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ON-OFF Switch
This section contains FAQs for those interested in an air bag ON-OFF switch installed aftermarket, not as original equipment.
1. What is an air bag ON-OFF switch? An air bag ON-OFF switch allows either the driver or passenger frontal air bag in passenger cars and light trucks to be turned on and off in appropriate circumstances. Only authorized dealers and repair shops can install ON-OFF switches and can do so only with an authorization letter from NHTSA. Vehicle owners can get this authorization letter by filling out a request form (Request for Air Bag On-Off Switch pdf) and sending it to the agency. ON-OFF switch requests will be approved until September 1, 2012. 2. Who can get an air bag ON-OFF switch? Vehicle owners can get air bag ON-OFF switches installed for one or both of the frontal air bags in their vehicles if they, or users of their vehicle, fall into one or more of the four specific risk groups below:
3. How do I get an air bag ON-OFF switch? If you are interested in having an air bag ON-OFF switch installed in a vehicle you own or lease (check with the leasing company first to see if installing an ON-OFF switch would violate the terms of your lease), you will need to:
4. What if an air bag ON-OFF switch is not available? If the manufacturer of your vehicle does not make an air bag ON-OFF switch for your model, check with a dealer or repair shop to see whether an aftermarket company makes a switch. If there is an aftermarket switch for your model, a dealer or repair shop can install it for you. Note that there are Federal requirements governing ON-OFF switches. For example, they must be operated by a key and be equipped with warning lights to indicate when an air bag has been switched off. 5. Can consumers get their air bags deactivated instead of installing an air bag ON-OFF switch? Generally, no. If an air bag ON-OFF switch is available from the vehicle manufacturer for a particular vehicle, eligible consumers desiring to disable their air bags must have an ON-OFF switch installed. A dealer or repair shop cannot simply deactivate (or disconnect) the air bags. If an ON-OFF switch is not available from the vehicle manufacturer for a particular vehicle, NHTSA will authorize air bag deactivation on a case-by-case basis under certain circumstances. If an ON-OFF switch is available only from an aftermarket company, NHTSA still will authorize air bag deactivation for eligible people (see Air Bag Deactivation). 6. Where can I go to see NHTSA's final rule on air bag ON-OFF switches? The final rule for air bag ON-OFF switches can be viewed at the DOT's docket (http://dms.dot.gov/). Search on docket #3111 or for document #NHTSA-1997-3111-1. See section VIII on Agency Decision to Issue Exemptions Authorizing Installation of Retrofit ON-OFF Switches and section IX on Implementation of Agency Decision, Part B.
7. How can I find an ON/OFF switch installer? For a list of installers, please search our database. |