Suzuki Motor of America is recalling 194,000 model year 2006-2011 Grand Vitara and 2007-2011 SX4 vehicles because of a defective airbag sensor in the passenger seat. In the recalled Suzuki models, the OCS sensor mat from supplier Continental may fail due to repeated flexing of the mat from use of the seat. As a result, during a crash, the air bag will deploy regardless of whether the front seat occupant is an adult or a child. A deploying airbag can kill or severely injure a child. (See American Suzuki Bankrupt. Auto Sales in North America to Cease)
Suzuki will notify owners and dealers will replace the front passenger-seat cushion that includes the OCS sensor mat free of charge as required by NHTSA regulations.
Suzuki had extended the warranty period for the mat to 10 years/120,000 miles in the U.S. and globally. It also replaced some of the mats under a service action. NHTSA appears to have forced the recall by opening an investigation into the airbag system in June of 2013 after receiving more than 100 complaints from owners about an airbag warning light. An automaker is supposed to recall defective vehicles within five business days of discovering a safety defect. Both Toyota and Ford have paid record fines for not doing so.
Because sufficient quantities of parts are not currently available to fix all of the affected vehicles. Owners will be notified of the recall in October 2013 and will receive a second notification when parts are available to have their vehicle repaired. Owners may contact Suzuki at 1-800-255-2550. Suzuki’s recall campaign number is VD.
Vehicles that previously had a countermeasure occupant classification system (OCS) sensor mat installed under the special coverage campaign conducted by Suzuki distributors in the United States are not affected by this recall. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or go to www.safercar.gov about NHTSA recall 13V-405. (See also Bankrupt American Suzuki can sell off Cars with Ally Credit)
