Investigations
IMPROPER FRONTAL AIR BAG PERFORMANCE
NHTSA Defect Petition DP03001 - closed, opened 2003-03-26 and involving the HYUNDAI HYUNDAI.
NHTSA investigation DP03001 is a Defect Petition opened on 2003-03-26 and currently closed. The subject of record is HYUNDAI HYUNDAI, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for HYUNDAI. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2003-08-01 - NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
A Defect Petition like DP03001 starts when a person or group formally asks NHTSA to investigate a specific alleged defect. Petitioners submit evidence, NHTSA reviews it within 120 days, and either grants the petition (opening a PE) or denies it with a written explanation in the Federal Register.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "HYUNDAI HAS RECEIVED 49 REPORTS FROM CUSTOMERS STATING THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN A CRASH FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. EXAMINATION OF SUPLIMENTAL INFORMATION PROVIDED TO ODI BY THE MANUFACTURER FOR THE REPORTED..." Investigations are the early-warning layer of the federal auto-safety system, sitting upstream of formal recalls and defect orders. Whether this one closes without action or escalates into an Engineering Analysis, the full history stays in the ODI archive so researchers, litigators, and buyers can pull the paper trail at any time. Related HYUNDAI files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
HYUNDAI HAS RECEIVED 49 REPORTS FROM CUSTOMERS STATING THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN A CRASH FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. EXAMINATION OF SUPLIMENTAL INFORMATION PROVIDED TO ODI BY THE MANUFACTURER FOR THE REPORTED CASES IT APPEARED THAT THE NECESSARY AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT THRESHOLD WAS NOT MET. THERE HAVE BEEN NO FATAL INCIDENTS OR REPORTS OF SERIOUS INJURY AS A RESULT OF BEING IN A FRONTAL CRASH AND THE AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING. IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION REMEDY OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AS DEFINED BY THE PETITIONER AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION. THEREFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE THE NHTSA'S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY'S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED. FOR FURTHER DETAILS, REFER TO ODI¿S RESPONSE TO THE PETITIONER PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER VOL. 68, NO. 148, DATED AUGUST 1, 2003.
About This Investigation Type
A Defect Petition (DP) is initiated when an individual or organization formally petitions NHTSA to investigate a potential safety defect. NHTSA reviews the petition and decides whether to open an investigation.
Other HYUNDAI Investigations
Inadvertent Seat Belt Unlatch
3.3L Engine Loss of Motive Power (LOMP)
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
Loss of Motive Power
Windshield Wiper Failure
Data from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Cross-references: NHTSA recall campaign API and NHTSA FARS where fatality records overlap. PlainCars does not rate or recommend vehicles. about how PlainCars sources NHTSA data.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.