Hyundai Kona Seat Belt Flaw Triggers New Recall, Affecting Thousands of SUVs

Hyundai has issued a recall for certain Kona SUV models after discovering that the front seat belts may fail to lock properly during a crash. The defect, which affects vehicles from the 2024 and 2025 model years, was flagged during internal testing and could increase the risk of injury in a collision.

According to documents filed with federal safety regulators, the issue stems from a manufacturing error in the seat belt retractor mechanism.

The recall covers an estimated 8,200 vehicles in the United States, with the majority being the gasoline-powered Kona and a smaller number of the all-electric Kona Electric. Hyundai says the problem is limited to vehicles built between October 2023 and September 2024. Owners will be notified by mail starting next month, and dealers will inspect and replace the faulty seat belt assemblies at no cost.

The company is not aware of any crashes or injuries linked to the defect.

This is the latest in a series of recalls for Hyundai this year, following earlier actions over engine fire risks and brake issues. For Kona owners, the fix is straightforward: take the SUV to a local dealership for the free repair. If you own a 2024 or 2025 Kona, check your vehicle identification number (VIN) on Hyundai's recall website or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's site to see if your car is affected.

As always, getting the repair done promptly is the best way to stay safe on the road.