Hyundai Kona Recall R/2019/001: The Airbag Control Unit May Detect A Crash Signal And Command Deployment Or Non Deployment…, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 30 Jan 2019
- Launched
- 416
- vehicles in the UK
- 81C101
- Manufacturer’s campaign code
Hyundai recalled Kona vehicles built between 9 May 2018 and 19 December 2018. The airbag may not deploy properly during a crash due to a programming issue. The dealer will upgrade the software in the Airbag Control Unit. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
The airbag may not deploy properly during a crash due to a programming issue.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: THE AIRBAG CONTROL UNIT MAY DETECT A CRASH SIGNAL AND COMMAND DEPLOYMENT OR NON DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG Defect: The airbag may not deploy properly during a crash due to a programming issue Remedy: Upgrade the software in the Airbag Control Unit.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
The recall notice describes the concern as: the airbag control unit may detect a crash signal and command deployment or non deployment of the airbag.
The Fix
The dealer will upgrade the software in the Airbag Control Unit. The fix is a software update, which usually takes under an hour at the dealer.
Are You Affected?
Kona built between 9 May 2018 and 19 December 2018 may be included. Hyundai estimates 416 vehicles in the UK. Enter your registration to check, then confirm by VIN with Hyundai, because not every car in the date range may be included.
Which Car Is It?
Choose the make and model so we can match recalls to your car.
What To Do Now
- Check your car by registration above, then by VIN with Hyundai.
- Book with any franchised Hyundai dealer, quoting the campaign code 81C101 or the DVSA reference R/2019/001. See how to get a Hyundai recall fixed.
- Follow the letter's instructions until the repair is done. See can you drive a car with a recall?.
Related Recalls
| Launched | Vehicle and fault | Severity | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| I20, Kona, Santa FE, TucsonIn the event of ecall trigger the VIN number information may not be sent | Book soon | R/2021/014 | |
| KonaBrake fluid line and A/C tube pipes could become damaged and leak | Urgent | R/2019/115 | |
| I30Driver-side Airbag (DAB) Inflator may not deploy as intended | Urgent | R/2025/456 | |
| Tucson NX4EThe side curtain airbag could potentially be assembled in a twisted condition | Urgent | R/2024/036 | |
| TucsonThe side curtain airbag could potentially be assembled in a twisted condition | Urgent | R/2021/220 |
This is one of 102 Hyundai recalls in DVSA’s data. The Hyundai recall launched before it was R/2018/298 on 17 Dec 2018, for rear sliding doors may close suddenly. The one launched after it was R/2019/055 on 28 Feb 2019, for the sunroof motor has an incorrect software version installed. You can also see every Hyundai recall, the Hyundai Kona recall history, all recalls launched in 2019 and airbag recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/2019/001, launched 30 January 2019. Data updated 15 October 2026. How we grade urgency.
Sources
- The Code does not itself say repairs are free. GOV.UK guidance says "You will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts under a safety recall." gov.uk Checked 15 Oct 2026.