NHTSA Complaint #10609716 — 2013 TESLA MODEL S

AIR BAGS issue reported to NHTSA

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Crash Fire 7 Injuries 1 Death

Complaint Details

ODI Number	10609716
Vehicle	2013 TESLA MODEL S
Component	AIR BAGS
Date of Incident	July 4, 2014
Date Filed	July 10, 2014
Mileage	N/A miles
Crash	Yes
Fire	Yes
Injuries	7
Deaths	1
Vehicle Towed	No
State	CA

Consumer Description

A STOLEN TESLA CRASHED IN WEST HOLLYWOOD, KILLING THE DRIVER. PHOTOS SEEM TO SUGGEST THAT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG MAY NOT HAVE DEPLOYED. ALLEGEDLY LIGHT POLES SPLIT THE CAR IN HALF. THE LIGHT POLES SEEM TO BE THE BREAKAWAY TYPE. SUGGESTING THERE MAY BE A STRUCTURAL WEAKNESS THAT ALLOWED THE TESLA TO BREAK IN HALF, FRACTURING THE BATTERY, CATCHING PIECES OF BATTERY ON FIRE, AND EXPLODING BATTERY CELLS, SENDING FLAMING SHRAPNEL THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD. *TR

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