NHTSA Complaint #10180899 — 2003 PORSCHE BOXSTER S

CALLED PORSCHE DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT HOW TO MANUALLY TURN OFF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IN 2003 BOXSTER S. I WAS TOLD THAT A PORSCHE MANUFACTURER CHILD SAFETY SEAT WAS NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED AND THEN THE SEAT BELT WOULD BE BUCKLED INTO THAT. THIS DEVICE WOULD THEN TURN OFF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. I INQUIRED ABOUT THE SIZE OF THIS SEAT AND WAS INFORMED THAT IT WOULD FIT A CHILD UP TO 5 YEARS OF AGE. I TOLD THEM THAT THE LAW REQUIRES THAT A CHILD 12 AND UNDER MUST NOT BE SEATED WITH AN AIRBAG. ALSO AN ELDERLY PERSON OR SOMEONE WHO RECENTLY HAD SURGERY WOULD ALSO NOT WANT TO BE SEATED WITH AN AIRBAG. THE BOXSTER S IS ONLY A TWO PASSENGER CAR. I WAS TOLD THAT IT CAN ONLY BE DONE WITH THE CAR SEAT INSTALLED AND THAT THEY COULD NOT DISCONNECT THE AIRBAG ANY OTHER WAY. THEY ALSO SAID THAT IF I WAS TO DISCONNECT IT OR HAVE SOMEONE ELSE TRY TO INSTALL A TURN OFF SWITCH THEN I WOULD BE VOIDING THE WARRANTY. THEY SAID THAT THE 2005'S CAME WITH A TURN OFF SWITCH BUT NONE FOR THE 2003. I ASKED A MECHANIC IN MY FAMILY ABOUT THIS, HE SAID IT SOUNDS LIKE A SAFETY ISSUE. COULD YOU PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS.*JB