NHTSA Complaint #10253948 — 2002 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS

AIR BAGS ARE RENDERED INOPERATIVE BY FAILURE OF A SENSOR IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER. FLASHES CODE 3-4. PART IN QUESTION IS OEM NUMBER 2W7Z54611B09AAA. FORD ADVISES THAT PART IS DISCONTINUED, NO REPLACEMENT PARTS AVAILABLE. NO OTHER EXPLANATION. THIS LEAVES TWO CHOICES: DRIVE WITHOUT AIRBAG PROTECTION OR REPLACE VEHICLE. THIS CAR HAS LESS THAN 16,000 MILES ON IT AND NEED NOT BE REPLACED. HOW CAN A SAFETY CRITICAL ITEM BE DISCONTINUED IN LESS THAN 6 YEARS. THIS PART IS REQUIRED TO BE REPLACED IN THE EVENT OF AN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND, AS IN MY CASE, WHEN THE SENSOR FAILED. *TR