In April 2024, Hyundai became aware of a significant safety issue involving the main floor wiring harness in certain 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe and Santa Fe Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) models. This issue was first identified following reports of an inadvertent rear seat side airbag deployment in a Santa Fe vehicle in South Korea. As a result, Hyundai initiated a preliminary investigation, which was subsequently extended to include the North American market.

The defect centers on the main floor wire harness, which in the affected vehicles is susceptible to damage due to contact with the passenger-side, second-row bench seat’s folding hinge assembly. This contact can result in the wire harness becoming chafed, leading to several potential hazards:

• Illumination of the Air Bag Warning Light: A damaged wire harness can trigger the air bag warning light on the vehicle’s dashboard, indicating a malfunction.
• Inadvertent Air Bag Deployment: The damage can cause the airbags to deploy unintentionally, posing a significant risk to vehicle occupants.
• Failure to Deploy Air Bags During a Crash: Conversely, the damage could also prevent the airbags from deploying in the event of a crash, reducing the effectiveness of this critical safety feature.

Hyundai’s investigation revealed eight unique incidents related to this defect in the U.S. market. These findings prompted the company to take immediate action to address the issue and ensure the safety of its customers.

Hyundai will notify affected vehicle owners via first-class mail, instructing them to bring their vehicles to an authorized Hyundai dealer for inspection and repair. The repair process will involve:

1. Inspection of the Wire Harness: Dealers will check the condition of the main floor wire harness for any signs of damage.
2. Securing the Wire Harness: If no damage is found, the harness will be properly secured to prevent future contact with the seat’s folding hinge assembly.
3. Replacement of Damaged Wire Harness: If damage is detected, the wire harness will be replaced with a new one to ensure the vehicle’s safety systems function correctly.

As a precaution, Hyundai advises vehicle owners to be vigilant for any of the warning symptoms mentioned in the defect report, such as the air bag warning light illuminating. If any of these symptoms are present, owners are urged to immediately go for diagnosis and the necessary repairs.

Owner notification letters are scheduled to be mailed out on September 23, 2024. Hyundai has assigned the internal recall number 265 to this campaign, while the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has designated it as campaign number 24V-561.