HT: Sonata air bag recall

HT, I have a question for you. I took my '06 Sonata in today for the
recall regarding the passenger side air bag. I tested it numberous times
with my Mother, who weighs about 100 lbs. or so. The light indicating the
air bag was OFF, or diabled, came on every single time.

So I get to the dealer. They call out some 100 lb. 19 year old they have
working their, who proceeds to sit in the passenger seat while my
"advisor" starts the car. The air bag functioned properly.

There reasoning was that my Mom must not have had her lower back against
the seat back like it is supposed to be.

I argued for a bit, wondering what the difference would be if that was the
way she sits.

Can you possibly explain all the sensors involved here so I can decide
whether or not to pursue this?

Thanks,
Eric

 

Unfortunately, I can't. Hyundai doesn't release enough information for m
to know exactly how everything works. I will, however, tell you what I d
know.

If I recall correctly, there's a bladder in the seat bottom of th
passenger seat. Passenger size and weight affect how the occupant i
rated.

In terms of the recall, if you can, you should make an appointment at
time when you can take your mother to the dealer. This recall involve
reprogramming that's to be done on an individual case only, i.e. t
protect only certain individuals who may improperly cause the car to tur
off the passenger's air bag. It's irrelevant what happens with som
passenger who never rides in the seat. What's relevant is what happen
with your mother, who does ride in the seat.

Part of the problem, as the dealer suggests, may indeed be the seatin
position. The dealer staff should be happy to review proper seatin
position with you and your mother. Basically, the following should ar
necessary:
-- seat back in reasonably upright position
-- passenger seated fully back in seat
-- legs resting on center of seat bottom (not lifted off by moving fee
close to front of seat, and not on side bolster).

Just to note, I'm not in full agreement with the terms of this recall.
Hyundai makes the point that the reprogramming is to be done only o
specific cars with specific passengers that have an issue. Doesn't thi
then potentially put other passengers in that same car at risk? Wha
happens when the car is sold? If there are no problems in this scenario
then why isn't the reprogramming done on all cars

 

I have to wonder if the re-calibration makes others near that weight range
vulnerable too. I don't have the problems so I'm not going to pursue it.
OTOH, I'm going to leave the recall notice in the glovebox so if I ever sell
the car the next owner can decide if he as a problem.

 

Thanks HT and Edwin. Yeah, since we have the minivan, my Sonata went
from primary to secondary vehicle, so my Mom is pretty much it in the
front seat. My wife on occasion too, but I've never seen the light on
(air bag off) with her in the seat. Maybe it's because she is a 400lb.
Sumo wrestler (haha, just kidding).

Let me take your point one step further, HT. If my Mom sits a little
differently than they "require", why should the air bag turn off? It's
a rhetorical question, but one I AM going to pursue.

Something seems like it was just designed WRONG from the start and they
are trying to dodge the bullet as much as possible.

Again, thanks for the input. Mom will be coming with me when I return.
Although the girl in the service dept was a little more to my liking

Eric