May 23, 2022 -- Hyundai Motor America has recalled 239,000 cars in the United States and 42,000 in Canada because seat belt pretensioners can explode during a crash and injure occupants with metal fragments, Reuters reported.

Two injuries in the United States and one in Singapore have been reported because of the pretensioners. The cars covered in the recall are some 2019-2022 Accents, 2021-2023 Elantras, and 2021-2022 Elantra hybrid vehicles, Reuters said.

Consumer Reports said pretensioners are designed to use a controlled explosion to tighten the seat belt when a crash occurs. On the recalled vehicles, the pretensioners could explode in a way that sends metal fragments into the car’s interior, Consumer reports said.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration asked Hyundai to investigate after hearing about an accident involving a 2021 Elantra in which the driver’s side seat belt pretensioner allegedly sent metal fragments into an occupant’s leg, Reuters said.

The recall expands upon and replaces four earlier recalls about seat belts. Owners of Hyundai vehicles that were earlier recalled and repaired will need to go back to dealerships to have the pretensioners sealed with a cap, Reuters said, citing the NHTSA.

Hyundai is expected to notify owners of the recall by July 15, Consumer Reports said.

Reuters: “Hyundai to recall 281,000 U.S. vehicles over exploding part”

Consumer Reports: “Hyundai Accent and Elantra Recalled for Seat Belt Issue That's Injured 3 People”

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