Interpretation ID: nht92-8.20

DATE: March 24, 1992

FROM: Tm Kozy -- Marketing Director, Infini Med

TO: Office of the Chief Council, NHTSA

TITLE: None

ATTACHMT: Attached to letter dated 5/5/92 from Paul J. Rice to Tm Kozy (A39; Std. 208; VSA 108 (a)(2)(A))

TEXT:

I have a question regarding the use of adaptive aids (hand controls) in cars equipped with air bags. Is it illegal to install a hand control unit that is drilled into the steering column that, according to a bulletin issued by Chrysler Corporation referring to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 208, voids the warranty on the air bag as it may render the system inoperative?

On the same subject, I need to know if such a unit were installed on an air bag equipped vehicle, and that same vehicle is resold in, say a year or two, is the seller required by law to notify the next buyer that the warranty on the airbag system has been voided, even though the controls may now have been removed?

We need to know the answers to these questions from a marketing standpoint, and also because I use hand controls myself.

Thank you for any help you can give us regarding this matter.