NHTSA Complaint #11309947 — 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ AMG E55

MY VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING AN SRS WARNING LIGHT THAT THE DEALERSHIP, MERCEDES BENZ OF SOUTH BAY, DIAGNOSED AS BEING A PASSENGER SEAT WEIGHT SENSOR FAILURE. THEY ADVISED THAT THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE ON THESE MODELS, WHICH UPON SEARCHING THE INTERNET I BELIEVE IS THE CASE, AND QUOTED ME OVER $4,000 FOR THE REPAIR. THIS FAILURE TURNS OFF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG UNLESS THE REPAIR IS PERFORMED. MY UNDERSTANDING, HAVING PREVIOUSLY WORKING FOR ANOTHER OEM FOR 15 YEARS, WAS THAT AIRBAGS AND THEIR ASSOCIATED PARTS SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. IT APPEARS THAT THIS FAILURE IS SO COMMON WORLDWIDE THAT AFTERMARKET COMPANIES SELL "EMULATOR" KITS THAT TURN OFF THE LIGHT AND MAKE THE AIRBAG FUNCTIONAL FOR APPROXIMATELY $100. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DESIGN FAILURE OF A CRUCIAL SAFETY COMPONENT AND SHOULD REPLACED BY THE MANUFACTURER AT NO COST TO CONSUMERS.