NHTSA Complaint #11128150 — 2005 MERCEDES BENZ C240

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ C240. THE CONTACT WAS CALLING ON BEHALF OF HER SPOUSE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT AN ENTRANCE TO A FUEL STATION, A MOTORCYCLIST DRIVING 40 MPH T-BONED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CRASH DAMAGED THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR AND PART OF THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. THE STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG AND FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG DEPLOYED VIOLENTLY AND AN UNKNOWN SUBSTANCE EMITTED, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO GAG AND HAVE SHORTNESS OF BREATH. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER SUFFERED FROM FLUID TO THE LUNGS AND CUTS ON HIS ARMS THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE DRIVER ALSO RETAINED FLUID TO THE LUNGS AND HAD TO HAVE A PLEUREX CATHETER CERVICAL IMPLANT IN ORDER TO DRAIN THE FLUID ON A DAILY BASIS. THE DRIVER OF THE MOTORCYCLE ALSO SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO AN IMPOUND LOT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHERE THEY DECLINED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO BROOKS MOTOR CARS (9829 BIGGE ST, OAKLAND, CA 94603); HOWEVER, THE DEALER DECLINED TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO TWO OTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANICS AND ESTIMATES WERE COMPLETED, BUT THE REPAIRS NEEDED WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND DEEMED TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM TK HOLDINGS REGARDING THE TAKATA AIR BAGS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000. *TT *DT *DT CONSUMER'S FIRST CONCERN IS "WHY DID THE AIRBAG DEPLOY AT THE STEERING WHEEL FROM A "RIGHT-HAND" IMPACT OF THE (T-BONE) COLLISION? UPDATED 10/10/18*JB *TR