NHTSA Complaint #10853438 — 2006 TOYOTA SIENNA

MY 2006 SIENNA AIRBAGS UNPREDICTABLY BECOME NON-FUNCTIONAL. THAT IS, THE WARNING LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF AT UNPREDICTABLE INTERVALS. I AM TOLD BY THE DEALER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES THAT THE AIRBAGS ARE NON-FUNCTIONAL (I.E., SYSTEM SHUT DOWN) WHEN THE WARNING LIGHT IS FLASHING. THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY CONCERN TO ME FOR THE SAKE OF MY FAMILY. IT IS GALLING SINCE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WAS A MAJOR SELLING POINT OF THE CAR. AN ESTIMATE REPAIRS BY DEALER IS $1100 APPARENTLY INCLUDED REPLACING WHOLE AIRBAG SYSTEM. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY DE OWNER HAS TO RESPOND FOR A SECURE SYSTEM THAT NEVER HAD USED, AND WHY THE MANUFACTURER NOT WARNS THAT THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WILL DEGRADE OVER TIME. THE VAN IS IN MOTION ON A CITY.