Suzuki recalls 193, 936 Grand Vitara, SX4 Vehicles

                        Suzuki Motor of America is recalling 193, 936 2207-'11 Suzuki SX4 and 2006-11 Suzuki Grand Vitara vehicles because the front airbag may deploy even if a child is sitting in the passenger seat, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In the affected vehicles, overtime, the occupant classification sensor mat installed in the front passenger seat may fail due to repeated flexing of the mat from use of the seat," said NHTSA in its summary of the problem. As a result, during a crash necessitating deployment, the airbag will deploy regardless of whether the front seat occupant is an adult or a child.

                         Airbag deployment with a child in the front passenger side seat increases the risk of injury to that child. NHTSA said vehicles that previously had a countermeasure occupant classification system (OCS) sensor mat installed under the special coverage campaign conducted by Suzuki distributors in the U.S. are not affected by this recall. There have been no reports of accidents or injuries due to the defect, the company said. Suzuki dealers will replace the front passenger seat cushion assembly, including the occupant classification sensor mat. The recall notification is expected to begin in October.
                   
                            Sensor mats measure passengers weight and determine if the air bag should deploy, determining who sits in the seat is important because the force of an air bag can injure children or small adults. Suzuki says the mats can stop working after repeated flexing. If that happens, the bag will deploy even if a small person is in the seat. The Japanese automaker says there are no reports of accidents or injuries due to the problem. Suzuki will notify owners starting next month. Dealers will replace the mats for free.