Hyundai Motor America Announces Customer Service Action(recall?) for 2004 and 2005 Elantra Models

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Dec. 16, 2004 -- To ensure the continued satisfaction of our customers with their vehicles, Hyundai Motor America has announced a voluntary customer service action involving approximately 120,000 model year 2004 and 2005 Elantra sedans produced prior to December 17, 2004. In response to one recent crash test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), Hyundai will install a software change on all affected vehicles addressing the deployment of the airbag system under the unique, severe conditions of the 40 mph/40 percent offset frontal barrier test conducted by the IIHS. Although the IIHS test is not required by federal regulators, Hyundai is committed to the safety of its vehicles.

Owners of all 2004 and 2005 Elantras will be contacted directly with instructions on how and where to obtain the free software change. The operation will be provided free-of-charge to all 2004 and 2005 Elantra owners.

The action does not affect vehicles produced prior to the 2004 model year. The software change will be factory-installed in all new Elantras effective December 17, 2004.

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea. Hyundai cars and sport utility vehicles are distributed in the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced by more than 650 dealers nationwide.