Hyundai will recall 247 Elantra Ns from the 2022 model year after it was found that the badge was insufficiently attached to the steering wheel.
The trouble is that the emblem is located over the airbag cover, which, in the event of an accident, moves at a pretty high rate of speed. If this happens, the Hyundai emblem could detach from the cover, which increases the risk of an injury during an accident.
Fortunately, Hyundai and its supplier Mobis found out about the issue during routine testing at the manufacturing site. In the test of the airbag, the emblem on the driver’s side cover came loose.
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In subsequent testing, which took place on May 18, 2022, the supplier found that the emblem flew in the direction of the windshield. Mobis determined that by simply strengthening the bond between the emblem and the horn pad, the problem was solved.
It took its findings to Hyundai on May 19, and the automaker began a thorough review of the welding process and its potential effects on parts performance. On June 7, Hyundai notified the authorities of its findings, which conducted a field review and found no incidents in which an emblem had gone flying off the steering wheel on the road.
On June 30, Hyundai implemented several changes to its production process. The application of adhesive was changed to better affix the emblem to the horn pad, and a second temperature sensor was adopted in the production process to better detect variations from the welder’s primary temperature sensors.
Vehicles produced after those changes were implemented are not included in the recall. Those that were built before then, though, may need to return to their nearest dealer to have the driver’s airbag replaced.
Hyundai says it will start reaching out to customers on October 17 and that the repairs will be accomplished at no cost to the owner. Any owners who incurred costs as a result of this defect will also be reimbursed.
