NHTSA Complaint #10437892 — 2007 SUZUKI SX4

UPON START-UP THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT LIGHT ARE ON PERSISTENTLY. THIS IS WHETHER OR NOT SOMEONE IS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. ACCORDING TO AN ON-LINE QUERY, WE FOUND MULTIPLE ENTRIES (COMPLAINTS) OF OTHER CUSTOMERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM FOR 2007, 2008 AND 2009 MODELS. THE CULPRIT IS A FAULTY SENSOR IN THE SEAT CUSHION. THUS FAR SUZUKI HAS NOT ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE, NOR DO THEY FEEL IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN. FROM WHAT THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER INDICATED (AND AS STATED ON COMPLAINTS WE FOUND) WITH THE CAR IN THE CURRENT CONDITION, OUR AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THE ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR OF THE SEAT CUSHION AND SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY IS $1700.00. THE DEALERSHIP COMPARED THIS REPAIR TO THAT OF SAY AN ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION GOING OUT. THEY (BOTH THE DEALERSHIP PERSONNEL AND SUZUKI CORP. CUSTOMER SERVICE PERSONNEL) SAY IT IS FAIR TO EXPECT TO PAY FOR SUCH REPAIRS, AFTER THE WARRANTY PERIOD. WE FEEL THIS IS A FAULTY COMPONENT. WE FEEL THAT IT IS WRONG OF SUZUKI TO EXPECT CAR OWNERS TO PAY FOR SUCH REPAIRS. WE BELIEVE THAT THIS NON-VALUE ADDED FEATURE, NOW DEFECTIVE, IS JEOPARDIZING OUR LIVES. SINCE WHEN DID REPLACING SEAT CUSHIONS AND SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES BECOME STANDARD CAR REPAIRS? SINCE WHEN IS A FAULTY COMPONENT THAT ESSENTIALLY DISABLES THE ENTIRE AIR-BAG SYSTEM DEEMED TO BE A SIMPLE REPAIR ISSUE AND NOT A SAFETY CONCERN? WE FAIL TO SEE HOW THIS IS THE CASE. WE FAIL TO SEE HOW SUZUKI CAN JUSTIFY SUCH STATEMENTS. *KB