NHTSA Complaint #729460 — 2000 SAAB 9-3

THE IGNITION SWITCH IS LOCATED IN THE CENTER CONSOLE OF THE VEHICLE. A CHILD, KNEELING IN THE PASENGER SEAT (NO ONE ELSE WAS INVEHICLE) TURNED THE IGNITION SWITCH ON, THE CAR STARTED IN REVERSE AND JERK BACKWORDS TROWING THE CHILD FROM THE VEHICLE, HITTING HIM WITH THE PASSENGER DOOR, HITTING THE GARAGE IN WHICH IT WAS HOUSED, AND PROCEEDED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY AND INTO ACROSS THE YARD HITTING A TREE AND ENDING UP IN THE BRUSH. THE IGNITION SWITCH IS LOCATED IN THE CENTER CONSOLE, WHICH IS ACCESSIBLE FROM ALL FRONT AND REAR SEATS. WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY THE DEALER THE CAR HAS NO SAFETY DEVICE PREVENTING THE CAR FROM STARTING IN GEAR. THERE IS EVIDENTLY NO SAFTEY SWITCH REQUIREING THE CLUTCH TO BE DEPRESSED OR ANY OTHER MEANS OF STOPPING THE CAR FROM STARTING IN GEAR AND TAKING OFF CAUSING UNTHINKABLE DAMAGE TO PEOPLE AND PROPERTY. I THOUGHT THERE HAD TO BE A SAFETY SWITCH ON THE CLUTCH FOR CARS BUILT IN THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS. PLEASE ADVISE ME IF THERE IS ANY SUCH REQUIREMENT IN EFFECT. ALSO, IF NO REQUIREMENT IS IN EFFECT, PLEASE ADVISE ME AS TO HOW I CAN HELP TO GET ONE LEGISLATED. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHERE ANY CHILD IN THE BACK SEAT CAN REACH OVER TO THE CENTER CONSOLE AND START A SAAB IN REVERSE. THANKS YOU YOUR ASSISTANCE.