Hyundai is recalling 150,954 model year 2001 Hyundai Elantra vehicles. If a liquid is spilled in the area of the cupholder on the center console, it may seep through the console opening for the parking brake lever and then drip onto the air bag control module electrical connector. The spilled liquid may contaminate the air bag control module and its electrical connector to the air bag wiring harness and cause the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS or airbag) warning light to illuminate.

This condition may affect the driver and passenger frontal air bags or the driver and front passenger seat mounted side impact air bags and may prevent air bag deployment during a crash where such deployment should occur. Non-deployment of the SRS air bags may increase the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger under certain crash conditions. The recall is expected to begin during the fourth quarter of 2008, and will be sent out in six mailings. 08V-532.

Hyundai is recalling nearly 400,000 Hyundai Sonata vehicles from the 2006 to 2008 model years for defects in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) in the front passenger seat.  The OCS is intended to suppress airbag deployment in a crash if it determines that a small child is in the front passenger seat.  However, this safety defect also shuts off the airbag system if a small stature adult is sitting in that seat.  If that happens, airbag deployment will not occur for the adult, which could cause significant personal injuries or a wrongful death.

The government’s recall number is 08V-161.