Urgent Safety Alert: Toyota & Hyundai Recall Over 1.1 Million Vehicles for Exploding Seat Belt Pretensioners

Automotive giants Toyota and Hyundai have issued critical safety recalls affecting over 1.1 million vehicles combined, addressing a serious defect involving seat belt pretensioners that could pose a significant risk of injury to occupants.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is overseeing these recalls, which highlight potentially dangerous manufacturing flaws.

Vehicle owners are urged to pay close attention to notifications and take prompt action to ensure their safety.

Toyota's Massive Tundra Recall: Exploding Pretensioners

Toyota is recalling approximately 1 million Tundra and Tundra Hybrid pickup trucks from the 2022-2023 model years. The core issue lies with the front passenger-side seat belt pretensioner.

In the event of a crash, the device’s propellant, designed to tighten the seat belt for occupant protection, can explode with excessive force. This violent deployment risks ejecting sharp metal fragments into the vehicle cabin, potentially causing severe injuries or even death to occupants.

To mitigate this hazardous defect, Toyota dealers will install a retaining strap to the pretensioner, designed to prevent the dangerous fragments from entering the cabin.

In some cases, the entire pretensioner assembly may be replaced. Owners of affected Tundra models can expect to receive notification letters by mail starting in mid-September.

Separately, Toyota has also identified an issue affecting about 168,000 Prius and Prius Prime vehicles from the 2023-2024 model years.

In these models, a flaw in the hybrid system’s control software can cause illuminated warning lights and, in rare instances, lead to a loss of drive power. Dealers will update the software to correct this problem, with notifications expected to reach owners in late October.

Hyundai's Palisade Recall: Similar Pretensioner Risks

Hyundai is recalling nearly 98,859 Palisade SUVs from the 2020-2024 model years due to a similar, equally concerning seat belt pretensioner defect.

Like the Toyota issue, the pretensioners in these vehicles can explode unexpectedly when activated during a crash, sending shrapnel throughout the vehicle's interior. This dangerous malfunction presents a clear and immediate risk of injury to drivers and passengers.

Hyundai's proposed remedy involves dealers installing a cap on the pretensioner’s main body to contain any potential explosion and prevent fragments from escaping.

Owners of the affected Palisade SUVs will be informed of this recall by mail, with notices beginning in late September. It is crucial for all owners to respond to these notifications promptly.

What Owners Need to Do

If you own one of the recalled Toyota Tundra, Tundra Hybrid, Prius, Prius Prime, or Hyundai Palisade vehicles, it is imperative to take action.

Owners should await their official recall notification letters, which will provide detailed instructions on how to proceed. It is recommended to contact a local authorized dealership to schedule the necessary repairs as soon as possible. All recall-related repairs will be performed free of charge.

Vehicle safety is paramount, and these recalls underscore the continuous commitment of automakers, under the oversight of regulatory bodies like the NHTSA, to address potential defects.

Owners are encouraged to prioritize these repairs to ensure the safety of themselves and their passengers.