Seat Belt Pretensioner (Driver and Front Passenger)
Retractor Pretensioner
Your vehicle is equipped with seat belt pretensioners for the driver and front passenger seats. The purpose of the pretensioners is to keep the seat belts snug against the occupant's body in certain frontal collisions. Seat belt pretensioners may activate in accidents where the frontal collision is severe enough.
If the system detects excessive seat belt tension on the driver's or passenger's belt when the pretensioner activates, the load limiter inside the retractor operates to slightly relieve pressure on the affected seat belt.
When the vehicle stops suddenly or the occupant attempts to lean forward quickly, the seat belt retractor locks in position. In some frontal collisions, the pretensioner activates and tightens the seat belt to fit more snugly against the occupant's body.
Seatbelt Anchor Pretensioner

The seat belt anchor pretensioner is designed to help keep the lap portion of the seat belt snug against the lower body of the occupant in certain frontal collisions. The seat belt pretensioner may activate in accidents where the frontal collision is severe enough.
WARNING
- Always wear your seat belt and sit properly in your seat.
- Do not use a seat belt that is loose or twisted. A loose or twisted seat belt will not properly protect you in the event of an accident.
- Do not place anything near the buckle. It may interfere with latching and cause malfunction.
- Always replace pretensioners after activation or an accident.
- NEVER attempt to inspect, service, repair, or replace the pretensioners yourself. This must be done by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.
- Do not strike the seat belt assemblies.
WARNING
Do not touch the seat belt pretensioners for several minutes after they have been activated. When the seat belt pretensioner activates during a collision, the pretensioners become hot and may burn you.

The seat belt pretensioner system consists mainly of the following components. Their location is shown in the illustration above:
1. SRS Airbag Warning Light
2. Seat Belt Retractor Pretensioner
3. SRS Control Module
4. Anchor Pretensioner
NOTICE
The sensor that activates the SRS airbag is connected to the seat belt pretensioners. The SRS airbag warning lamp on the instrument panel will illuminate for approximately 6 seconds after the ignition switch is turned to the ON position, and then it should go off.
If the pretensioner does not operate properly, the warning light will illuminate even if the SRS airbag is normal. If the warning light does not illuminate, stays on, or flashes while driving, have the seat belts with pretensioners and the SRS airbags inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer as soon as possible.
NOTICE
- The driver's and front passenger's seat belt pretensioners may activate in certain frontal or side collisions or in a rollover.
- The pretensioners will not activate if the seat belts are not fastened at the time of a collision.
- When the seat belt pretensioners activate, a loud noise may be heard, and fine dust may be visible in the passenger compartment, which may look like smoke. This is a normal operating condition and is not hazardous.
- Although it is non-toxic, the fine dust may cause skin irritation and should not be breathed for a long period. Thoroughly wash all exposed skin after an accident in which the seat belt pretensioners have activated.
Test yourself
A quick Hyundai Sonata LF quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.