NHTSA Complaint #10175560 — 2000 BMW 323I

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH ON DRY EVEN ROADS, THE LEFT SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG AND THE SMALL ELBOW AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE INJURIES INCURRED WERE BRUISING ON THE LEFT ARM, HEAD CONTUSIONS, AND HEARING DAMAGE. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT TAKEN, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE DEALER STATED THAT THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG WAS DUE TO THE VEHICLE POSSIBLY HITTING A POTHOLE IN THE ROAD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED, WHO DENIED THAT THERE WERE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL # 02V223000, WHICH PERTAINS TO THE SIDE AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.