Recall 12V354 affects 199,118 2007-2009 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles for front passenger airbag classification software. Repair is free at any franchised Hyundai dealer.
Hyundai is recalling 199,118 2007-2009 Santa Fe SUVs because the occupant classification system needs recalibration to detect small-statured adults correctly. If the system classifies the passenger incorrectly, the front passenger airbag can fail to deploy in a crash, which increases injury risk, and the Hyundai dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The occupant classification system in a 2007-2009 Hyundai Santa Fe is part of the front passenger air bag system. Sensors in the passenger seat help the control module decide whether the person in that seat is large enough for the air bag to deploy as designed. That decision matters because the system is supposed to separate a child or empty seat from an adult passenger.
In affected Santa Fe SUVs, the system calibration is not accurate enough for small statured adults. The seat sensor and control module can read that passenger incorrectly, so the air bag system does not classify the occupant the way Hyundai intended. The repair path centers on recalibrating the system so the front passenger seat reading matches the actual occupant more accurately.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner should not expect a sound, smell, warning light, or change in the way the Santa Fe drives before the classification problem is present.
Who's affected?
Spans the 2007-2009 Santa Fe model years, all tied to the same front air bag sensor/control module.
| 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe | front air bag |
| 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe | front air bag |
| Units affected | 199,118 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
Improper classification or detection can prevent the front passenger airbag from deploying in a crash, increasing injury risk for the person in that seat. Confirm your VIN and contact a Hyundai dealer for current repair timing. Repair will be free at any franchised Hyundai dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2007-2009 Hyundai Santa Fe is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Hyundai dealer to schedule the free occupant-classification software update.
- Ask for the software recalibration that fixes front passenger detection for small-statured adults so the passenger air bag deploys correctly in a crash.
- Bring the recall notice if Hyundai mailed one. If not, reference recall number 12V354 when you call.
- Call Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151 with questions about the recall repair.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Hyundai technician updates the occupant classification system software so it can detect small statured adults more accurately. Hyundai's remedy says this software update is free of charge. Because the repair is not marked available in the recall details provided for this page, do not assume the final dealer work can be scheduled for your VIN today. Once the repair is open for your VIN, parts and labor are covered under the recall.
Timeline
| July 25, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 7, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V354?
Recall 12V354 covers 199,118 2007-2009 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles whose occupant classification system needs recalibration to detect small-statured adults accurately. If the system misclassifies the front passenger, the passenger airbag can fail to deploy in a crash. Hyundai dealers update the classification software for free.
What should I do if my 2007-2009 Hyundai Santa Fe is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Santa Fe is included in recall 12V354. If it is, contact a franchised Hyundai dealer to schedule the occupant classification system software update. Reference recall number 12V354 when you call. The repair is free.
Does the recall repair cost anything?
No. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Hyundai's remedy says dealers will update the classification software free of charge. Any franchised Hyundai dealer can perform the recall repair.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is that the front passenger airbag does not deploy when it is needed in a crash. The recall involves the occupant classification system, which identifies the front passenger. If it classifies or detects the passenger incorrectly, injury risk to that passenger increases.
What if I bought my Hyundai Santa Fe used?
The free repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Santa Fe is included, then contact a franchised Hyundai dealer and reference recall number 12V354.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V354000 |
|---|---|
| Hyundai customer service | 1-800-633-5151 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V354 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V354000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →