NHTSA Complaint #10260826 — 2001 BMW 330I

WE WERE DRIVING MY 2001 BMW 330I THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT (70 MPH) IN MISSOURI ON HWY 57 NORTHBOUND IN THE RIGHT-HAND LANE WHEN SUDDENLY, AT MILE MARKER 19, THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION ON THE DRIVERS SIDE CAUSING THE DRIVER TO TEMPORARILY LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE IMPACT OF THE AIRBAGS HITTING HIM ON THE SIDE OF THE FACE, UP AGAINST HIS RIGHT ARM AND ELBOW, AND COVERING HIM WITH A LIGHT, WHITE POWDER. HE QUICKLY REGAINED CONTROL OF THE CAR AND MANAGED TO PULL OFF THE ROAD ON TO THE RIGHT SIDE SHOULDER, HITTING SEVERAL POTHOLES, SLICING INTO THE BOTH PASSENGER SIDE TIRES (SLICING THE SIDEWALLS) , DAMAGING THE RIMS AND DAMAGING THE ALIGNMENT ALL IN AN ATTEMPT TO KEEP THE CAR ON THE ROAD AND AVOID HAVING THE CAR CAREEN DOWN THE EMBANKMENT INTO THE RAVINE AND OFF INTO THE WOODS. UPON INSPECTION BY US AND BY TROOPER SPAIN FROM THE MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL IT BECAME CLEAR THAT NO COLLISION OR ACCIDENT HAD OCCURRED. MEANING, NONE OF US COULD LOCATE ANY EXTERIOR DAMAGE ON THE VEHICLE POSSIBLY DUE TO FLYING DEBRIS OR HITTING ANOTHER CAR, NOR COULD WE FIND ANY ROAD HAZARDS LIKE POTHOLES IN THE CENTER OF THE ROAD. APPARENTLY BOTH SIDE AIRBAGS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED (WITHOUT CAUSE) BREAKING THE WINDOW, HITTING THE DRIVER AND DESTROYING THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR PANELING AND RESULTING IN OTHER DAMAGE AS HE TRIED TO RETAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR. WITH SOME DIRECTION FROM THE STATE TROOPER, WE TOOK PHOTOS OF THE VEHICLE ON ALL SIDES; THE TIRE MARKS ON THE ROAD; THE GLASS ON THE ROAD WHERE THE EXPLOSION OCCURRED (IN THE CENTER OF THE HIGHWAY SHOWING NO POTHOLES) AND ALL THE INTERIOR DAMAGE. THE CAR WAS JUST SERVICED BY PERILLO BMW IN CHICAGO IN PREPARATION FOR THIS ROADTRIP - WHERE THE OIL AND BELTS WERE CHANGED. THE AIRBAG INDICATOR WAS NOT ON AND DID NOT COME ON DURING OUR TRIP. I HAVE THE ACCIDENT REPORT; PHOTOS; AND CAR RECORDS DATING BACK TO 2001 INCLUDING WORK FROM ALL PREVIOUS OWNERS PROVING NO PRIOR ACCIDENTS OR POSSIBLE CAUSE. *TR