Despite being defunct in the U.S., Suzuki is calling back roughly 194,000 Grand Vitara and SX4 vehicles because of a potential problem with passenger-seat airbag deployment.
Model year 2006 to 2011 Grand Vitaras and 2007 to 2011 SX4s are affected by the problem, which pertains to the failure of the occupant detection mat installed in the passenger seat. Over time, the mat can become inactive which will cause the airbag to deploy in a collision regardless of whether the front-seat passenger is an adult or a child.
This isn’t a new issue, as Suzuki has already issued technical service bulletins (TSB) for two separate airbag problems in the past, along with providing an extended warranty for the occupant detection mat; 10 years or 120,000 miles.
Suzuki says that it currently does not have a sufficient quantity of parts to fix all of the recalled vehicles, though owners will be notified when they become available. The brand will replace the front seat cushion assembly free of charge. For more information, contact Suzuki at (800) 255-2550.