Investigations
AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION
NHTSA Engineering Analysis EA08012 - closed, opened 2008-07-10 and involving the HYUNDAI HYUNDAI.
NHTSA investigation EA08012 is a Engineering Analysis opened on 2008-07-10 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 2008-11-14 - NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
An Engineering Analysis like EA08012 is the deeper technical phase that follows a PE. NHTSA requests design, warranty, and field-failure data from the manufacturer, conducts its own testing when needed, and determines whether the evidence supports a safety defect finding that would compel a recall.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "HYUNDAI IS CONDUCTING TWO SAFETY RECALLS TO CORRECT TWO SAFETY DEFECTS DESCRIBED BELOW. UNDER SAFETY RECALL 08V-532, HYUNDAI WILL INSTALL A VINYL PROTECTIVE SHIELD/COVER TO PREVENT SHORT CIRCUITS IN THE AIR BAG CONTROL M..." 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 IS CONDUCTING TWO SAFETY RECALLS TO CORRECT TWO SAFETY DEFECTS DESCRIBED BELOW. UNDER SAFETY RECALL 08V-532, HYUNDAI WILL INSTALL A VINYL PROTECTIVE SHIELD/COVER TO PREVENT SHORT CIRCUITS IN THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE CAUSE BY SPILLS OF LIQUIDS THAT SEEP INTO THE MODULE CONNECTOR. THIS ACTION APPLIES TO 78,369 MY 2001 VEHICLES (BUILT THROUGH 4/26/2001). THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR IN MY 2001 VEHICLES BUILT AFTER 4/26/2001 IS COVERED BY THE CARPET. TO IMPROVE THE INTEGRITY OF THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEATS, HYUNDAI WILL INSTALL NEW CLIPS AND REVISE THE WIRING HARNESS ATTACHMENTS UNDER SAFETY RECALL 08V-533. THIS APPLIES TO 150,541 MY 2001 THROUGH MY 2002 VEHICLES (BUILT THROUGH 12/18/2001). HYUNDAI UPGRADED THE WIRING HARNESS ROUTING/CONNECTOR CLIP ON MY 2002 VEHICLES BUILT AFTER 12/18/2001. HYUNDAI DESIGNED THE SUBJECT VEHICLES (UNDER SAFETY RECALL 08V-532) SUCH THAT THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR IS LOCATED DIRECTLY BELOW THE CENTER CONSOLE CUP HOLDERS. SPILLAGE OF LIQUID FROM CUPS PLACED IN THE CUP HOLDERS MAY CONTAMINATE THE CONTROL MODULE AND THE CONNECTOR AND PREVENT PROPER DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAGS. IN ADDITION, IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES UNDER SAFETY RECALL 08V-533, HYUNDAI LOCATED A WIRING HARNESS FOR THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS UNDER EACH FRONT SEAT. MOVEMENT OF THE SEAT OR PLACEMENT OF OBJECTS UNDER THE SEAT MAY DISTURB THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION IN THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING CIRCUIT. FOR EACH OF THE ABOVE DESCRIBED CONDITIONS, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE WHEN THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM DETECTS A FAULT. THIS INVESTIGATION IDENTIFIED SEVERAL CRASH REPORTS (TWO FATAL AND 17 CRASH REPORTS RESULTING IN NINE INJURY REPORTS) THAT INCLUDED ALLEGATIONS OF PRIOR AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATION AND NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAGS, WHICH ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY. THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED (SEE RECALLS 08V-532 & 08V533).
About This Investigation Type
An Engineering Analysis (EA) is the in-depth phase following a Preliminary Evaluation. NHTSA engineers conduct testing, collect data from manufacturers, and perform detailed technical analysis to determine whether a safety defect exists. An EA may lead to a voluntary recall by the manufacturer or, in rare cases, a mandatory recall order.
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.