Hyundai recalls vehicles for software malfunction that disables airbag

Hyundai has recalled 37,901 vehicles due to a software malfunction that disables the airbag, according to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report.

The recall includes 2019-2022 Hyundai Veloster and 2019-2023 Hyundai Kona Electric models.

“The subject vehicles are equipped with an Airbag Control Unit (ACU) that detects crash signals and commands deployment of the airbag(s) and seat belt pretensioner(s),” the recall states. ”Under certain driving conditions, data may become corrupted during routine writing to the ACU’s memory, causing the airbag malfunction indicator light (MIL) to illuminate and the airbag system to deactivate.”

A deactivated airbag system may not deploy the vehicle’s airbags during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.

“A system reboot or power interruption while the ACU is writing data to its internal memory may result in data corruption,” the report states.

Hyundai started an investigation in August, 2024 after receiving an increase in airbag warning light warranty claims.

The automaker worked with ACU supplier ZF Group to conduct a series of technical reviews of recovered parts. The reviews included focusing on fault-detection conditions and proposed replication methods.

The two companies also performed electrical stress testing and held multiple vehicle-level replication tests in 2025.

By October 2026, Hyundai was updating its field data analysis and began finalizing its findings to date for review by its North America Safety Decision Authority (NASDA).

After reviewing the investigation findings, the company decided to conduct a safety recall, the report states.

As of November, Hyundai is aware of 331 unique incidents reported from October 2019 through September of this year.

The report adds that no crashes, fires, or injuries have been related to this condition.

Owners are instructed to bring their vehicle to a Hyundai dealer for an ACU software update. The remedy will be offered at no cost to owners for all affected vehicles.

NHTSA announced last week that it will invest $1.5 million to help states improve vehicle recall rates to keep roads safe.

“A vehicle with an open recall creates an avoidable hazard on our roads,” said NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison in a news release. “By giving states the resources to flag open recalls when drivers register or renew their vehicles, we can keep dangerous cars off our roads and American families safe.”

Changes will include:

• • “The development and execution of a reliable process to inform vehicle owners of any open safety recalls when registering their vehicles
  • “Data-driven methods to measure recall completions
  • “Comprehensive reports outlining the methodologies and processes used so best practices can be shared.”

Morrison announced the funding during a “Recalls Next: Technological Innovation & Safety Recalls” event.

NHTSA learned during the Takata airbag recalls that convincing consumers to remedy a recall is complicated, he said. Researchers found some consumers were confused about what the recall meant or simply didn’t remember receiving the notices.

“That’s troubling, because it means they didn’t necessarily ignore a serious warning,” Morrison said. “Some didn’t internalize the danger at all. The notices didn’t convey to them that a defective inflator could rupture and send metal shrapnel toward their faces—even when the notices literally said as much. It didn’t resonate that they – or someone they loved – could die if they didn’t act—even when informed through multiple channels.”

NHTSA oversaw nearly 900 vehicle safety recalls affecting more than 29 million vehicles last year. The agency’s data shows 3-year-old vehicles have an average completion rate of 68%, while 15-year-old vehicles have an 18% completion rate.

“Surveys tell us that about four in 10 owners named inconvenience as a main reason for not completing a recall,” Morrison said. “That should be taken seriously.”

State motor vehicle agencies have been effective partners in amplifying research messaging, he said. He added that during the Takata recall, DMV letters sometimes produced repair rates two to three times higher than manufacturer notices alone.

People recognize their DMV as an authoritative source of information that provides mail for critical transactional purposes linked to the ability to drive, Morrison said.

“If somebody sees the DMV logo on an official piece of mail and doesn’t open it, their driver’s license or vehicle registration might expire, which is connected to their ability to work, run errands, take care of family, and generally participate in society,” he explained. “Registration renewal creates a natural opportunity to reach an owner with information that matters.”

Morrison said NHTSA has also seen improvements in recall completions through other state avenues, such as Virginia’s EZPass toll collection system. The collaboration produced Takata recall completion rates eight to 10 times higher than comparable methods.

A collaboration with a vehicle auction company also resulted in repairs on about 90% of vehicles traded in with open recalls, he said.

NHTSA also recently launched a bulk VIN lookup tool that allows users to check up to 100 VINs at once for open safety recalls, making searches easier for dealerships, fleet operators and others managing multiple vehicles, Morrison said.

The agency has opened a public docket for feedback on recalls. Comments will be accepted here through Dec. 5.

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