NHTSA Complaint #10670946 — 2005 SUBARU BAJA

DURING THE AFTERNOON OF THE DECEMBER 21ST ICE STORM IN BOZEMAN MONTANA, MY 2005 SUBARU BAJA SLID OFF THE ROAD AND DOWN A STEEP INCLINE. ALTHOUGH I ONLY SUSTAINED BUMPS AND BRUISES, THE CAR WAS TOTALED. THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN FATAL. THE WINDSHIELD WAS HEAVILY DAMAGED, THE CAR AXLES WERE BROKEN, THERE WAS SEVERE DAMAGE TO THREE SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. I WONDERED WHY THE AIRBAGS HAD NOT DEPLOYED. WHEN I RESEARCHED THE SITUATION I FOUND THERE WAS A RECALL ON 2005 SUBARU AIRBAGS. SUPPOSEDLY A FAULTY RELEASE SWITCH AND POTENTIALLY A RELEASE OF METAL SHARDS UPON DEPLOYMENT. MAYBE I WAS LUCKY THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T GO OFF. I CONTACTED SUBARU TO SEE IF IN LIGHT OF THIS SITUATION, THEY WOULD POTENTIALLY CONSIDER ASSISTING ME WITH A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE. AFTER A 2 WEEK DELAY, ROB THE CSR TOLD ME THAT PER PAGE XXX OF THE OWNER?S MANUAL THE AIRBAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY UNLESS THE VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM THE FRONT OR BACK. ALSO, ALTHOUGH I READ THAT MY CAR WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, HE SAID IT WAS NOT. APPARENTLY, THE COMPANY FEEL NO OBLIGATION WHAT SO EVER TO ASSIST WITH THE SITUATION. POSSIBLY THEY WOULD HAVE PAID MORE ATTENTION IF I WAS INJURED OR DEAD. I AM NOW AN EX-SUBARU CUSTOMER. I WILL BE SEEKING AN ATTORNEY TO SEE IF OTHERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR EXPERIENCES. *TR