Hyundai announced two Elantra recalls cased by airbag

According to The Detroit News, the Elantra's front passenger seat contains a sensor that measures the weight of the passenger, but in the case of the affected vehicles, the sensor may not properly detect the passenger's weight. In the event of a crash, the airbag can deploy even if a child is sitting in the front seat. Hyundai says that the sensors could be damaged by moisture, so the automaker is adding a protective sleeve around the device.

The second recall concerns 95,783 2007-2008 Elantra models and involves a sensor used in the two-stage deployment of the passenger-side airbag. Most newer airbag systems employ a dual-stage deployment, with a sensor detecting if the passenger is sitting too close to the bag. In the event of a crash only the low pressure stage will deploy. In the affected Elantra models, electronic noise may confuse the sensor, and during a crash the sensor will revert to its default mode, which will cause both stages of the airbag to deploy. To fix this issue, a Hyundai technician will reprogram the airbag control module.

Hyundai will issue a formal recall notice to customers by April 8. Customers will be directed to a Hyundai dealer for a free of charge repair. Customers who already paid to fix this issue after March, 2010 will also be reimbursed for their cost.