Hyundai Elantra Engineering Analysis Launched
A defect investigation launched last May examining side-curtain airbags in the Hyundai Elantra has been upgraded to an engineering analysis on 75,581 Elantra vehicles; specifically those manufactured in Korea for the American market.
The original investigation was sparked after a customer suffered ear lacerations when the driver’s side-curtain airbag deployed, launching a metal bracket used in the headliner which struck the driver.
123,000 Elantras were included in the original investigation, though now it has been discovered that only Elantras built in Korea and imported to the U.S. market are affected. The metal bracket in question is a stiffener in the headliner assembly which is only used in the Korean built Elantra.
Hyundai is already investigating to see whether the reported injury was an isolated incident. So far it found a single case of the same metal bracket becoming exposed after the airbag deployed, although it did not act in such a way that would have inflicted the same injury.
Model years 2011 and 2013 Elantras that use the same headliner assembly are now being included in the investigation as well, even though the sole incident happened in a 2012 Elantra.
Stephen covers all of the day-to-day events of the industry as the News Editor at AutoGuide, along with being the AG truck expert. His truck knowledge comes from working long days on the woodlot with pickups and driving straight trucks professionally. When not at his desk, Steve can be found playing his bass or riding his snowmobile or Sea-Doo. Find Stephen on <A title="@Selmer07 on Twitter" href="http://www.twitter.com/selmer07">Twitter</A> and <A title="Stephen on Google+" href="http://plus.google.com/117833131531784822251?rel=author">Google+</A>
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has anyone had issues with in 2011 elantra with the fiberboard under headliner cracking,creasing ?Mine is especially on the right side,right in middle of car,where two windows meet and plastic lower part begins..doing on left side to but not as bad..dealership says nothing they can do,it is where stresspoint is and airbag behind....i say rediculous for a new car to have to put up with creases and tears under headliner