2004 SUZUKI XL-7 Air Bags Problems

ABOVE AREA WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO ENTER THE REST OF THE VIN. # ----X92V044100900? MAKE AND MODEL WAS NOT AVAILABLE ON THIS CHART? I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM SAID-BUSINESS OWNER OF B & R AUTO BODY AND REPAIR. THEY CLAIMED IT TO BE THEIR BUSINESS VEHICLE? I KNEW THERE WERE ISSUE AND I TOOK CARE OF THEM: BRAKES, WIND SHIELD SMALL STUFF-NO PROBLEM ON VEHICLE . WHEN I TOOK VEHICLE FOR STATE INSPECT IT FAILED DUE TO NO AIR BAG LIGHT SHOWING. I WAS AN ELECTRONIC TECH. FOR M1/BRADLY TANKS SO WAS COMFORTABLE TEARING DASH APART TO EXAMINE LIGHT FOR DAMAGES. WOULD HAVE FIXED IF NECESSARY? ONCE I GOT INSIDE I FINED SOMEONE HAD DELIBERATELY TAPED BLACK ELECTRIC TAPE OVER LIGHT SO IT WOULD NOT SHOW A DEFAULT BY CONSTANTLY STAYING ON. I TOOK TAPE OFF WITH TWEEZER-HAVE SPOKE TO STATE POLICE AND WANT TO FILE MORE CHARGES AGAINST PREVIOUS OWNER FOR RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT OF MY LIFE & OTHERS. THIS WAS A DELIBERATE ACT TO DEFRAUD/HURT SOMEONE? FINGER PRINTS ON TAPE WILL SAY WHO DID IT. MY SUSPICIONS IS BRIAN OWNER OF VEHICLE/BUSINESS. IF AIRBAGS ARE SO IMPORTANT TO MY VEHICLE AND ITS SAFETY-NOT WORKING CAUSES IT TO FAIL TEST-THEN TAMPERING WITH THE ELECTRONICS TO DEFRAUD SOMEONE SHOULD HOLD EQUAL OFFENSE IN STATE OF VA. OR ELSEWHERE. THIS MAN ENDANGERED MY LIFE!

GOING ON A SMALL TRIP, AND MY PASSENGER, A RATHER LARGE MAN, SAT IN PASS FRONT SEAT, AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD, AND THE CLOCK STARTED FLASHING. BROUGHT TO BRAINTREE TOYOTA, NEAREST DEALERSHIP THAT WORKED ON SUZUKIS, AND THEY WERE ABLE TO RECALIBRATE UNDER PASS SEAT, RESET, AND ALL WORKED UNTIL A FEW MONTHS LATER, WHEN THE SAME MAN SAT IN THE PASS SEAT, AND AGAIN, THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CLOCK FLASHED, AND HAS BEEN EVER SINCE. I HAVE BEEN LIVING WITH THIS PROBLEM NOW FOR ABOUT 3-4 YEARS AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PARTS TO REPLACE WOULD BE SENSORS AT A COST OF ABOUT 1500.00 TO ME, AT MASTRIA SUZUKI. *TR

Mileage: 80,000

AFTER A SNOW STORM WE GOT INTO OUR VEHICLE AND STARTED IT TO WARM IT UP. THE AIRBAG LIGHT WOULDN'T GO OFF AND THE DISPLAY ON THE STEREO FLASHED CONTINUOUSLY. FROM THIS POINT ON, THESE DISPLAYS CONTINUE TO STAY ON AT ALL TIMES. AFTER CHECKING WITH THE DEAL AND SUZUKI, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR IS BROKEN. IT CAN HAPPEN FROM SITTING THINGS ON THE SEAT OTHER THAN A PERSON, A HEAVY PERSON ON THE SEAT, NORMAL EVERY DAY USE, AND FINALLY THE COLD. I'M TOLD THE CONSEQUENCE OF THIS IS THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS OFF AND WILL REMAIN OFF FROM THAT POINT ON. THE ONLY FIX IS TO REPLACE THE SEAT WITH THE SENSOR WHICH CAN RANGE BETWEEN $2000 AND $1000 DEPENDING ON THE DEALER YOU TALK TOO. THERE IS NO EXPLANATION OF THE RADIO DISPLAY FLASHING OTHER THAN SOMEHOW THE ELECTRONICS ARE LINKED TOGETHER. I BELIEVE A RECALL SHOULD BE IN PLACE TO FIX THIS FAULTY SENSOR WITH AN EXTREMELY HIGH COST TO AN AVERAGE USER TO REPLACE AS IT RENDERS THE AIRBAG USELESS FOR THE PASSENGER OF THE VEHICLE. THERE IS NO COST EFFECTIVE WAY FOR THE CONSUMER TO FIX IT, IT REDUCES THE SAFETY OF THE PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE. I'VE READ MANY COMPLAINTS IN FORUMS ACROSS THE NET WITH THIS EXACT PROBLEM. IT REQUIRES ALSO THAT A LICENSED PROFESSIONAL BE USED TO FIX THE ISSUE WHICH INCREASES THE COST SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE CONSUMER. *TR

