NHTSA Complaint #10638108 — 2004 INFINITI QX56

WE CURRENTLY OWN A 2004 INFINITI QX56. WE HAVE RECEIVED ERROR CODE B1177 WHICH IS FOR THE PRETENSIONER IN SEATBELTS. ADDITIONALLY, THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS FLASHING. WE UNDERSTAND FROM THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON DUE TO THE BATTERY BEING REPLACED AND THAT IT NEEDED TO BE RESET. THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME BAG ON SHORTLY THEREAFTER AND WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO SCANNED THE CODE. HE ADVISED US OF THE ERROR CODE AND WHAT IT WAS ASSOCIATED WITH. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, IT APPEARS THAT AN EXTENSIVE AMOUNT OF OWNERS OF THE INFINITI QX56 AS WELL AS THE NISSAN ARMADA (SISTER VEHICLE) HAVE THIS EXACT ISSUE. WE ARE UNSURE AS TO WHETHER THE AIRBAGS WILL FAIL IF INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT OR IF THE SAFETY BELTS WILL ALSO NOT WORK. THE VEHICLE HAS A 10 YEAR SEATBELT WARRANTY BUT THE DEALERS ARE STATING THAT THIS ITEM IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS OBVIOUS NEGLECT AND DEFECT ON THE MANUFACTURER'S PART AND PUTS THE OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES AT SERIOUS RISK. WE ARE A FAMILY OF 5 WITH 3 SMALL CHILDREN. WE CANNOT AFFORD TO PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE OR TO PAY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO CORRECT THIS SAFETY RELATED ISSUE. PLEASE ADVISE. *TR