NHTSA Complaint #11062436 — 2011 MAZDA CX-7

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 MAZDA CX-7. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED TO THE LEFT AND FAILED TO MANEUVER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT, HYDROPLANED, AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER EMBANKMENT. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED OVER THE TOP OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND UPWARDS TOWARD THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CRACKED CHEST PLATE, LEFT SHOULDER LIGAMENT DAMAGE, A HEAD CONCUSSION, AND NERVE AND SPINAL DAMAGE. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS PROVIDED AT THE HOSPITAL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE VEHICLE, BUT NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 108,000.