NHTSA Complaint #10572560 — 2004 SUZUKI XL-7

AFTER A SNOW STORM WE GOT INTO OUR VEHICLE AND STARTED IT TO WARM IT UP. THE AIRBAG LIGHT WOULDN'T GO OFF AND THE DISPLAY ON THE STEREO FLASHED CONTINUOUSLY. FROM THIS POINT ON, THESE DISPLAYS CONTINUE TO STAY ON AT ALL TIMES. AFTER CHECKING WITH THE DEAL AND SUZUKI, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR IS BROKEN. IT CAN HAPPEN FROM SITTING THINGS ON THE SEAT OTHER THAN A PERSON, A HEAVY PERSON ON THE SEAT, NORMAL EVERY DAY USE, AND FINALLY THE COLD. I'M TOLD THE CONSEQUENCE OF THIS IS THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS OFF AND WILL REMAIN OFF FROM THAT POINT ON. THE ONLY FIX IS TO REPLACE THE SEAT WITH THE SENSOR WHICH CAN RANGE BETWEEN $2000 AND $1000 DEPENDING ON THE DEALER YOU TALK TOO. THERE IS NO EXPLANATION OF THE RADIO DISPLAY FLASHING OTHER THAN SOMEHOW THE ELECTRONICS ARE LINKED TOGETHER. I BELIEVE A RECALL SHOULD BE IN PLACE TO FIX THIS FAULTY SENSOR WITH AN EXTREMELY HIGH COST TO AN AVERAGE USER TO REPLACE AS IT RENDERS THE AIRBAG USELESS FOR THE PASSENGER OF THE VEHICLE. THERE IS NO COST EFFECTIVE WAY FOR THE CONSUMER TO FIX IT, IT REDUCES THE SAFETY OF THE PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE. I'VE READ MANY COMPLAINTS IN FORUMS ACROSS THE NET WITH THIS EXACT PROBLEM. IT REQUIRES ALSO THAT A LICENSED PROFESSIONAL BE USED TO FIX THE ISSUE WHICH INCREASES THE COST SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE CONSUMER. *TR