WASHINGTON, D.C. -

The recall notices keep pouring out of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as Hyundai, Kia and Subaru told federal officials about campaigns to bring back more than 280,000 vehicles.

The majority of those recalled models are from Hyundai, and the automaker is summoning back the Santa Fe and Veracruz from the 2007 and 2008 model years.

NHTSA indicated a total of 205,233 units manufactured between Dec. 26, 2006 and March 21, 2008 may contain a clock spring contact assembly for the driver’s air bag supplemental restraint system that could become damaged through usage over time.

Officials believe the driver’s air bag electrical circuit will experience a high resistance condition, potentially causing the driver’s air bag to not deploy.
If the clock spring develops high resistance, NHTSA said in the event of a crash, the driver’s air bag will not deploy and not be able to properly protect the driver, increasing the risk of injuries.

Hyundai has instructed its franchised dealers to replace the vehicle’s driver’s side air bag clock spring contact assembly, as necessary, for free. The automaker expects to begin notifying potentially effected owners and recall repair work this month.

In the meantime, owners can contact Hyundai’s customer connect center at (800) 633-5151.

Kia Sorrento Air Bag Issue

Hyundai’s sister brand, Kia, also notified NHTSA of a recall related to air bags.

The recall of 10,631 Kia Sorento units from the 2007 and 2008 model years involves crossovers manufactured between June 15, 2006 and Nov. 27, 2007.
NHTSA stated the front passenger air bag may be turned off when an adult is in the passenger seat.

Federal officials explained the front passenger air bag is designed to be turned off in limited circumstances, including when children and small adults are seated in the front passenger seat or if there is a child restraint in that seat or the seat is not occupied.

The vehicle’s occupant classification system (OCS), which classifieds the occupant in the front passenger seat, may misclassify an adult passenger as a child or child seat and improperly turn off the passenger side air bag.

NHTSA pointed out when the air bag is deactivated, the passenger air bag off light will illuminate on the center instrument panel.

The agency discovered the passenger side air bag is turned off when the OCS misclassifies an adult passenger. With the front passenger air bag off, NHTSA insisted the front passenger will not have the protection of the passenger air bags in some front collisions, increasing the risk of occupant injury.

As a result, Kia is already notifying owners to alert them of service campaign No. SC076. Franchised dealers have been told to update the programming of the Sorento’s OCS control module at no charge.

Owners also can contact Kia at (800) 333-4542.

Another Subaru Recall

Coming on the heels of separate recalls, Subaru told NHTSA it is bringing back a total of 69,590 units manufactured between Aug. 3, 2010 and July 1.
The recalled models — 2011 Legacy and Outback — have moonroof glass that may come loose or detach.

NHTSA explained the moonroof glass can loosen and detach from the vehicle during driving, resulting in a potential road hazard for other drivers and increasing the risk of a crash.

Beginning next month, federal officials said Subaru intends to notify owners to take their units to franchised dealers that will inspect the glass adhesion condition. Dealers will either apply additional adhesive or replace the moonroof glass for free.

Vehicle owners can also call Subaru at (800)-782-2783.

Subaru vehicles also were included in a recall of more than 500,000 units recently announced by NHTSA. Auto Remarketing published the details of those bulletins here.