Recall 16V232 affects 33 2015-2017 Hyundai Elantra, Sonata Hybrid, and Sonata vehicles for a second-stage driver air bag defect. Free repair at franchised Hyundai dealers.
Hyundai is recalling 33 2015-2017 Elantra, Sonata Hybrid, and Sonata vehicles because the driver's frontal air bag can lack the chemical enhancer needed for second-stage deployment. If that second stage does not deploy in certain crashes, injury risk increases; Hyundai dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The driver's frontal air bag in affected 2015-2017 Hyundai Elantra, Sonata Hybrid, and Sonata vehicles is built with staged deployment. The primary stage starts the air bag deployment, and the second stage adds output when crash conditions call for it. That staged design lets the air bag respond to the force of the crash.
On these vehicles, the driver's air bag inflator was built without the chemical enhancer needed for the second stage. The supplier's inflator line misloaded that enhancer, and Hyundai traced the affected air bag module serial numbers to the included VINs. The primary stage will deploy as intended, but the second stage will not deploy in crashes that require it.
There is no warning sign before failure. The defect is inside the air bag inflator, so the owner is not expected to hear, feel, or see a change during normal driving.
Who's affected?
Spans 3 nameplates across the 2015-2017 model years, all tied to the front air bag.
| 2017 Hyundai Elantra | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid | front air bag |
| 2015 Hyundai Sonata | front air bag |
| 2016 Hyundai Sonata | front air bag |
| Units affected | 33 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific sedan is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the driver's frontal air bag does not inflate in a crash, injury risk increases. There is no warning sign before failure, so use the VIN result to confirm coverage and schedule the repair soon if included. Repair is free at any franchised Hyundai dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015-2017 Hyundai Elantra, Sonata Hybrid, or Sonata is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Hyundai dealer to schedule the free driver's frontal air bag module replacement, which fixes the second-stage deployment problem.
- Bring the recall notice if Hyundai mailed one, and reference recall number 16V232 when you call.
- Ask Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460 about next steps if the dealer cannot schedule the repair.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Hyundai technician replaces the driver's frontal air bag module covered by recall 16V232. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. If you've already paid out of pocket for a related driver's air bag repair, Hyundai's reimbursement plan covers eligible documented expenses under the plan Hyundai submitted for this recall. Ask Hyundai customer service or the dealer service desk how to submit repair documentation.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| April 21, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 29, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| April 29, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| April 29, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| June 15, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V232?
Recall 16V232 covers 33 Hyundai vehicles, including 2015-2016 Sonata, 2016 Sonata Hybrid, and 2017 Elantra models with a driver's frontal air bag module issue. The second stage of the air bag deployment can fail in certain crashes, increasing injury risk.
What should I do if my 2015-2017 Hyundai Elantra, Sonata Hybrid, or Sonata is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 16V232. If it is, contact a franchised Hyundai dealer to schedule replacement of the driver's frontal air bag module. Reference Hyundai recall number 144 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair the defect at no cost, and Hyundai dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module free of charge. The free repair applies at any franchised Hyundai dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced air bag protection in certain crashes. The driver's frontal air bag primary stage deploys as intended, but the second stage can fail to deploy. An air bag that does not inflate as designed increases the risk of injury.
What if I bought my Hyundai used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the original owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Hyundai is included, then contact a franchised Hyundai dealer and reference recall 16V232 or Hyundai recall number 144.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V232000 |
|---|---|
| Hyundai customer service | 1-855-371-9460 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V232 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V232000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →