NHTSA Complaint #10765279 — 2007 FORD MUSTANG

THE 2007 MUSTANG PULLED OUT FROM THE SIDE-STREET IN FRONT OF AN OLDER CHEVY PICKUP AT A TEE INTERSECTION IN A SUBURBAN NEIGHBORHOOD WITH VERY RESTRICTED SIGHT DISTANCE, AND WAS T-BONED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BY THE PICKUP TRAVELLING AT AROUND 35 MPH. THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE MUSTANG WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED TO THE EXTENT THAT THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL/TIRE/SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY WAS RIPPED OFF THE CAR. THE POINT OF IMPACT WAS BETWEEN THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL AND THE MIDDLE OF THE DRIVER'S DOOR. THE MUSTANG IS A ONE-OWNER CAR WHICH WAS BOUGHT NEW AND WAS SPECIFICALLY PURCHASED WITH SIDE AIRBAGS (AN OPTION ON 2007 MUSTANGS). THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL-MAINTAINED. THE AIRBAG TAB WAS VISIBLE ON THE SEAT SIDE BOLSTER. DESPITE THE SEVERITY OF THE IMPACT, THE SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. WE HAVE PHOTOS DOCUMENTING THE POSITIONING OF THE VEHICLES AND THE DAMAGE TO THE MUSTANG, INCLUDING SHOWING THE SIDE AIRBAG TAB AND SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT WITH THE SIDE AIRBAG OBVIOUSLY NOT DEPLOYED. WE BELIEVE THAT THE SIDE AIRBAG WAS DEFECTIVE SINCE IT DID NOT DEPLOY. NOTE: THE STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG (SUBJECT TO THE TAKATA RECALL BUT NOT YET REPLACED) DID DEPLOY CORRECTLY.