With the potential to disarm airbags, an electrical fault in Hyundai Sonata seat belts has sparked an investigation from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration -- the probe will cover approximately 394,000 cars, model years 2006 through 2008.
The investigation into the Sonatas' seat belt issue came in response to at least 83 complaints, which were filed to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) about the issue, the administration said.
The electrical fault in the Sonatas' safety belts, which was usually indicated by warning lights on their dashboards, could cause air bags to improperly deploy or fail to inflate altogether. The electrical fault, which was said to affect driver and passenger seats, may also keep seat belts from tightening when the affected vehicles brace for crashes or respond to them.
"In the majority of the reports, the airbag warning light illuminated, which acted to notify the driver that a fault was present," stated the NHTSA. "The reports also indicate either the front driver and/or passenger safety belt buckle assemblies may be affected. Depending on the nature of the failure and the airbag deployment algorithm, the seat belt pre-tensioner and/or the airbag function may be affected."
Hyundai planned to provide its full cooperation to the NHTSA during the investigation into the safety belt fault, Jim Trainor, a Hyundai spokesman, said.
The NHTSA has continued to stress the importance of both seat belts and airbags. Drivers have been urged to visit their dealerships whenever a warning light indicates their vehicle's airbags aren't in a ready state.
"Seat belts are your first line of defense during a crash, whereas air bags are a supplemental restraint system," stated the NHTSA. "Remember, it takes two: First your seat belt, then your air bag. Always buckle up before turning on the ignition, and make sure your front passenger is buckled up, too."
Cut and broken wires in Isuzu N-series trucks also triggered an investigation by the NHTSA, which said it had consulted with technicians that have successfully resolved the cases of problem. At least 13,000 Isuzu trucks were targeted by the NHTSA's investigation.
Following up on 14 complaints of vehicles that stalled while driving, at least seven of which failed while traveling in excess of 40mph, the NHTSA said it was investigating at roughly 123,000 Dodge Chargers with model years of 2011 and 2012. So far, alternator issues have been cited as the source of the stalls.
At the conclusion of each of the NHTSA's investigations, the administration will determine whether a recall is warranted. Individuals with vehicles that are subject to an NHTSA investigation have been encouraged to contact vehicle dealers for safety reviews and fixes.
