NHTSA Complaint #10265353 — 1996 CADILLAC SEVILLE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CADILLAC SEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER A SLIGHT BUMP IN THE ROAD AND THE AIR BAGS SUDDENLY DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED WITH SMOKE AND WAS VERY HOT. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN BACK TO HIS RESIDENCE AND THE AUTO CLUB CAME OUT TO CUT THE AIR BAGS. THE DEALER DENIED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE, BUT ONLY FOR THE 1995 SEVILLE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V115000 (AIR BAGS)). ANOTHER DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY ALSO DENIED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A SPRAINED THUMB AND BRUISES ON BOTH HANDS. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS ONLY SMOKE INHALATION FROM THE AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED, ALTHOUGH IT WAS INSPECTED AND APPEARS TO HAVE A DEFECT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 125,000.