Date: Thu, 06 Jul 2000 01:01:50 +1000 From: Peter Wilkins <wilkinspnopsamnet.au> Subject: PennyPinching - Unsafe Saab 9-5SE
I am flabbergasted, and very, very angry. For the first time since I have had my 9-5SE (2 years) I have just carried a passenger in my front seat who didn't do up his seat belt. I didn't notice for 50 Km or so, then when I did notice, I thought there must be a fault in the seat belt indicator light which is supposed to come on when either the driver or front passenger fails to do up their seat belt. I unclicked my belt, the light came on, so I thought it was just the passenger side faulty. I duly reported the fault to my Saab dealer, who said the safety belt alarm was not fitted for the front passenger!!!!!!!!! I re-checked my handbook. Quite clearly, it is supposed to be. I looked at the passenger seat. No, it's not fitted, and there is no provision whatsoever for me to add it! Jesus Christ, I can't believe this. This was the top of the line model when I bought it, and it cost me $A75000. I have had many Saabs over the last 20 years, and they have always had the safety belt alarm for the front passenger. How can they delete such a safety feature without telling the customer, and worse, still say it is there in the handbook? I wonder about the legal aspects. It is an offence here not to have your seat belt done up. Even many of the cheapest Korean or Taiwanese cars have the alarm fitted - shouldn't it also be required by law? And if a passenger was fined for not having his belt done up, couldn't he sue Saab and win damages? Also, I would think if a front seat passenger was seriously injured in an accident because their seat belt was not done up, Saab must be liable for millions in damages - for saying there was an alarm fitted but not fitting it. If I was their solicitors, I would be advising an immediate recall to fit the missing alarm, or at the very least, insisting that a notice be sent out to all owners advising that the handbook is wrong and the alarm is not fitted. And Saab claim to have the safest car, and to be the most safety conscious car maker? I can't believe their claims after this experience. I wonder what other safety shortcuts they have made to save a few pennies? I am about to write to Saab to seek answers to those questions, but before I do would like some confirmation from other countries. Is it just in Australia that they have cheated on this, or is it not fitted elsewhere as well? And what do you other Saab users think of this misrepresentation by Saab? -- Regards, Peter Wilkins (wilkinspnopsamnet.au)
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