Hyundai is recalling 65,226 model year 2006 through 2009 Hyundai Azera vehicles manufactured from September 27, 2005 through October 1, 2008. The wiring harness for the right front seat belt tension sensor may sustain damage after repeated use of the seat belt. If the seat belt tension sensor wiring becomes damaged, it will not communicate with the Passive Occupant Detection System (PODS). This defect may cause recording of Diagnostic Trouble Code B1495 (Belt Tension Sensor Defect) and also possibly B1489 (PODS ECU Defect). If the wire becomes damaged, the air bag will not deploy in the event of a crash requiring front air bag deployment. The seat occupant is at an increased risk of injury should the air bag not deploy as intended.

Hyundai first made changes to its production lines to re-route the wiring harness and to increase the space between the inner sill and lower B-pillar trim. Later, based on replacement of seat belt assemblies from consumer’s cars, Hyundai determined that a safety recall should be conducted. The safety recall is expected to begin during February 2010. Hyundai’s recall campaign number is 094. NHTSA recall number 09V-497.

Hyundai Motor Company is recalling 128,300 model year 2005-2007 Hyundai Tucson vehicles. On certain sport utility vehicles, during static air bag deployment testing conducted by NHTSA using fifth percentile female dummies indicated if a small statured adult driver, not wearing a seat belt, is involved in a frontal or near frontal crash, deployment of the driver air bag may result in an insufficient margin of compliance as measured by the test dummy used in the NHTSA test. This can cause increased risk of injury to the driver under certain crash conditions. Dealers will replace the driver air bag module. The recall began on January 29, 2007, and will be conducted through six mailings. 06V-445.

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.