Recent consumer court rulings in favor of customers have brought attention to vehicle safety concerns, with the latest case emerging from Kerala’s Malappuram district. The Malappuram District Consumer Commission has directed Maruti Suzuki, India’s largest car manufacturer, to refund the purchase price of a vehicle after its airbags failed to deploy during an accident.
The incident occurred three years ago, involving Mohammed Musliar, a resident of the Indianoor region in Malappuram. Musliar sustained serious injuries in the crash as the airbags remained inactive, despite the severity of the collision. Following the accident, Musliar approached the consumer court, attributing his injuries to the manufacturer’s negligence in ensuring airbag deployment.
After thorough examination of the evidence presented by Musliar, the Malappuram District Consumer Commission ruled in his favor, ordering Maruti Suzuki to refund Rs 4,35,854, the vehicle’s price, along with an additional Rs 20,000 for litigation costs. Failure to comply with this directive within a month will incur a 9 percent interest penalty on the specified amount.
While details regarding Musliar’s attempts to resolve the issue with the dealership or the manufacturer prior to legal recourse remain undisclosed, the case highlights a recurring pattern of consumers seeking legal redress for defective vehicles. Past incidents have underscored instances where cars were sold with defects, prompting affected customers to seek judicial intervention.
Despite lacking specifics regarding the vehicle model or accident circumstances in Musliar’s case, it raises broader concerns regarding airbag functionality and vehicle safety standards. While airbags are designed to deploy under specific conditions, factors such as seat belt usage and aftermarket modifications can influence their effectiveness.
Modern airbag systems rely on sensors and components to detect and respond to crash events. Malfunctions or interference from aftermarket accessories like bull bars and metal bumpers may compromise their operation, potentially endangering occupants during collisions.
The ruling serves as a reminder for automakers to prioritize safety and accountability in vehicle manufacturing, ensuring that essential safety features function as intended to protect consumers on the road.