Mileage: 105,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUZUKI XL-7. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH AND NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT UNOCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000. UPDATED 01/07/14*LJ

Mileage: 52,000

OUR 2004 SUZUKI XL7 HAS RUN WONDERFULLY WITH FULL MAINTENANCE SINCE IT WAS NEW. HOWEVER JUST THIS LAST MONTH OUT OF NO WHERE FOR NO REASON THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASH DISPLAY CAME ON AND HAS BEEN ON SINCE. THE CLOCK FLASHES AND CAN NOT BE SET IT JUST FLASHES. THE CODES APPEAR TO SAY WE NEED TO PAY 2000 OR MORE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE SEAT. THIS APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT IN THE SENSOR FOR THE AIRBAG, WHICH SUZUKI DOESN'T FEEL THEY SHOULD REPLACE. WE'VE CONTACTED THEM AND WERE TOLD IT WAS NOT A DEFECT IT HAPPENED AFTER WARRANTY. *TR

Mileage: 105,000

I HAVE READ ABOUT THE RECALL ON SUZUKI VEHICLES DATED 09/17/2013 THAT ARE HAVING AN ISSUE WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR NOT KNOWING IF A CHILD OR AN ADULT IS ON THE SEAT, THERE FORE CAUSING THE BAG TO DEPLOY EVEN IF A SMALL CHILD IS IN THE SEAT. I HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH MY VEHICLE EXCEPT IT IS A 2004 MODEL WHICH DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL, THOUGH I DO NOT KNOW WHY. *TR

Mileage: 130,000

ENTERED VEHICLE TO GO TO SERVICE CENTER FOR OTHER SERVICE AND AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ON AND AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESET, SHUTTING VEHICLE OFF GETTING OUT AND RE-SEATING MY SELF THE SYSTEM REMAINS INOPERATIVE TO THIS DATE. CODE SCANNER SAYS PASSENGER SEAT MUST BE REPLACED TO REMEDY PROBLEM. COST OF PARTS $2500.00 PLUS LABOR. AFTER DISCUSSION WITH SEVERAL OTHER SUZUKI OWNERS WE FEEL THAT THIS IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM WITH THE SUZUKI AND SHOULD BE RESOLVED BY THE MANUFACTURER. IT IS NOT SAFE TO HAVE A VEHICLE WITHOUT THE AIR BAGS BEING OPERATIONAL. WE HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE 2004, IT WAS NEW. *TR

Mileage: 37,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUZUKI XL-7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT UNOCCUPIED. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER OR MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,400.

Mileage: 55,400

I STARTED MY CAR AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT WENT ON AND THE CLOCK IS BLINKING LOOKED ONLINE SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM IN ALMOST EVERY MAKE OF SUZUKI CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID ITS A COMMON PROBLEM BUT NOT COVERED WILL COST 2 GRAND FOR A NEW PASSENGER SEAT TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 88,000

ON A 2004 SUZUKI XL7 HAVING 140,000 MILES THE CLOCK/TEMP DISPLAY IS FLASHING AND AIRBAG LIGHT ON INSTRUMENT PANEL REMAINS ON. *TR

Mileage: 140,000

AIRBAG LIGHT STAY LIGHT AND CLOCK KEEPS FLASHING. *TR

Mileage: 223,000

AFTER REPLACING THE BATTERY, MY CLOCK STARTED FLASHING AND MY AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. NOTHING THAT HAS BEEN TRIED HAS REMEDIED EITHER PROBLEM. THERE IS NO SUZUKI DEALERSHIP IN MY AREA. I WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT IF I HAVE AN ACCIDENT, MY AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY OR WORK PROPERLY. *KB

