Hyundai Recalls Nearly 300,000 Vehicles Over Seat Belt Detachment Risk

The automaker says seat belt anchors may become damaged during routine maintenance, posing a safety hazard.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 10:39pm

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Sweeping, abstract brushstrokes of vibrant colors representing the motion of a Hyundai vehicle, conceptually illustrating the recall's focus on the safety and reliability of automotive engineering.A dramatic visual representation of the Hyundai recall, conveying the speed and power of modern vehicles while highlighting the critical importance of reliable safety systems.Montgomery Today

Hyundai Motor America has issued a recall for 294,128 vehicles, including the Genesis G90 sedan, Ioniq 6 electric vehicle, and Santa Fe hybrid and gas-powered SUVs. The recall is due to an issue with the seat belt anchors that could cause the safety restraints to detach in a crash if the anchors are damaged during routine maintenance.

Why it matters

Seat belts are a critical safety feature, and any defect that could lead to their failure in a collision raises serious concerns about passenger protection. This recall highlights the importance of proper maintenance procedures and the need for automakers to ensure the reliability of safety-critical components.

The details

According to the recall notice, the seat belt anchors may become damaged if they are removed or improperly reinstalled during routine maintenance. This damage could prevent the front seat belts from remaining attached during a crash. The affected vehicles were produced between April 2022 and March 2026 and include models manufactured both in South Korea and the United States.

  • Hyundai first learned of the problem in September 2025 after the seat belt attachment defect was identified in a 2025 Santa Fe.
  • In January 2026, the NHTSA determined that if the seat belt anchors were forcefully removed during seat repair or maintenance, they could become permanently damaged.
  • To date, there have been six reported incidents related to insufficiently attached seat belts.
  • Hyundai will begin alerting owners of the recall on June 5, 2026.
  • Mercedes-Benz is also recalling 24,092 vehicles due to a defect in the drive shaft universal joint that could break and result in a loss of drive power.

The players

Hyundai Motor America

The American subsidiary of the South Korean automaker Hyundai, responsible for the recall of nearly 300,000 vehicles due to a seat belt defect.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

The U.S. government agency responsible for vehicle safety standards and overseeing the recall of defective vehicles.

Samsong Industries

The South Korean company that manufactured the seat belt assemblies for the recalled Hyundai vehicles.

Mercedes-Benz USA LLC

The American subsidiary of the German automaker Mercedes-Benz, which is also recalling vehicles due to a separate defect.

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What’s next

Owners of affected Hyundai and Genesis vehicles can take their cars to a licensed dealership to have a reinforcement insert installed in the seat belt anchor clip. Mercedes-Benz owners will also be notified about their recall beginning on June 2, 2026.

The takeaway

This recall highlights the importance of thorough quality control and maintenance procedures for automakers, as well as the need for vigilant oversight by regulatory agencies like the NHTSA to ensure the safety of vehicles on the road. It serves as a reminder that even minor defects in critical safety components can have serious consequences.