NHTSA Complaint #10198895 — 2005 FORD TAURUS

I HAVE A 2005 FORD TAURUS WHICH IS EQUIPPED WITH A "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" FEATURE. ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL, THE CAR IS SUPPOSED TO DETERMINE IF A CHILD WEIGHS ENOUGH FOR THE AIRBAG TO BE DEPLOYED AND IF NOT THE AIRBAG IS SUPPOSED TO BE DISABLED AND A LIGHT NEAR THE HEAT/AIR CONTROLS WILL LIGHT UP STATING "PASS AIRBAG OFF." THIS FEATURE WAS ONE OF THE DECIDING FACTORS WHEN WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE. RECENTLY I HAD AN ACCIDENT WHEN MY VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD STRIKING A UTILITY POLE. THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITH MY BARELY 60 POUND DAUGHTER IN THE FRONT SEAT. WE ALL KNOW THAT AIRBAGS ARE DANGEROUS, HOWEVER MANY PARENTS DEPEND ON THIS SPECIAL FEATURE THAT IS SUPPOSED TO AUTOMATICALLY TURN OFF THE AIRBAG WHEN THEIR SMALL CHILD OR CARSEAT IS IN THE FRONT.