NHTSA Complaint #10346781 — 1993 AUDI 100

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 AUDI 100 CS QUARTO.(N/A) THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT 20 MPH WHEN HE TRAVELED OVER AN EXTREMELY UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE. THE TRANSMISSION OIL PAN FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG INDEPENDENTLY DEPLOYED. THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT THEN AUTONOMOUSLY RELEASED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO ABRUPTLY HIT THE WINDSHIELD. THE PASSENGER SUFFERED INJURIES TO HIS EYES, HEAD AND NOSE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURY TO HIS KNEE FROM ABRUPTLY STRIKING THE BOTTOM OF THE STEERING WHEEL. HE SUSTAINED SECOND DEGREE BURNS TO HIS ARMS AND HANDS. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE DEALER CONTACT WAS ABLE TO LOCATE A RECALL PERTAINING TO THE AIR BAG FAILURE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 97V172000: AIR BAGS: FRONTAL: SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THEY WOULD SEND AN INVESTIGATOR TO FURTHER INSPECT THE FAILURE. THE INVESTIGATOR DETERMINED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE STRUTS. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE CONTACT FAILED TO HAVE THE STRUTS CHANGED. THE CONTACT DID NOT BELIEVE THE STRUTS WERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND WERE REPLACED LESS THAN 20,000 MILES BEFORE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND WAS STILL IN THE DEALER'S POSSESSION. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 186,000. UPDATED 12/01/2010. *LJ UPDATED 12/08/10