Hyundai is issuing a safety recall affecting just over 66,000 vehicles in Canada and the U.S. due to a software glitch that could prevent airbags and seatbelt pretensioners from deploying during a crash. Almost half of the total – more than 28,000 units – is located in Canada.
According to documentation filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Transport Canada, the campaign impacts 66,151 vehicles in total. The affected models include:
- 2019–2023 Hyundai Kona Electric – 29,058 units in U.S., 26,318 in Canada
- 2019–2022 Hyundai Veloster N - 8,843 units in U.S., 1,932 in Canada
Impossible not to notice that almost half (43 percent to be precise) of the overall total of recalled vehicles is located in Canada, which is rare but reflects the immense popularity of the Kona EV in the Canadian market.
The problem
The issue lies within the Airbag Control Unit (ACU), which processes crash signals to trigger deployment. Under certain driving conditions, a power interruption or system reboot while the unit is routinely storing data can cause memory corruption.
When this data corruption occurs, the ACU automatically deactivates the airbag system and seatbelt pretensioners. In the event of a collision, these critical occupant protection systems would fail to fire, significantly increasing the risk of injury.
Drivers can identify if their vehicle is affected by checking the instrument cluster: a system deactivation immediately illuminates the airbag malfunction indicator light.
Hyundai reported 331 field incidents and a spike in warranty claims tied to the illuminated warning light between 2019 and 2026, which originally prompted the investigation. The automaker has received no reports of crashes or injuries linked to the defect.
No "do not drive" advisory has been issued, but Hyundai strongly advises any owner with an illuminated airbag warning light to schedule a dealership visit immediately.
The solution
The remedy is a straightforward ACU software update performed free of charge at Hyundai dealerships. Hyundai will also reimburse owners who previously paid out-of-pocket to correct the issue. Owner notification letters are scheduled to be mailed beginning January 1, 2027. Canadian owners can verify whether their vehicle is included in the campaign by entering their 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on Transport Canada’s recall portal or contacting a local dealer.