NHTSA Complaint #10147431 — 2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AROUND A CURVE THE VEHICLE SLID OFF THE ROAD AND THROUGH GRAVEL INTO A METAL TELEPHONE POLE AND A TREE. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIRBAGS AND THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND SHOULDER INJURIES ALONG WITH BRUISES AND PAIN. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. BOTH OCCUPANTS WERE WEARING SEAT BELTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHICH DETERMINED THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS BY VISUAL INSPECTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A SERVICE DEALER OR THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THIS WAS THE SECOND FAILURE OF THE AIR BAGS. THE CONTACT HIT A DEER AT 65 MPH AT AN EARLIER DATE, AND ALL THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT AND SUSTAINED NO INJURIES DURING THE ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE RECEIVED DAMAGE TO THE GRILL, HEADLIGHTS AND FRONT BUMPER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY A DEALER AND RETURNED TO SERVICE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATOR PRIOR TO THE AIR BAG FAILURE IN EITHER ACCIDENT. *AK UPDATED 01/25/06. *JB