Nissan has recalled over 200,000 of its 2007 and 2008 Nissan Altima, Nissan 350Z, Nissan Murano, Nissan Rogue, Infiniti G35, Infiniti G37 and Infiniti EX35 vehicles for a safety defect in their advanced air bag systems.  The safety recall stems from a manufacturing defect (out-of-spec varistor) within the Occupant Classification System (OCS) manufactured by Continental Automotive Systems.

The OCS is part of the advanced air bag system, and is intended to help the system decide whether to deploy the air bags, and if so, with how much force they should deploy.

In some situations, the defect will cause an interruption of the signal between the OCS and the airbag control unit (ACU).  When that happens, the safety flaw can prevent air bag deployment in a crash when you need it most.

The government’s recall number is 08V-521.

Hyundai is recalling nearly 400,000 Hyundai Sonata vehicles from the 2006 to 2008 model years for defects in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) in the front passenger seat.  The OCS is intended to suppress airbag deployment in a crash if it determines that a small child is in the front passenger seat.  However, this safety defect also shuts off the airbag system if a small stature adult is sitting in that seat.  If that happens, airbag deployment will not occur for the adult, which could cause significant personal injuries or a wrongful death.

The government’s recall number is 08V-161.