Seat Belts Detatch During a Crash

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#recall #airbags-and-seat-belts #interior
An illustrated and oversized seat belt over a red Hyundai.

Following owner complaints that their seat belts were detaching in crashes, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation into the 2013 Sonata.

The Seat Belt Pretensioner Recalls ∞

By March 2017, Hyundai announced a massive recall of the seat belts in the 6th generation Sonata and Sonata Hybrid.

However, there was some debate about the handling of the recall repair. That prompted a second recall in October.

Although the condition of a partially latched anchor pretensioner was fixed through the recall campaign, the condition could potentially happen again if the anchor pretensioner was intentionally disconnected and then improperly reconnected by consumers or repair facilities.

Once that problem was addressed, the investigation was closed.

The front seat belt assembly in the Hyundai Sonata uses a seat belt anchor pretensioner fastened to the car's inner structure. The anchor pretensioner is fastened to the inner sill before it's connected to the seat belt linkage.

However, the seat belt can detach from the anchor pretensioner if the connector does not fully latch when the linkage is pressed onto the connector.

When car senses it is in a crash, it will send a signal to the seat belt pretensioner. A small explosive is deployed to take the slack out of the belt, pulling the belt down onto the occupant to keep them tighter to the seat.

Generations Where This Problem Has Been Reported

This problem has popped up in the following Hyundai generations.

Most years within a generation share the same parts and manufacturing process. You can also expect them to share the same problems. So while it may not be a problem in every year yet, it's worth looking out for.

Further Reading

A timeline of stories related to this problem. We try to boil these stories down to the most important bits so you can quickly see where things stand. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts for your vehicle over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. Back in March, Hyundai recalled 978,000 cars to inspect and fix seat belt linkages and the pretensioner.

    Now those vehicles have been recalled again for the same problems.

    Although the condition of a partially latched anchor pretensioner was fixed through the recall campaign, the condition could potentially happen again if the anchor pretensioner was intentionally disconnected and then improperly reconnected by consumers or repair facilities.

    After the first recall Hyundai and their supplier talked with NHTSA about possible problems from the recall repairs.

    keep reading article "Sonata and Sonata Hybrid Owners Face a Second Recall for the Same Seat Belt Problems"

  2. Nearly 978,000 Hyundai Sonata and Sonata Hybrid cars have been recalled to fix seat belts that have been detaching from their anchor pretensioners.

    Hyundai and the seat belt supplier inspected the vehicle and the supplier recovered the parts in December 2016. Both companies started internal investigations, but neither has been able to determine what is causing the seat belt failures … The automaker says to ensure the safety of consumers, the recall will include 2011-2014 Sonata and 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid cars.

    The recall, which covers most of the 6th generation Sonata and Sonata Hybrid, follows an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened earlier this year.

    keep reading article "Massive Recall for Detaching Seat Belts in the 6th Generation Sonata and Sonata Hybrid"

  3. The feds are investigating why front passenger seat belts are detaching from their pretensioner during crashes involving the 2013 Sonata.

    The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is looking into possible problems with the front passenger seat belts in 2013 Hyundai Sonata cars after two reports were filed concerning seat belts that failed.

    Multiple people have been injured in crashes, as you might imagine.

    keep reading article "NHTSA Thinks There Might Be Problems with the 2013 Sonata’s Passenger Seat Belts"

OK, Now What?

Maybe you've experienced this problem. Maybe you're concerned you will soon. Whatever the reason, here's a handful of things you can do to make sure it gets the attention it deserves.

  1. File Your Complaint

    CarComplaints.com is a free site dedicated to uncovering problem trends and informing owners about potential issues with their cars. Major class action law firms use this data when researching cases.

    Add a Complaint

  2. Notify CAS

    The Center for Auto Safety (CAS) is a pro-consumer organization that researches auto safety issues & often compels the US government to do the right thing through lobbying & lawsuits.

    Notify The CAS

  3. Report a Safety Concern

    The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is the US agency with the authority to conduct vehicle defect investigations & force recalls. Their focus is on safety-related issues.

    Report to NHTSA