NHTSA Complaint #10573976 — 2004 CHRYSLER 300M

WHILE DRIVING SLOWLY IN A PARKING LOT, LOOKING FOR A SPACE, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITH A LOUD EXPLOSION THAT ALSO SHATTERED THE WINDSHIELD. THERE WAS NO CONTACT WITH ANYTHING. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE NAPLES DEALERSHIP AND AFTER TESTING CONCLUDED THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY SENSOR AND SUGGESTED I CALL CUSTOMER SERVICE. CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE ESTABLISHED A CASE NUMBER [XXX], SENT IT TO SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT AND SENT A PERSON TO INSPECT THE CAR. ABOUT 2 WEEKS LATER I WAS INFORMED THAT SINCE THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY CHRYSLER HAD NO LIABILITY. WE ARE HAVING THE SEAT BELT AND SENSOR REPLACED [ABOUT $2,000], THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED ABOUT $800 WITH SOME INSURANCE RECOVERY] AND RENTING A CAR DURING THE 7-10 DAYS FROM NOW WHILE PARTS ARE ORDERED AND REPAIRS MADE. CERTAINLY I BELIEVE CHRYSLER SHOULD COVER THESE COSTS. BUT IN ADDITION I THINK CHRYSLER OWNERS SHOULD BE MADE AWARE OF THE RISK OF THESE DEFECTIVE SENSORS. IN OUR CASE THERE WAS NO PASSENGER AND THE CAR WAS MOVING SLOWLY. HOWEVER, IF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED IN THIS MANNER WHILE ON A HIGHWAY, THERE COULD BE SIGNIFICANT RISK TO PASSENGER AND DRIVER. *TR