Auto manufacturer Hyundai announced it is recalling about 5,200 sedans because of a potential flaw with its front passenger airbag’s sensitivity readings.
The recall of Azera cars built from May 22 to November 23, 2012, comes from a sensor for the airbag losing the ability to properly distinguish when it should and should not deploy, according to USA Today. The front seat sensors are meant to distinguish small and light passengers, namely children, from larger adults, and inflate less when a smaller person is in the seat. A full inflation could harm a smaller person more than it would help.
In November, the automaker’s supplied told the company that changing the fabric that covers the sensor mat inside the seat could potentially cause the system to make an inaccurate reading and inflate the airbag.
Five warranty claims have been reported as a result of the safety flaw, though no injuries were reported. Instead, the vehicles’ airbag warning lights would turn on in situations where they were not needed.
Hyundai has not provided a notification schedule yet, according to the NHTSA, but will inform owners. Dealers will recalibrate their vehicles’ sensors.
Properly testing vehicle components before a car reaches market can prevent costs incurred by recalls while extending vehicles’ lifespans.