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UPDATE: Airbag Sensor Flaw Prompts Suzuki Recall

Suzuki Motor Corp. plans to recall 193,900 cars and small SUVs in the U.S. to replace an airbag sensor mat that could allow the passenger airbag to deploy when it shouldn't.
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Suzuki Motor Corp. plans to recall 193,900 cars and small SUVs in the U.S. to replace an airbag sensor mat that could allow the passenger airbag to deploy when it shouldn't.

The mat, which is embedded in the seat cushion, is supposed to determine if the occupant weighs enough to trigger the airbag in a crash. The system is intended to prevent the airbag from deploying if a child occupies the seat.

But the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says the sensor can fail after repeated flexing, thus allowing the airbag to inflate regardless of the occupant's weight.

The recall covers 2006-2011 model Suzuki Grand Vitara compact SUVs and 2007-2011 model Suzuki SX4 cars. Suzuki reports more than 70 sensor failures but no injuries.

Because of a shortage of parts, the company will alert owners next month about the problem and ask them to bring in their vehicles only if their airbag warning light is illuminated.

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