Tucson recall

I don't know if this is Hyundai again being overly cautious, but they have announced a recall of five hundred Tucson SUVs in the United States:

South Korea's top automaker Hyundai Motor said Tuesday it is recalling more than 500 Tucson sport utility vehicles in the United States due to potentially defective airbags.

It was the firm's second such announcement in a week, after it said on February 24 it would recall 47,300 of its latest Sonata sedans in the US and the domestic market due to a possible door lock problem.

The firm said the latest action affects 515 "2010 Tucson" units made in South Korea and exported to the US from November 10-30, because their airbags may not work properly for a front-seat passenger.

"Hyundai is voluntarily initiating this action to ensure the safety and quality of vehicles and the continued satisfaction of our customers. Dealers will make the repairs free of charge," it said in a statement.

And seriously is how they should take this. Toyota is taking a beating in the media, with the Congressional hearings on the company focusing on the memo bragging about saving $100 million by not doing an earlier recall, as well as articles like this one in the Los Angeles Times which highlight, one by one, all the people suspected of having died from the acceleration problem.

Hyundai does not need something like that. Stay honest and keep making safe and reliable vehicles. Above all, resist the urge to be penny wise and pound foolish when it comes to safety and recalls.