Hyundai Recalls Nearly 300,000 Vehicles Over Seat Belt Anchor Defect

Hyundai Motor America has launched a recall covering 294,128 vehicles after discovering that seat belt anchors in some models may not stay properly attached, a defect the company says could leave occupants inadequately restrained in a crash.

The recall, filed with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on April 6, covers the 2023-2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6, the 2023-2026 Genesis G90 and the 2024-2026 Hyundai Santa Fe and Santa Fe Hybrid. Regulators said the driver or passenger seat belt anchor could detach, weakening the belt's ability to hold occupants in place during a collision.

In its filing, Hyundai warned that a detached anchor "will not adequately restrain the seat occupant," raising the risk of injury in an accident. The company said the issue has not been tied to any reported crashes or injuries so far, and it is not currently facing litigation specifically over this defect.

Dealers will inspect the affected vehicles and reinforce or replace the seat belt anchors at no cost to owners. Hyundai plans to mail notification letters to affected customers by June 5, and owners can reach the company at 1-855-371-9460, or 844-340-9741 for Genesis vehicles, to schedule service in the meantime.

The seat belt anchor issue lands as Hyundai continues to face broader scrutiny over vehicle quality. The automaker is separately fighting a class action lawsuit alleging it sold Tucson SUVs equipped with faulty automatic emergency braking systems, and the company has issued a steady stream of safety recalls in recent years covering everything from fire risks to software glitches.

While the latest action affects a fraction of Hyundai's global sales, the recurring recalls add pressure on the Korean automaker to reassure customers and regulators that its expanding lineup — spanning electric vehicles like the Ioniq 6 to luxury Genesis models — meets consistent safety standards as it competes for market share in the U.S.