Mileage: 100,000

AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON AND CLOCK STOPPED WORKING-MECHANIC STATED THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR IN THIS MODEL-THEY WANTED $100 TO PUT ON COMPUTER TO VERIFY AND IT WOULD BE $2000 TO REPAIR-IF GOV MANDATES AIR BAGS IN VEHICLES IT SHOULD MANDATE A RECALL IF THERE IS A KNOWN PROBLEM-I HAVE RESEARCHED AND OTHER XL-7 OWNERS HAVE SAME PROBLEM AROUND THE SAME MILEAGE-HE ALSO STATED THE AIR BAGS MAY NOT WORK IN A CRASH-I HAVE A 98 DODGE WITH AIR BAGS WITH OVER 125,000 MILES WITH NO PROBLEMS WITH SENSORS-IT WOULD BE NICE IF OUR GOV. WOULD STEP UP AND MAKE THE COMPANY REPAIR THIS PROBLEM DUE TO SAFETY-IF IT DEALT WITH THE ENGINE/BRAKES ETC. I WOULD NOT HAVE A PROBLEM BUT WHEN SOMEONE SITS ON A SENSOR AND THERE IS MALFUNCTION IT APPEARS TO BE DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT ON THEIR PART. *TR

Mileage: 58,150

ON A 2004 SUZUKI XL7 HAVING 58,000 MILES THE CLOCK/TEMP DISPLAY IS FLASHING AND AIRBAG LIGHT ON INSTRUMENT PANEL REMAINS ON. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT IS NOT LIT INDICATING THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS PORTION OF THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. THE SUZUKI DEALER INFORMED ME THAT BESIDES THE PASSENGER AIR BAG BEING NON-FUNCTIONAL AS LONG AS THE INSTRUMENT PANELS RED AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON THERE WILL BE NO DEPLOYMENT OF THE PASSENGER OR DRIVER AIR BAGS WHEN NEEDED. ESSENTIALLY, THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS DISABLED. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM FOR TWO REASONS: IT IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE FOR A 2004 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA / XL7 (AS SEEN BY THE MANY INTERNET POSTINGS ON THIS TOPIC) AND DUE TO THE SAFETY CONCERNS THAT ABSENCE OF AIRBAGS IN A CRASH CAN INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD OF INJURY OR DEATH. OTHER INTERNET POSTINGS SHOW THIS TO BE FROM CERTAIN LOADING CONDITIONS THAT MAY CAUSE THE FOUR WEIGHT SENSORS IN THE FRONT PASSENGERS SEAT TO SENSE UNEQUAL LOADING. IT IS INTERESTING THIS IS FROM UNEQUAL LOADING SENSOR MALFUNCTION BECAUSE FOR MOST OF CARS LIFE THERE HAS NOT BEEN AN OCCUPANT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. SUGGESTS THAT THIS COMPONENT WOULD HAVE FAILED SOONER HAD THERE BEEN A REGULAR FRONT SEAT PASSENGER.

Mileage: 58,000

2004 SUZUKI XL7 AIRBAG SYSTEM DISABLED DUE TO MALFUNCTION IN SENSOR IN PASSENGER SEAT. SUZUKI REFUSED TO HELP AND TOOK 20 DAYS TO REPLY. *TR

Mileage: 82,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUZUKI XL7. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS INSPECTED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT SENSOR WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 104,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 104,000

SEAT BELT LIGHT REMAINS ON, 2004 SUZUKI, XL-7, VIN [XXX]. AS I STARTED THE VEHICLE, I HAD A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT FASTEN HIS SEAT BELT. THE AIR BAG LIGHT IN THE DASH, REMAINED ON AND THE CLOCK STARTED FLASHING, (THE CLOCK IS ON THE SAME ELECTRIC CIRCUIT AS THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT/AIR BAG INDICATOR). AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG CIRCUIT WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF ALMOST $1800. THE CIRCUIT WAS AN INTEGRATED PART OF THE SEAT, THEREFORE THE ENTIRE SEAT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 55,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY. I AM NOT AWARE OF ANY SUCH AIR BAG SYSTEM FAILURE OF THIS TYPE ON ANY OTHER MAKE OF VEHICLE, REGARDLESS OF MODEL OR YEAR. I DID NOTE THAT THIS SAME TYPE OF FAILURE WAS REPORTED PREVIOUSLY TO NHTSA FOR THE EXACT SAME MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR SUZUKI VEHICLE. THE DEALER AND SUZUKI ARE UNWILLING TO COVER THE COST OF REPLACING THIS PART AND UNWILLING TO NEGOTIATE ON SHARING THE COST OF REPLACEMENT. I FIRMLY BELIEVE THIS REPRESENTS A CRITICAL SAFETY DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BY SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION, BEYOND 3 YEARS/36,000 MILES, IN A SIMILAR MANNER AS THE 100,000 MILE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. I FEEL IT SHOULD BE HANDLED SIMILAR TO OTHER SAFETY RECALLS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR

