Suzuki Grand Vitara And Kizashi Recalled In The U.S. Over Airbag Issue

Suzuki may no longer sell its cars in the United States, but it has just issued a recall for a number of Grand Vitara and Kizashi models.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 2006-2013 Grand Vitara and 2010-2013 Kizashi models feature a front-seat passenger sensor which may not accurately detect whether an adult or a child is using the seat.

The NHSTA asserts that the sensor could malfunction due to the leather seat upholstery of the Grand Vitara and Kizashi shrinking over time when exposed to high humidity and high temperatures. This could mean the front passenger-side airbag may deploy even if there is a child sitting there and not an adult.

A total of 31,302 Grand Vitara and Kizashi vehicles are affected by this recall.

To fix the issue, authorized Suzuki repair shops will replace the seat bottom cushion free of charge. Suzuki hasn’t said when it will start informing owners, but anyone who might own a Grand Vitara or Kizashi can head over to the NHTSA website and type in their car’s VIN to see if it requires repairs.

Suzuki abandoned the U.S. market in late 2012 despite the company selling a number of decent models. However, it was never able to sell its cars in the numbers required to compete with other players in the market, and its U.S. division eventually filed for bankruptcy. The company hasn’t announced any plans to return to the U.S., but some pundits are hopeful that the all-new Jimny could eventually be sold locally.