NHTSA Complaint #10227145 — 2006 HONDA ELEMENT

DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AFTER MINOR NON-DAMAGING BOTTOM IMPACT. THE CAR WAS DRIVEN OVER A PILE OF ASPHALT AT A VERY LOW RATE OF SPEED (>5MPH) AND WHEN IT CAME DOWN IT BOTTOMED OUT ON THE PILE. THE SIDE (PASSENGER SEAT) AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THERE IS NO EXTERNAL BODY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE OTHER THAN SOME SHALLOW SCRATCHES ON THE BOTTOM FRAME AT THE POINT OF IMPACT. I DON'T DENY IMPACT, BUT COMPLAIN THAT A $1000 REPAIR AND THE POTENTIAL FOR PASSENGER INJURY (NO ONE IN SEAT AT TIME) RESULTED FROM A NON-DAMAGING, NON-SEVERE, NON-INJURY THREATENING BOTTOM IMPACT. AN AIRBAG SHOULD NOT DEPLOY WITH SUCH MINOR IMPACT. MY BAG SYSTEM IS NOW INOPERATIVE AND MY SIDE BAG IS BLOWN OUT OF THE PASSENGER SEAT BACK. AIRBAGS ARE THERE TO PROTECT FLESH FROM CRUSHING METAL AND SHATTERING GLASS. WHY DID A BAG GO OFF WHEN NO PROTECTION WAS NECESSARY? THE ONLY PROTECTION NEEDED AT THAT TIME WAS PROTECTION FROM A NEEDLESSLY EXPLODING AIR BAG! NOW MY ENTIRE SYSTEM IS INOPERABLE IN THE EVENT IT IS NEEDED FOR A VALID IMPACT. *TR