Mileage: 55,000

MY 2004 SUZUKI XL7 PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH INDICATING THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE SENSOR. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SUZUKI DEALER AND THEY WANTED ALMOST $2000.00 TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE PASSENGER AIR BAG SYSTEM. I CHECKED ONLINE FOR A POSSIBLE RECALL, BUT NO LUCK, HOWEVER I DISCOVERED THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE FOR A 2004 SUZUKI XL7. THE SUZUKI DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THE AIR BAGS WILL FUNCTION PROPERLY WHILE THE AIR BAG SENSOR IS MALFUNCTIONING. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM DUE TO THE SAFETY CONCERNS. SUZUKI SELLS A REPLACEMENT PART THAT CORRECTS THE PROBLEM KNOWING THEY SOLD A DEFECTIVE PART THAT MAY CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH IF THE AIR BAGS MALFUNCTION. *TR

Mileage: 56,622

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND CLOCK KEEPS FLASHING. SUZUKI SAYS IT IS A FAILED SENSOR UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT WHICH WOULD COST $1,000+ TO FIX. FAILURE TO FIX CAN CAUSE THE AIRBAG TO POSSIBLY NOT DEPLOY CORRECTLY. THIS SEEMS LIKE A HIGH-COST SAFETY FIX CONSIDERING NO CAR DAMAGE AND IT IS A FAILED COMPONENT. *TR

Mileage: 62,345

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON IN JULY 2010 FOR MY SUZUKI XL-7. CAR WAS TAKEN TO SUZUKI DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED PROBLEM (FOR $150) AS A DEFECTIVE AIRBAG SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE ($1,232). HOWEVER, DEALER DID NOT GUARANTEE THIS FIX WOULD SOLVE PROBLEM. MANY INTERNET COMMENTS DESCRIBE MANY OTHER SUZUKI VEHICLES EXPERIENCING THIS EXACT PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN MANIFESTING ITSELF OVER MANY YEARS. IN FACT, FOUR WHEELER MAGAZINE WROTE WHEN IT TESTED THE VEHICLE THAT IT EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. LETTER WAS SUBSEQUENTLY SENT TO SUZUKI MOTORS IN BREA CA IN JULY 2010 DESCRIBING PROBLEM AND ASKING FOR IT TO BE REPAIRED SINCE IT IS A KNOWN AND PUBLISHED SAFETY DEFECT. THEY RESPONDED VERBALLY AND STATED THAT THE DEALER HAD NOT PROPERLY DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED THE CAR AND ASKED ME TO RETURN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE SUZUKI FACTORY TECH WOULD HELP THEM FIX IT. I ARRIVED TO THE DEALER AND SUZUKI DEMANDED THAT I REPAY THE DIAGNOSIS FEE OF $150 EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM HAD ALREADY BEEN DIAGNOSED. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT AFFECTS THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE AND SUZUKI SHOULD RECALL THE VEHICLES AND REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 74,800

2007 SUZUKI XL-7 PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT STAYING ON AND CLOCK FLASHING. TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP WAS TOLD THE SENSOR IS UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT AND IT WOULD COST $1,700.00 TO FIX. BUT IF I DIDN'T FIX IT WOULD BE OK THE AIR BAG WOULD WORK. *TR

