NHTSA Complaint #11439686 — 2011 INFINITI M37

The Air Bag Warning Light on the dash blinks continuously and the Front Passenger Air Bag Status Light remains on whether or not the seat is occupied. I took the car to the Infiniti dealer. The Service Advisor said the Occupant Classification System Control Unit or OCS sensor needs to be replaced but Infiniti no longer provides this part; and furthermore, Infiniti advises against owner replacing the unit with a used part. I asked the Service Adviser what solution does Infiniti suggest and he said Infiniti does not suggest any solution. I contacted Infiniti Consumer Affairs Department. The Infiniti representative said the vehicle is more than 10 years old and Infiniti no longer manufactures the part; therefore, there is nothing they can do. I then asked the Infiniti Consumer Affairs Department what will happen in a situation where the airbags would normally be deployed considering the airbag warning light continues to blink and the “PASS AIR BAG” “2 OFF” is lit? I was told to ask to contact the dealer for their response. I wanted a response from Infiniti proper, the manufacturer, so I asked again. And again they said to contact the dealer. The dealer said all the airbags would be deployed at the same time and that there was no safety issue. Quoting from an Infiniti Service Bulletin Owner's Letter in the past: "If the red air bag warning light in your vehicle continuously flashes after the vehicle is started, please take your vehicle to the dealership as soon as possible. In the interim do not allow passengers to ride in the passenger seat. If the dealer fails, or is unable to make the necessary repairs free of charge, you may contact the National Consumer Affairs Department, Infiniti Division, Nissan North America, Inc., P.O. Box 685003, Franklin, TN 37068-5003. The toll free number is 1-800-662-6200. You may also contact the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration..." Infiniti admitted this is a safety issue.