NHTSA Complaint #10125313 — 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA

I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 VW JETTA UNDER NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. I STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT IN AN INTERSECTION, CONTINUED WHEN IT TURNED GREEN. I HIT A SMALL SIZED POTHOLE AT THE OTHER END OF THE INTERSECTION AT SPEEDS BELOW 15MPH, WHICH CAUSED THE WRONGFUL DEPLOYMENT OF THE SIDE CURTAIN AND SEAT AIRBAGS AS WELL AS LOCKING THE SEATBELT TENSIONER MAKING IT INOPERABLE. I INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AFTER THE INCIDENT AND FOUND NO DAMAGE WHATSOEVER TO ALL BODY PANELS AND WHEELS/TIRES. THE FOLLOWING MORNING I HAD A MECHANIC INSPECT THE CAR FOR ANY SUSPENSION OR STEERING PROBLEMS AND NONE WERE FOUND. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED IT TO HAVE IT FIXED UNDER WARRANTY AND THE DEALER AND VW OF AMERICA HAVE DENIED WARRANTY REPAIRS AND HAVE NOT YET DONE ANYTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I DID RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET FOR SIMILAR INCIDENTS WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL AND HAVE FOUND THAT THERE HAVE BEEN 500 SIMILAR INCIDENTS OF SPONTANEOUS AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT IN 2002-2004 VW JETTAS, GOLFS, GTI AND NEW BEETLES AROUND THE COUNTRY.