SUZUKI WILL NOT FIX UNDER WARRANTY . SUZUKI WANT CUSTOMERS TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR EVEN KNOWING THAT THIS IS A FAULT EQUIPMENT AND IS SAFETY RELATED. BELLOW IS THE INFORMATION THAT I GOT FROM A WEB SITE. WHERE OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. TSB NO. TS 02 12144R -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DSHANE01, HERE'S A LINK TECHNICAL BULLETIN FOR SUZUKI XL-7 AND THERE IS NO RECALL INFORMATION AT HOME | NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION(NHTSA) | U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION IT SEEMS TO ME THIS WOULD INVOLVE A RECALL OR FREE FIX SINCE ITS A SAFETY ISSUE. TSB NO. TS 02 12144R DIVISION: AUTOMOTIVE SECTION TITLE: RESTRAINTS CATEGORY: TECHNICAL SUBJECT: ?AIRBAG? LIGHT ON AND CLOCK/TEMP DISPLAY FLASHES MODEL(S): GRAND VITARA XL-7 YEAR: 2004 CONDITION: CLOCK/TEMP DISPLAY FLASHING AND ?AIRBAG? LIGHT ALWAYS ON. CODES B1019 STORED IN SDM AND B1207 STORED IN OCM AND CODE B1155 STORED IN THE BCM CAUSE: CERTAIN LOADING CONDITIONS MAY CAUSE THE FOUR WEIGHT SENSORS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER?S SEAT TO SENSE UNEQUAL LOADING. THIS UNEQUAL LOADING CAUSES AN ERROR IN THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION MODULE (OCM) WHICH WILL SET A CODE OR CODES. CORRECTION: A NEW ADJUSTER SET FRONT RIGHT (86605-53JA1) IS NOW AVAILABLE. THIS SET INCLUDES NEW UPDATED SENSORS AND UPDATED OCM TO CORRECTLY CALCULATE WEIGHT ON THE SEAT EVEN IF THERE IS UNEQUAL LOADING. PLEASE FOLLOW THE APPROPRIATE SERVICE MANUAL PROCEDURE FOR REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION. REVISION: THE ADJUSTER SET FRONT SEAT INCLUDES THE OCM AND WEIGHT SENSORS AND THEY ARE A MATCHED SET TO THE TRACK ASSEMBLY. NO OTHER PARTS ARE REQUIRED FOR THIS REPAIR. NOR WILL WARRANTY REIMBURSE FOR ANY OTHER PARTS CLAIMED FOR THIS REPAIR. WARNING: THE OCM AND SEAT TRACK ARE A MATCHED SET. DO NOT SEPARATE THEM AT ANY TIME. DO NOT ORDER PARTS SEPARATELY. THIS REPAIR IS TO BE DONE ONLY WITH LISTED PART NUMBER BELOW. *TR

Mileage: 58,200

ACCIDENTAL EMERGENCY BRAKE ACTIVATION. ONLY ONE WHEEL LOCKED UP THAT ON PASSENGER SIDE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL INTO A GUARDRAIL. ALSO, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND SEATBELT RESTRAINTS ALLOWED UPPER BODY TO MOVE FREELY INTO INTERIOR COMPONENTS. *TR

Mileage: 48,500

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUZUKI XL-7. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AT RANDOM. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOP WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE AT ALL TIMES. THE MECHANIC INFORMED HER THAT THE AIR BAG SENSORS FAILED. SHE BELIEVES THAT THE FAILURE SHOULD BE RECALLED BECAUSE SHE CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,000. UPDATED 6/16/08 *CN UPDATED 06/16/08. *JB

Mileage: 36,000

THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. CALLED HERTZ THROUGH WHOM WE HAVE A MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT FOR OIL CHANGES AND SUCH. HERTZ SCHEDULED US IN RIGHT AWAY BECAUSE IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. HERTZ TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL SUZUKI DEALERSHIP, JIM SMOLICH MOTORS. JSM TOLD HERTZ THAT THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WAS GROUNDING OUT AND THAT IT WAS A KNOWN ISSUE. AIR BAGS CAN DEPLOY AT WILL WITH THIS PROBLEM. JSM TRIED TO CONTACT SUZUKI NA TO SEE IF THEY WOULD COVER A KNOWN ISSUE SINCE VEHICLE WARRANTY OUT 5,000 MILES. JSM CONTACTED HERTZ AND LET THEM KNOW THAT THIS WOULD NOT BE COVERED. HERTZ TOLD ME. ALSO TO ASK HOW TO PROCEED AS THIS WILL COST $1,500. I CONTACTED JSM, GOT VOICEMAIL SO I CALLED SUZUKI NA. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO THE CSR. SHE CONTACTED THE DISTRICT SERVICE MANAGER CHRIS WHO WAS GOING TO JSM WHO SEEMED UNAWARE OF THE SITUATION UP TILL THAT POINT. HE SAID HE WOULD REVIEW THE SITUATION AND MAKE A DECISION. I CALLED JSM, SPOKE TO CRAIG, SERVICE ADVISOR. CRAIG TOLD ME THAT ''A DEALERSHIP WILL USUALLY SHOW GOOD FAITH AND DO A REPAIR SUCH AS THAT OUT OF WARRANTY BUT SINCE I DIDN'T BUY MY CAR AT THEIR DEALERSHIP THEY WERE NOT GOING TO EAT IT. I TOLD HIM IT WASN'T ABOUT HIS DEALERSHIP IT WAS ABOUT A KNOWN ISSUE NOT BEING DEALT WITH AND THAT CHRIS WAS UNAWARE OF MY ISSUE. HE SAID HE WOULD MAKE SURE THAT CHRIS HAD BEEN TOLD ABOUT IT BUT HE KNEW THEY HAD BEEN WORKING WITH SUZUKI ON MY ISSUE AND SUZUKI DENIED MY ISSUE SINCE MY CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I TOLD HIM IT WASN'T ABOUT THE WARRANTY, IT WAS ABOUT A KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE GOING UN-ADDRESSED. HE SAID ANY CAR THAT BREAKS DOWN COULD BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT THINGS WEAR OUT. WAS HE SERIOUSLY COMPARING AN AIRBAG DEPLOYING AT WILL TO AN ENGINE BURNING UP BECAUSE SOMEONE DIDN'T PUT OIL IN IT, OR A WATER PUMP GOING OUT? HOW MANY CAR ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS ARE CAUSED BY A BAD BATTERY OR ALTERNATOR? ASKED SUZUKI CSR IF I NEEDED TO GET THE CAR BACK, DRIVE IT, AND LET THE AIRBAG DEPLOY IN ORDER TO GET RESOLUTION IN THIS MATTER WITH A LAWSUIT. *JB

