NHTSA Complaint #10080425 — 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA

IN DECEMBER 2003, I WAS DRIVING ON I-495 IN THE DC AREA AND HIT A SMALL ROCK (FELT SIMILAR TO HITTING A POTHOLE). MY PASSENGER-SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED...AFTER INSPECTION, THE DEALER SAID THAT, ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR, THERE WAS A SMALL SCRATCH ON THE AIRBAG SENSOR. IT WAS CONSIDERED A COLLISION AND MY INSURANCE HAD TO COVER THE BILL (AROUND $2500). SIX MONTHS LATER (JUNE 2004), I WAS DRIVING DOWN JOPLIN RD NEAR QUANTICO, VA AND DRIVER-SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYS. WHILE ITS A WINDING ROAD, I DIDN'T FEEL ANY IMPACT. I JUST GOT A CALL FROM THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPT. SAYING THAT (AGAIN) WHILE THERE IS NO VISIBLE DAMAGE TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR, IT APPEARS THAT SOMETHING HIT THE INSIDE OF THE CAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE TELLING THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY. AGAIN, THEY SAID MY INSURANCE COMPANY WILL HAVE TO COVER THE AIRBAG/SEAT REPLACEMENT. *NM