Recall 21V796 covers 978 2021-2022 Genesis GV70, GV80, Venue, Elantra Hybrid, and Elantra vehicles for exploding seat belt pretensioners. Free repair at franchised Genesis dealers.
Genesis is recalling 978 2021-2022 GV70, GV80, Venue, Elantra Hybrid, and Elantra vehicles under recall 21V796 because the front seat belt pretensioners can explode during deployment in a crash. Metal fragments can enter the cabin and injure occupants, and Genesis dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
In Genesis recall 21V796, the affected part is the front seat belt assembly with a pretensioner for the driver or passenger side. A pretensioner is the small device in the belt system that tightens the belt in a crash, helping hold the occupant in position before the air bag and seat belt finish managing the impact.
On affected 2021-2022 GV70, GV80, Venue, Elantra Hybrid, and Elantra vehicles, the pretensioner can deploy abnormally during a crash. Instead of only tightening the belt, the unit can explode when it deploys and send metal fragments into the cabin. Genesis is still investigating the root cause, so the public explanation is limited to the failed behavior and the parts being studied.
There is no warning sign before failure. The seat belt can look and feel normal before a crash, so owners should not rely on a dashboard light, belt feel, or noise to identify the problem.
Who's affected?
Covers five Genesis and Hyundai models from the 2021 and 2022 model years, all tied to the same front seat belt assemblies.
| 2022 Genesis GV70 | seat belt |
|---|---|
| 2022 Genesis GV70 | seat belt |
| 2021 Genesis GV80 | seat belt |
| 2021 Genesis GV80 | seat belt |
| 2021 Hyundai Venue | seat belt |
| 2021 Hyundai Venue | seat belt |
| 2021 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid | seat belt |
| 2021 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid | seat belt |
| 2021 Hyundai Elantra | seat belt |
| 2021 Hyundai Elantra | seat belt |
| Units affected | 978 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle.
What's the safety risk?
An exploding seat belt pretensioner can send metal fragments into the cabin and injure occupants. There is no warning sign before this failure, so do not wait for a symptom before scheduling service. Repair is free at any franchised Genesis dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2021-2022 Genesis GV70, GV80, Venue, Elantra Hybrid, or Elantra is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Genesis dealer to schedule the free seat belt pretensioner replacement that addresses the metal-fragment risk during deployment.
- Bring the recall notice if Genesis has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 21V796 when you call.
- Ask the dealer whether this vehicle also needs the newer remedy that replaced this recall before the repair order is closed.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Genesis technician replaces the seat belt pretensioners covered by recall 21V796. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. This campaign has been replaced by newer recalls for the Elantra, Elantra Hybrid, Venue, GV70, and GV80, so vehicles already repaired under this recall still need the newer remedies completed. If you already paid for a related pretensioner repair, ask the service desk how to submit documentation under the manufacturer's reimbursement plan submitted May 16, 2018.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| October 13, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 10, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| December 10, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 10, 2021 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| December 10, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| February 10, 2022 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V796?
Recall 21V796 covers 978 2021-2022 GV70, GV80, Venue, Elantra Hybrid, and Elantra vehicles with seat belt pretensioners that can explode during deployment in a crash. Metal fragments can enter the cabin and injure occupants. Dealers replace the seat belt pretensioners for free.
What should I do if my 2021-2022 Genesis GV70, GV80, Venue, Elantra Hybrid, or Elantra is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 21V796. If it is, contact a franchised Genesis dealer and ask for the free seat belt pretensioner replacement. Reference recall 21V796 and Hyundai recall numbers 211 and 009G when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 21V796, dealers replace the affected seat belt pretensioners free of charge, with parts and labor covered at a franchised Genesis dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is injury from metal fragments inside the vehicle during a crash. If an affected front driver-side or passenger-side seat belt pretensioner explodes during deployment, fragments can strike occupants. The repair replaces the pretensioners to remove that defect.
Did recall 21V796 get replaced by another recall?
Yes. Hyundai says recall 21V796 was replaced by recall 22V-354 for Elantra and Elantra Hybrid vehicles, 22V-458 for Venue vehicles, and 23V-094 for Genesis vehicles. Vehicles already repaired under 21V796 still need the newer remedy completed.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V796000 |
|---|---|
| Genesis customer service | 1-855-371-9460 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V796 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V796000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →