NHTSA Complaint #10072554 — 2001 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA

1.I AM AN 8 MONTH PREGNANT MOTHER WHO WAS DRIVING A VW JETTA WHEN THE SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT, NOR DID I HIT ANYTHING WHEN I MADE A LEFT TURN OFF THE LINCOLN TUNNEL ON THE WAY TO DROP MY DOG OFF TO HIS NEW HOME 3/21/04. 2.TOOK IT TO BAYSIDE VW DEALER ON 3/22/04, WAS TOLD THAT THE COMPUTER READS THAT IT WAS AN OUTSIDE INFLUENCE THAT SET THE AIRBAG OFF, AND WAS TOLD THAT I MUST HAVE HIT A POTHOLE. SINCE THE BAYSIDE MANAGER SAW A BUBBLE ON MY TIRE, HE MADE THE ASSUMPTION THAT THE AIRBAG WENT OFF BECAUSE OF A POTHOLE. WAS ALSO TOLD THAT IT WAS AN ACCIDENT, EVEN THOUGH I WAS NOT HIT, NOR DID I HIT ANYBODY, AND THAT THE INSURANCE WOULD TAKE CARE OF IT. CAME HOME AND CALLED VW CUSTOMER SERVICE @ 1-800-822-8987 AND PUT IN A COMPLAINT. DO AIRBAGS NORMALLY GO OFF BECAUSE FOR SOMETHING SO EASILY AS A POTHOLE ? WE LIVE IN NY CITY, AND POTHOLES ARE EVERYWHERE ESPECIALLY AFTER THE WINTER WE HAD! 3.FINALLY SPOKE TO JIM MEYERS FROM VW CUSTOMER SERVICE AIRBAG DEPT, AND ALL HE COULD SAY WAS SORRY THE COMPUTER SAYS IT WAS AN OUTSIDE INFLUENCE SO VW WILL NOT DO ANYTHING, SEE YOUR INSURANCE AGENCY!*AK