NHTSA safety recall National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Hyundai recall: The side curtain air bags may not have been installed properly

Recall published 11 months ago

The side curtain air bags may not have been installed properly, which can cause the air bags not to deploy as intended.

The hazard: Airbag or restraint defect

This campaign concerns the airbag or restraint system, which only matters in a crash — and is therefore easy to postpone and expensive to postpone.

What the notice says: Side curtain air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Why it matters: The airbag or its inflator may not deploy correctly, may deploy without a crash, or may send fragments into the cabin when it fires. The system is meant to be the last line of protection, so a fault in it is only discovered at the worst possible moment.

Recall details

Recall number
25V809000
Published
November 21, 2025
Risk level
NHTSA safety recall
Status
Open safety recall
Issued by
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Brand
Hyundai
Product type
Air Bags
Distribution
Nationwide
Vehicles
Hyundai Santa Cruz · Hyundai Santa Fe · Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid · Hyundai Tucson
Lot / code info
NHTSA campaign number 25V809000

Products covered by this recall

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025 Tucson, 2025-2026 Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, and 2026 Genesis GV70 vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not have been installed properly, which can cause the air bags not to deploy as intended.

Check your product

The notice names 5 codes you can read straight off the package. Type the one printed on yours and the list below narrows to it.

Vehicle

Match this against the make and model on your registration.

  • Tucson
  • Santa Cruz
  • Santa Fe
  • Santa Fe Hybrid
  • and 2026 Genesis GV70

Codes are lifted verbatim from the NHTSA — Vehicle safety recalls notice. A code that is missing here may still be covered — the official notice is the complete list.

What to do about Airbag

Hyundai — This campaign concerns the airbag or restraint system, which only matters in a crash — and is therefore easy to postpone and expensive to postpone.

  1. Treat this as a high-priority repair rather than something to fit around your next service.
  2. Keep the repair order the dealer hands you. It is your proof the campaign was closed out, and it matters at resale.
  3. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you do anything else. A campaign covers a build range, not every car of that model year, and the VIN lookup is the only thing that confirms yours is included.
  4. Call any franchised dealer for the brand, give them the campaign number from this page, and ask them to confirm parts are in stock before you book — part supply, not labour, is what delays a fresh recall.

Costs, reimbursement and your rights

The repair itself is free. What people most often miss is that money already spent can frequently be claimed back.

  • If you paid for the same repair out of pocket before the recall was announced, ask the manufacturer for reimbursement. Carmakers must run a reimbursement plan for pre-notification repairs; you will need the original invoice.
  • An unrepaired open recall can affect a sale or trade-in. Closing it out costs nothing and protects the value of the vehicle.
  • Towing is normally covered where the vehicle is unsafe to drive, and loaner cars or rental reimbursement are often available on long parts delays. Neither is usually offered unless you ask.
  • A dealer may not charge a diagnostic, inspection or shop-supplies fee for recall work. If one appears on the estimate, query it before you sign.

Remedy named in the notice: Dealers will reinstall the side curtain air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning December 29, 2025. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's numbers for this recall are 289 and 029G. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 22, 2025.

Company contact: Hyundai Motor America

The official notice

This page summarises a notice published by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The agency notice is the authoritative version — read it before you act, and treat it as the final word if anything here looks different.

Open the NHTSA — Vehicle safety recalls record National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recalls

Questions people ask about this recall

Why was Hyundai air bags recalled?

The side curtain air bags may not have been installed properly, which can cause the air bags not to deploy as intended. Side curtain air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

The notice does not publish package codes for this recall. Compare the product name, size and the purchase window against the official NHTSA — Vehicle safety recalls record, and contact the company if you are unsure.

What should I do with it right now?

Treat this as a high-priority repair rather than something to fit around your next service.

Can I get my money back?

The notice says: Dealers will reinstall the side curtain air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning December 29, 2025. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's numbers for this recall are 289 and 029G. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 22, 2025.

Does the repair cost me anything?

No. Safety recall repairs are performed free of charge at a franchised dealer for as long as the campaign is open, whether or not the vehicle is still under warranty.

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