Air Bag Sensor Problems Leads to Suzuki Grand Vitara and SX4 Recall

Suzuki Motors of America is recalling almost 200,000 vehicles because the air bag sensor mat could fail after repeated flexing and use, posing a risk of injury for children or small individuals riding in the front passenger seat.

The Suzuki Grand Vitara and SX4 recall (PDF) was announced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on September 5, after the manufacturer recognized the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor mat may fail to distinguish the difference between an adult and a child occupying the seat.

Failure of the OCS system will also allow the airbag in the passenger seat to deploy even when the airbag is turned off, posing increased risk of neck and head injuries to children riding in the seats.

The recalled models contain an OCS sensor mat that is installed under the passenger seat that is programmed to differentiate between adults and children occupying the seats. The OCS system may fail to recognize the weight and could deploy upon frontal impact with a child in the seat when the electrical circuit has disconnected. The electrical circuit may become disconnected over time due to repeated flexing of the seat.

The recall includes 2006 through 2011 Suzuki JB series Grand Vitara vehicles manufactured before April 27, 2011 and all 2007 through 2011 RW series SX4 models manufactured prior to May 11, 2011.

Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. has initiated its notification process to warn all known dealers of the passenger seat OCS issue and how to fix it. Suzuki also announced it will be sending a notification letter to all owners with instructions to contact their local dealers to have the OCS sensor matt replaced free of charge. Owners with further inquiry are encouraged to contact Suzuki at 1-800255-2550 and reference the recall campaign code “VD”.