Suzuki Motor of America is recalling nearly 200,000 cars and SUVs to fix a problem with air bag that could allow the device to deploy even if a child is sitting in the front seat, reports The Detroit News.
The recall affects the 2006-11 Suzuki Grand Vitara compact SUV and 2007-11 Suzuki SX4 passenger cars.
The automaker received more than 70 failures reports since 2007, including 40 in 2012. There were no reports of injuries.
Suzuki said the sensor mat installed in the front passenger seat can develop an electrical circuit disconnection over time as a result of repeated flexing of the mat from use of the seat. When a circuit disconnection occurs, the air bag warning lamp is illuminated, the air bag remains enabled. In a frontal impact of sufficient force, the front air bag will deploy even if there is a child in the front seat. Air bags are supposed to disconnect if a small adult or child is sitting in the front seat because of the danger of injuries. Other complaints said adults were improperly classified as children and the airbag was deactivated.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had received 128 reports of problems. The agency contacted Suzuki in April about the company’s technical service bulletin and then opened a formal investigation into the issue in June.
According to Suzuki, distributors will replace the front passenger seat cushion assembly — which includes the sensor mat.
The company plans to notify dealers by the end of the month. “Due to the limited availability of parts, owners will initially be notified of the recall and asked to make an appointment with their dealer only if their air bag warning light is illuminated.”
Source: The Detroit News
