NHTSA Complaint #10182340 — 1996 SUZUKI SIDEKICK

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 1996 SUZUKI SIDEKICK SPORT ON AN ICY AFTERNOON HE PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY AT 5 MPH AND HIT THE UTILITY POLE, AND BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG POPPED AND BURST INTO FLAMES IN THE CENTER OF THE BAG. A NEIGHBOR SAW WHAT HAPPENED ,CAME OVER, OPENED THE PASSENGER DOOR, AND BEAT THE FLAMES UNTIL THE FIRE WAS OUT. THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND FORCED THE CONTACT LEFT HAND TO GO THROUGH THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WHICH SHATTER,ED,AND CAUSED CONTUSIONS TO HIS KNUCKLES. THE CONTACT CONTACTED THE POLICE AND THERE WAS REPORT. THE OFFICER COULDN'T UNDERSTAND HOW THE AIRBAGS COULD HAVE DEPLOYED BECAUSE THE UTILITY POLE HAD NO DAMAGE, BUT THE VEHICLE DID RECEIVE A DING. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES AVAILABLE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE UTILITY POLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76000.*AK UPDATED 03/19/07.*JB