2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid

I was performing a low-speed maneuver to reverse-park into my driveway. After making a right turn between my driveway and the driveway of a neighboring townhouse across the street, I came to a complete stop. When I shifted the vehicle into reverse, the vehicle did not reverse as expected and instead unexpectedly accelerated forward. I applied the brake but was unable to stop the vehicle before it traveled forward into the driveway across the street and struck the garage door of a neighboring townhouse. The maneuver was being performed at low speed. Weather conditions were clear, and the driveway surface was dry. The cause of the unexpected acceleration is unknown at this time. No warning lights, messages, or alerts were observed prior to or during the incident. Immediately following the collision, I placed the vehicle into park and applied the parking brake, at which point the vehicle came to rest. Upon impact, the driver-side front airbag deployed. Smoke and a burning odor were observed coming from the deployed airbag. The incident posed a safety risk due to the vehicle’s unexpected forward movement during a low-speed maneuver and resulted in property damage. No injuries were reported. The vehicle remains available for inspection.

Animal chewed the wiring harness causing an airbag malfunction warning and transmission failure. My safety was put at risk because the airbag wouldn't work and the transmission failed while I was driving. The vehicle is being repaired right now with a new harness. Talking with the insurance adjuster. I was informed this was a common issue with this vehicle due to the materials the manufacturer uses. The harness is not properly designed with the proper materials for the environment it is used in.