NHTSA Complaint #10322166 — 1999 PORSCHE 911 CARRERA

THERE IS A PERSISTENT PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG. RECORDS (FROM PREVIOUS OWNER) SHOW THAT THERE WERE REPAIRS TO THE WIRING HARNESS AND SEAT BUCKLE AT 39,786 MILES, AGAIN AT 44,056 MILES, AND ONCE AGAIN AT 45,157 MILES. OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS (AS THE CURRENT OWNER), I HAVE HAD THE AIR BAG LIGHT TURNED OFF TWICE BY THE DEALER (AT AROUND 50,000 AND 52,000 MILES) BUT THE LIGHT HAS REAPPEARED AFTER A PERIOD OF OPERATION. ALTHOUGH THIS IS SAFETY RELATED ITEM, PORSCHE SAYS IT IS NOT OBLIGATED TO MAKE THE REPAIR SINCE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THEIR DEALER ALSO STATED (LAST YEAR) THAT IF I PAID FOR SUCH A REPAIR (ABOUT $1000) AND THE PROBLEM REOCCURRED OVER TIME, I WOULD STILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR A SECOND TIME. PORSCHE SEEMS NOT TO ABIDE BY THE STATEMENT ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE THAT "IF A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS IN A MOTOR VEHICLE OR ITEM OF MOTOR VEHICLE EQUIPMENT, THE MANUFACTURE MUST PROVIDE A REMEDY AT NO COST TO THE OWNER." MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE APPARENTLY HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG. SOMEHOW, PORSCHE USA SHOULD BE FORCED TO COMPLY WITH NATIONAL REGULATIONS AND/OR POLICY. THEY ARE VERY UNRESPONSIVE.