New Focus van question

mick4_2000

Ok so I got a new work focus van via Leaseplan great nice to have. One issue I have is I sometimes need to drop my toddler to crèche but it doesn't have the switch to turn off the passenger airbag. The last few car vans were Auris, Astra and an older focus van all had it. I called ford and they want €550 to fit the switch.

In my mind this should not be an optional extra but standard. Does anyone know if this is the case?

Thanks

Mike

colm_mcm

Its either standard or it isn’t. It’s not a requirement for a car to have it, and it’s understandable that a commercial vehicle wouldn’t have it standard.

There’s cars from 15 years ago that had this, so it’s a bit bizzare alright.

Is it required to turn off the airbag for a toddler? Serious question. I know for rear facing seats you turn it off, but for a forward facing?

martinr5232

Price sounds a bit extreme not sure what parts are required but likely only a switch a light and reprogramming. Pm me ill see what i can do for you from a dealer.

delly

colm_mcm wrote: »

Its either standard or it isn’t. It’s not a requirement for a car to have it, and it’s understandable that a commercial vehicle wouldn’t have it standard.

There’s cars from 15 years ago that had this, so it’s a bit bizzare alright.

Is it required to turn off the airbag for a toddler? Serious question. I know for rear facing seats you turn it off, but for a forward facing?

Yes, it shouldn't be on for a toddler or young child as the force of the airbag is enough to break their neck. I had the same query 6 or 7 years ago when I got a focus van. I did some research on it and in the cases where it was recorded it seemed that the children were improperly restrained. Now that could mean no seatbelt or no childseat, which would never occur in my world, but was enough to not be able to use it just in case.

colm_mcm

check what the owners manual says. it'll have details about it.

R.O.R

Definitely a dealer fit option for the airbag cut off switch, had to check this a couple of years ago for a customer, and the price sounds about right.

Unlikely Leaseplan will let you do it though OP. Issue when selling the vehicle.