Recall: 2012-2013 Hyundai Azeras for faulty airbag sensors

5,200 of the large sedans may have problems detecting passengers in the front seat.

Hyundai is recalling 5,200 Azera sedans to fix sensors that can wrongly deploy the passenger airbag, according to filings with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 

In some 2012-2013 Azeras, the capacitive sensors in the front passenger seat, which are designed to detect the difference between a child, an adult and a car seat, can malfunction due to a change in the seating fabric. As a result, in a crash the airbag either may not deactivate or may deploy at a lower speed than necessary. The new fabric can alter the conductivity of the sensors in the seat cushion below, Hyundai said. At least five warranty claims, triggered by an airbag fault warning light were reported to Hyundai. No accidents or injuries have been reported.

Dealers will recalibrate the airbag sensors when Hyundai sends out letters to owners, which could be from now through September, the company said. Owners can call Hyundai at 734-337-9499.

In April, Hyundai recalled nearly 1.9 million cars in the U.S. and Puerto Rico for electrical problems that could cause multiple electrical systems to fail and for side airbags that could cause injuries. In July 2012, Hyundai recalled 221,630 vehicles for airbag problems including faulty front passenger-seat sensors and side curtain airbags that could deploy inadvertently because of leaks in the gas inflater modules.

autos.msn.com