Kia is recalling over 17,000 2021 and 2022 Sorento Hybrid SUVs, and the 2022 Sorento Plug-in Hybrids, because their front seat belt pretensioners may explode and cause injuries during a crash, according to Yonkers-based Consumer Reports.

A seat belt pretensioner is an important safety device that uses a controlled explosive charge to tighten the belt at the onset of a crash in order to prevent injury. However, on these recalled vehicles, the seat belt pretensioners could explode in a way that sends metal fragments toward the vehicle’s occupants.

To fix the problem, Kia dealerships will install a protective cap on the faulty pretensioners, free of charge.

Kia says that it is not aware of any injuries related to this recall, but three people have been injured in crashes involving Hyundai Elantras with similar exploding pretensioners. Hyundai and Kia are owned by the same corporate parent, and in many cases their cars share parts.

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