NHTSA Complaint #10422919 — 2007 FORD FOCUS

THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER OF MY 2007 FORD FOCUS CAME ON FOR THE FIRST TIME AUGUST 31, 2011. THE CAR HAS 37,023 MILES AND HAS HAD ALL THE DEALER MAINTENANCE PERFORMED SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED. I WAS TOLD BY THE LONGMONT FORD DEALER THAT THE ON BOARD DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER INDICATED A LOSS OF COMMUNICATION AND THAT THE AIRBAG SAFETY SYSTEM WAS NOT ENGAGED WHEN THE LIGHT WAS ON. I RETURNED TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY TO HAVE A COMPLETE DIAGNOSTIC TO DETERMINE WHAT HAD CAUSED THE LIGHT TO ACTIVATE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAD FAILED AND THAT THE ENTIRE CLUSTER MUST BE REPLACED. THIS ELECTRONIC FAILURE REPRESENTS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE IF NOT REPLACED AT A COST OF ~$800.00. I AM DEEPLY CONCERNED THAT OTHER DRIVERS OF THIS CAR MAY NOT UNDERSTAND THAT THE SAFETY SYSTEM IS COMPLETELY INACTIVE WHEN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILS IN THIS WAY. FORD DOES NOT OFFER TO REPLACE THIS AS PART OF THE SAFETY WARRANTY PROGRAM. I THINK THIS IS WRONG AND REPRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD FOR DRIVERS WHO MAY NOT UNDERSTAND THE FAILURE OR WHO CANNOT AFFORD TO MAKE SUCH A REPAIR AND CHOOSE TO DRIVE THE CARE WITHOUT THE SAFETY FEATURE OPERABLE. *TR