NHTSA Complaint #10806256 — 2011 FORD FLEX

ON 2100 HRS 21 NOV 2015, MY DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN A DEER STRIKE ACCIDENT ON HWY 36 VICINITY HAMILTON, MISSOURI. SHE WAS TRAVELING EAST ON THE HIGHWAY 36 AT 55-60 MPH WHEN A DEER RAN INTO THE PATH OF THE CAR. THE IMPACT WAS FROM CENTER LINE OF THE CAR TOWARDS THE DRIVERS SIDE. SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES UPON SEEING THE DEER BUT THE STRIKE AND APPLICATION OF BRAKES WERE PRETTY MUCH SIMULTANEOUS. SHE PULLED THE CAR OFF THE ROAD AND COULDN'T EXIT THE DRIVER'S DOOR BECAUSE THE FRONT FENDER OVERLAPPING THE DOOR DUE TO IMPACT. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, SHE WAS WEARING HER SEAT BELT WHICH PROBABLY SAVED HER FROM ANY MAJOR INJURIES. BASED UPON THE FRONTAL DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE THE AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE ATTACHED PHOTOS THE FRAME AND INTERNAL BUMPER ARE EXPOSED APPROXIMATELY A FOOT BEYOND THE BODY WHICH HAS BEEN CRUSHED BACK. IN MY OPINION IT APPEARS THAT THERE WAS ENOUGH FRONTAL FORCE WHICH SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED THE AIRBAG. I THEREFORE FEEL THE AIRBAG WAS DEFECTIVE AND CREATED A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE.