The problem
On certain sport utility vehicles, the front passenger air bag is mounted beneath the right portion of the instrument panel's padded surface. Tear lines are formed into the underside of the instrument panel's padded surface during the production process of the instrument panel top pad. These tear lines allow a portion of the instrument panel surface to fold upward if the passenger air bag deploys.
The risk
In the event of a vehicle crash, the air bag May not deploy properly, possibly resulting in serious injury to the right front passenger.
The fix
Hyundai will replace the instrument panel. Owner notification began on October 13, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Hyundai of America at 1-800-633-5151, or if the vehicle is located in puerto rico, Hyundai of puerto rico at 1-800-981-0188.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 03V-321 (03V321000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer number | 063 |
| Manufacturer | Hyundai Motor America |
| Component | Air bags › Frontal |
| Report date | August 26, 2003 |
| Owners notified | October 13, 2003 |
| Vehicles affected | 49 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the air bags
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 03V-321 repair free?
Yes. Hyundai dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Hyundai will replace the instrument panel. Owner notification began on October 13, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Hyundai…
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 49 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.