if the airbag deploys with a child in that seat, it can increase the risk of injury to the child. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.

Key facts

NHTSA campaign number	21V185000
Reported to NHTSA	Mar 17, 2021
Manufacturer	Hyundai Motor America
Part affected	AIR Bags: AIR Bag/restraint Control Module
Vehicles covered	1 model/year combination, model years 2021
Do-not-drive advisory	No
Park-outside advisory	No
Repair	Free at any franchised dealer

What's wrong, in plain English

On certain 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles, a system that detects whether a child restraint is in the front passenger seat may fail to work correctly. This system is supposed to turn off the front passenger airbag when it senses a child seat is installed there, but on affected vehicles it may not switch the airbag off the way it's supposed to.

What you should do

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
2. Contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.
3. Dealers will replace the sensing module, free of charge.

Where do I find my VIN, and what do I tell the dealer?

Your VIN is the 17-character code on the lower left of the windshield, on your registration and usually on your insurance card. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether this recall is still open on your car. When you call the dealer, say you have an open safety recall and give them NHTSA campaign number 21V185000. More in how recalls work.

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 Air Bag Recalls Cover Deployment and Passenger Detection Problems · all 11 Hyundai recalls in this area

Other Hyundai Santa FE recalls

Apr 6, 2026Genesis and Hyundai Seat Belt Anchors May Detachhigh
Nov 21, 2025Hyundai Santa Fe, Tucson Air Bags May Not Deployhigh
Nov 21, 2025Hyundai Santa Fe rearview camera image may not displayhigh
Oct 2, 2025Hyundai Santa Fe Starter Cover Risks Electrical Shorthigh
Aug 26, 2025Hyundai Tucson, Santa Fe Engine Bolts May Loosencritical
Nov 21, 2024Hyundai Rearview Camera May Fail To Displaymedium

All 20 Santa FE recalls

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.