ON CERTAIN PASSENGER CARS, THE DUAL STAGE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYS IN AN IMPROPER SEQUENCE

Oct 29, 2003 — Recall Campaign #03V426000

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER CARS, THE DUAL STAGE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYS IN AN IMPROPER SEQUENCE.

The recall was influenced by the manufacturer with about 7,797 units affected.

NHTSA Safety Recall Notice

03V426000

Manufacturer:	Suzuki Motor USA, LLC
Recall date:	October 29, 2003
NHTSA Campaign #:	03V426000
Units affected:	7,797

Description:: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER CARS, THE DUAL STAGE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYS IN AN IMPROPER SEQUENCE.
Consequeces:: IF THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYS IMPROPERLY DURING A FRONTAL VEHICLE CRASH, THE DRIVER COULD BE SEVERELY INJURED OR KILLED.
Corrective action:: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADAPTING WIRING HARNESS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 30, 2003, TO VERONA VEHICLE OWNERS. ALL FORENZA VEHICLES WERE REPAIRED AT THE PORT OF ENTRY. THERE ARE NO OWNER NOTIFICATIONS NECESSARY FOR THE FORENZA MODEL VEHICLES. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.
Notes:: SUZUKI RECALL NO. KB.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Affects the following:

2004 SUZUKI FORENZA Complaints
I OWN A 2004 SUZUKI FORENZA AND THIS CAR IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM. IT OVER HEATS EVERYONE I DRIVE IT WHICH IS DAILY. IT STARTS ONLY WHEN THE MOTOR IS SOMEWHAT COOL. THIS CAT HAS LEFT ME STRANDED MANY TIMES. LIKE AT THE MOMENT THE CAR HAS OVER HEATED AND I'M PULLED OFF THE SIDE OF HWY 26 HEADING TO PORTLAND. I HAVE TAKEN THIS CAT TO MY MECHANIC SEVERAL TIMES AND UPON ITS RETURN WITHIN DAYS THE CAR IS DOING THE SAME THING. THE STEERING IS A MESS. THE CAR IS ALL OVER THE ROAD I'VE TAKEN IT TO LESSCHWAB 4 TIMES GOTTEN TWO ALIGNMENTS WITHIN A 2 MONTH PERIOD AND STILL CAR DOESN'T DRIVE RIGHT. I'VE REPLACED THE HEAD GASKET,,STARTER,BATTERY,TIRES, THE LIST GOES ON AND ON. THIS IS NOT AD DEPENDABLE CAR. I'M 60 MILES FROM HOME AND WONDERING HOW I'M GONNA GET BACK HOME. THANK YOU SUZUKI;
2004 SUZUKI VERONA Complaints
The contact's fiancé owns a 2004 Suzuki Verona. The contact stated that on multiple occasions after starting the vehicle, the engine was lagging and then revved inadvertently. The contact also stated that while driving at various speeds and coming to a stop at a red light or stop sign, the vehicle stalled and lost motive power on multiple occasions. The vehicle was able to be restarted. Additionally, the contact stated that the driver's seat belt failed to latch, and the front passenger’s side seat belt locked without movement. The check engine, air bag, seat belt, and oil warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the timing chain and lifters needed to be replaced. The mechanic was unable to duplicate the additional failures. The vehicle was then taken to another independent mechanic, where a diagnostic tool retrieved various failure codes for unknown sensors and failure with the engine. The contact made a local dealer aware of the failures and the dealer confirmed there was no related recalls for the VIN. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,500.;