Hyundai is recalling 2,931 2025-2026 Elantra and Tucson vehicles in recall 26V254 for delayed air bag deployment. Repair is free at any franchised Hyundai dealer.
Hyundai is recalling 2,931 2025-2026 Elantra N, Elantra, Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, and Tucson Plug-In Hybrid vehicles because B-pillar impact sensors were misassembled. The defect can delay air bag deployment in a crash, which increases injury risk, and Hyundai dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The side impact sensor in the B-pillar is a crash sensor mounted in the body structure between the front and rear doors. On the 2025-2026 Hyundai Elantra, Elantra N, Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, and Tucson Plug-In Hybrid, that sensor helps the air bag control system read a side impact and time side air bag deployment.
On affected vehicles, the sensor assembly was built with the wrong printed circuit board during supplier manufacturing. The printed circuit board is the small electronic board inside the sensor that processes the crash signal. With the incorrect board installed, the sensor signal does not match the intended B-pillar configuration, and air bag deployment can be delayed in certain crash scenarios.
There is no warning sign before failure. The vehicle does not give the driver a warning light or noise that points to this sensor assembly problem before a side-impact crash.
Who's affected?
Covers five Hyundai models across the 2025 and 2026 model years, all tied to the same side air bag sensor; VINs became searchable on April 22, 2026.
| 2026 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid | side air bag |
|---|---|
| 2026 Hyundai Elantra | side air bag |
| 2025 Hyundai Elantra N | side air bag |
| 2026 Hyundai Tucson | side air bag |
| 2026 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid | side air bag |
| Units affected | 2,931 |
| 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 vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the impact sensors fail, the air bags will not deploy as intended in a crash, which increases the risk of injury. There is no warning sign before failure. Drive cautiously, confirm whether your VIN is included, and schedule the dealer inspection soon. Repair is free at any franchised Hyundai dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2025-2026 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid, Elantra, Elantra N, Tucson, or Tucson Hybrid is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Hyundai dealer to schedule the free B-pillar impact-sensor inspection and replacement if needed.
- Bring the recall notice if Hyundai has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 26V254 and Hyundai recall 299 when you call.
- Drive with extra caution until the inspection is complete because the affected sensors can delay air bag deployment in a crash.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Hyundai technician inspects the B-pillar impact sensors and replaces any impact sensor that was misassembled. The inspection, replacement parts, and labor are free under the recall. Hyundai is using its general reimbursement plan on file for eligible out-of-pocket repairs paid before the recall notice. If you already paid for an impact-sensor or air-bag deployment repair tied to this defect, bring the repair paperwork and receipts to the service desk.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| April 20, 2026 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 22, 2026 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| June 19, 2026 | Dealer notification began |
| June 19, 2026 | Dealer notification ended |
| June 19, 2026 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 26V254?
Recall 26V254 covers 2,931 2025-2026 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid, Elantra, Elantra N, Tucson, and Tucson Hybrid vehicles with B-pillar impact sensors that were misassembled. Hyundai dealers will inspect the sensors and replace affected sensors for free.
What should I do if my 2025-2026 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid, Elantra, Elantra N, Tucson, or Tucson Hybrid is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 26V254. If it is, contact a franchised Hyundai dealer to schedule the B-pillar impact sensor inspection. Reference recall number 299 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Hyundai dealers will inspect the B-pillar impact sensors and replace affected sensors, as necessary, free of charge at any franchised Hyundai dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is delayed air bag deployment in a crash. The B-pillar impact sensors were misassembled, and air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury. The dealer repair is free.
When will Hyundai notify owners?
Hyundai expects to mail owner notification letters on June 19, 2026. Because the dealer remedy is available, you do not need to wait for a letter before checking your VIN and calling a franchised Hyundai dealer about recall 299.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/26V254000 |
|---|---|
| Hyundai customer service | 855-371-9460 |
| NHTSA recall # | 26V254 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 26V254000 |
Source documents
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 19, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →