Kerala Consumer Panel Orders Maruti Suzuki to Pay Rs 4.1 Lakh Over Airbag Failure
A consumer commission in Kerala has directed Maruti Suzuki India to pay a total of Rs 4.1 lakh to a customer whose car’s airbags failed to deploy during a collision with an ambulance. The commission observed that the non-deployment amounted to a “total failure of engineering”.
The bench, comprising President Krishnan K and member Beena K G, noted that when a consumer buys a car equipped with airbags, they have a reasonable expectation that the airbags will automatically deploy in the event of a collision. The commission stated, “It is not advisable to order replacement of the vehicle. The Commission finds that the complainant is entitled to a reasonable amount of Rs 3 lakh on account of non-deployment of safety airbags.” An additional Rs 1.10 lakh was awarded for mental agony, inconvenience, and litigation costs.
The complainant stated that he and his brother-in-law were travelling in the car when it collided with an ambulance. Although both occupants escaped without injuries, the front portion of the car sustained extensive damage. The complainant alleged that despite the severity of the collision, the airbags failed to deploy. He argued that the car was sold with the promise of safety, and moved the consumer commission seeking a new vehicle of the same price or a refund of Rs 10 lakh, along with Rs 5 lakh as compensation.
Maruti Suzuki contested the complaint, denying any manufacturing defect or defect in the airbag system. The company maintained that the accident involved a side impact rather than a severe frontal collision and that an inspection revealed no abnormality in the airbag mechanism. It argued that the impact was insufficient to trigger the sensors for airbag deployment.
After examining the evidence, the commission noted that Maruti Suzuki’s own witness admitted that the airbags had not deployed. The commission held that the impact cannot be considered non-serious, given the extent of damage. “The contention of the manufacturer that in a non-severe collision the safety airbags would not deploy is not acceptable,” the order read. The commission concluded that the non-deployment was due to a defective SRS control module or impact sensors.
Highlighting the importance of airbags, the commission stated, “The airbags are meant to protect the driver and passengers from severe injuries in a frontal or side collision. They are designed to provide protection in addition to seat-belts. In this case, the non-functioning of the airbags is a total failure of engineering which could be more fatal.”
Since the car had been in use for over three years, the commission deemed replacement inappropriate and instead directed Maruti Suzuki to pay the compensation within 30 days. For consumer-related grievances, individuals may contact their state consumer helpline or the National Consumer Helpline at 1915.
