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Hyundai Admits Major Airbag Problem
By Andrew Colton
ABCNEWS.com
F O R T L A U D E R D A L E, Fla., June 23, 2004— Hyundai Motor
Company admits that its most popular vehicle has a serious airbag flaw
that it doesn't know how to fix.
The problem, in the company's 2004 Elantra, is a sensor system
intended to prevent the airbag from deploying while a child sits in
the front seat. But it's also preventing the airbag from activating
for adults who weigh less than roughly 150 pounds and don't position
themselves in the center of the chair.
"I'm worried. I'm seriously concerned that this isn't a safe car,"
said Charlotte Kramer, 28, a hairdresser from Fort Lauderdale who
purchased her 2004 Elantra late last year. "It's a risk every time
someone sits in the car as to whether their passenger side airbag is
going to be activated or not."
Kramer became concerned when she saw a warning light appear on her
dashboard that read: "Passenger Airbag Off." The light stayed on when
an adult weighing less than 150 pounds sat in the passenger seat
off-center — meaning that the airbag would not deploy for the
passenger in the event of an accident.
Kramer sought help at the dealership where she purchased the car. But
she was told there's no way to fix the problem, which could mean the
airbag would not have deployed in an accident.
Mike Anson, a Hyundai spokesman, said the only thing passengers not
heavy enough to activate the airbag can do now is sit somewhere else.
"Either move to the back seat or move to another Hyundai vehicle," he
said.
Complicated Instructions
In a technical service bulletin obtained by ABC News, Hyundai advises
service technicians to tell customers to try the following in an
attempt to activate the airbag: "Turn the vehicle off, place the seat
back in the full upright position, sit upright in the seat, centered
on the seat cushion, with legs comfortably extended. Restart the
vehicle and have the person remain in this position for about 30
seconds."
Agreeing that the instructions may be a bit too much for many
customers to remember, Anson suggested that new customers take his
company's cars for a long test drive before making a purchase.
"Before you buy the vehicle, put the people in the front passenger who
will be in there to make sure they're compatible," he said. "That way
you won't have a problem."
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which now requires
some new cars to use a sensor system for passenger-side airbags, is
investigating Hyundai's problem and response. They said they need to
investigate more before determining whether there's a need for a
recall of the vehicles.
Hyundai said it has sold 50,000 2004 Elantras.
By Andrew Colton
ABCNEWS.com
F O R T L A U D E R D A L E, Fla., June 23, 2004— Hyundai Motor
Company admits that its most popular vehicle has a serious airbag flaw
that it doesn't know how to fix.
The problem, in the company's 2004 Elantra, is a sensor system
intended to prevent the airbag from deploying while a child sits in
the front seat. But it's also preventing the airbag from activating
for adults who weigh less than roughly 150 pounds and don't position
themselves in the center of the chair.
"I'm worried. I'm seriously concerned that this isn't a safe car,"
said Charlotte Kramer, 28, a hairdresser from Fort Lauderdale who
purchased her 2004 Elantra late last year. "It's a risk every time
someone sits in the car as to whether their passenger side airbag is
going to be activated or not."
Kramer became concerned when she saw a warning light appear on her
dashboard that read: "Passenger Airbag Off." The light stayed on when
an adult weighing less than 150 pounds sat in the passenger seat
off-center — meaning that the airbag would not deploy for the
passenger in the event of an accident.
Kramer sought help at the dealership where she purchased the car. But
she was told there's no way to fix the problem, which could mean the
airbag would not have deployed in an accident.
Mike Anson, a Hyundai spokesman, said the only thing passengers not
heavy enough to activate the airbag can do now is sit somewhere else.
"Either move to the back seat or move to another Hyundai vehicle," he
said.
Complicated Instructions
In a technical service bulletin obtained by ABC News, Hyundai advises
service technicians to tell customers to try the following in an
attempt to activate the airbag: "Turn the vehicle off, place the seat
back in the full upright position, sit upright in the seat, centered
on the seat cushion, with legs comfortably extended. Restart the
vehicle and have the person remain in this position for about 30
seconds."
Agreeing that the instructions may be a bit too much for many
customers to remember, Anson suggested that new customers take his
company's cars for a long test drive before making a purchase.
"Before you buy the vehicle, put the people in the front passenger who
will be in there to make sure they're compatible," he said. "That way
you won't have a problem."
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which now requires
some new cars to use a sensor system for passenger-side airbags, is
investigating Hyundai's problem and response. They said they need to
investigate more before determining whether there's a need for a
recall of the vehicles.
Hyundai said it has sold 50,000 2004 Elantras.