Air bags: on-off switch assembly
- Component
- Air bags: on-off switch assembly
- Manufacturer
- FERRARI NORTH AMERICA INC
- Vehicles affected
- 110
- Reported to NHTSA
- 2005-01-24
- Owners notified
- 2005-10-31
Defect description
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE A NON-FUNCTIONING BUTTON WITH THE WORDS "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" ETCHED INTO IT. THIS BUTTON IS LOCATED, ALONG WITH AN LED LIGHT, ON A CONSOLE ADJACENT TO THE SUN ROOF. THIS NON-FUNCTIONING BUTTON DOES NOT DEACTIVATE THE PASSENGER -SIDE AIR BAG, NOR IS THE LED LIGHT AN INDICATION THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG HAS BEEN DEACTIVATED. THE BUTTON IS NON-FUNCTIONAL AND CANNOT BE DEPRESSED WHEN PUSHED.
Safety risk
THE PLACEMENT OF INFANTS AND SMALL CHILDREN IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH IN WHICH THE PASSENGER-SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYS.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CONSOLE WITH ONE WHICH DOES NOT CONTAIN THE NON-FUNCTIONING BUTTON AND LED LIGHT FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM LETTER WAS SENT TO OWNERS ON FEBRUARY 28, 2005. AN ADDITIONAL LETTER WAS SENT TO OWNERS ON OCTOBER 31, 2005, ADVISING OWNERS THAT PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FERRARI AT 1-201-816-2706.