Speed Control Springs problems of the 2013 Hyundai Elantra

Certain steering wheel controls -- including the volume controls and bluetooth phone controls -- stopped working. A few months later, more steering wheel controls -- such as other audio and media controls -- stopped working. A year later, the ability to change the steering tension, from comfort to normal to sport, stopped working. Within the past year, the cruise control buttons on the steering wheel have stopped working, and the red airbag light is on continuously. Although Hyundai has issued a recall for certain 2011-2014 Elantra vehicles, and my vehicle meets that year range and model, the dealership will not cover replacing the airbag clock spring assembly because my VIN does not match their criteria. As such, the dealership has quoted $480 to fix my vehicle's airbag clock spring assembly. If my vehicle experiences the same airbag safety issues that covered vehicles have experienced and which prompted the recall, my vehicle also should be covered under the extended clock spring warranty.

On engine start up, the air bag warning light was activated indicating failure with either the airbag or supplement restraint system. Dealer diagnostics indicated the "clockspring" part had failed. This part has failed often enough that Hyundai has extended warranty on "some models of 2011-2014" Elantra, but not the model of my car even though it is the same part that is on all 2011-2014 Elantra models. Should it fail while the vehicle is moving, then the driver's airbag may not deploy during an accident or the supplement restraint system may not work. The "clockspring" part connects to the speed control system.

The clock spring contact assembly for the driver's air bag supplemental restraint system (srs) has become damaged through usage over time. The driver's air bag electrical circuit experiences a high resistance condition, causing the driver's air bag to not deploy. The clock spring develops high resistance, in the event of a crash, the drivers air bag will not deploy and will not be able to properly protect the driver, increasing the risk of injuries. Hyundai has issued a recall/TSB for the 2013 Hyundai Elantra sedan, but not the hatchback which utilizes the exact same part. The repair cost is almost $500 at the dealer and because the repair involves removing the airbag and removing the steering wheel it poses a safety risk for shade tree mechanics. The attached TSB should also apply to the Elantra hatchback as well,.