Mileage: 41,800

DT: THE AIR BAG LIGHT BEGAN COMING ON ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO. ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYED ON. TODAY WAS THE FOURTH TIME THAT CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALER TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT THAT CAUSED THIS LIGHT TO GO OFF FOR A FEW DAYS. THE DIGITAL CLOCK ALSO BEGINS TO FLASH. OWNER WAS TOLD THAT THE AIRBAG COULD DEPLOY WITHOUT IMPACT OR NOT DEPLOY WHEN NEEDED. DEALERSHIP WAS COOPERATING WITH NOT CHARGING FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE SEAT OR DIAGNOSTIC.*AK

Mileage: 17,000

UNSURE OF EXACT DATE - NOT ALL THAT IMPORTANT. MY FRIEND SAT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OF MY 2004 SUZUKI XL7. AFTER STARTING OUT DRIVING, I NOTICED THAT MY AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON, AND MY CLOCK WAS FLASHING. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL SUZUKI DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THAT BECAUSE THE FRONT PASSENGER WEIGHED OVER APPROXIMATELY 225 POUNDS, THAT THE SENSOR IN THE ADVANCED AIR BAG SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE RESET. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT, AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. DEALERSHIP ALSO STATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH OTHER MAKES/MODELS OF VEHICLES, AND IT NOT ONLY EFFECTS SUZUKI, BUT OTHERS AS WELL. THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN AS THERE ARE MANY TIMES THAT I WILL HAVE SOMEONE OVER APPROX. 225 POUNDS SITTING IN MY VEHICLE. AM I SUPPOSE TO GO TO THE DEALERSHIP ONCE A WEEK TO GET THIS SENSOR RESET? PLEASE ADVISE AS TO THE ISSUE AND CORRECTIONS THAT ARE BEING TAKEN. *AK

Mileage: 7,500

UNSURE OF EXACT DATE - NOT ALL THAT IMPORTANT. MY FRIEND SAT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OF MY 2004 SUZUKI XL7. AFTER STARTING OUT DRIVING, I NOTICED THAT MY AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON, AND MY CLOCK WAS FLASHING. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL SUZUKI DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THAT BECAUSE THE FRONT PASSENGER WEIGHED OVER APPROXIMATELY 225 POUNDS, THAT THE SENSOR IN THE ADVANCED AIR BAG SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE RESET. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT, AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. DEALERSHIP ALSO STATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH OTHER MAKES/MODELS OF VEHICLES, AND IT NOT ONLY EFFECTS SUZUKI, BUT OTHERS AS WELL. THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN AS THERE ARE MANY TIMES THAT I WILL HAVE SOMEONE OVER APPROX. 225 POUNDS SITTING IN MY VEHICLE. AM I SUPPOSE TO GO TO THE DEALERSHIP ONCE A WEEK TO GET THIS SENSOR RESET? PLEASE ADVISE AS TO THE ISSUE AND CORRECTIONS THAT ARE BEING TAKEN. *AK

Mileage: 7,500