NHTSA Complaint #11173568 — 1999 MERCEDES BENZ E320

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT A VIBRATION COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS AND FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR AIR BAG ERRONEOUSLY DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION AND INJURIES TO THE FACE, NECK, AND SHOULDERS, WHICH REQUIRED HOSPITALIZATION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE. THERE WAS NO CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY THE MANUFACTURER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT UNIVERSAL JOINT AND DRIVESHAFT FRACTURED, WHICH CAUSED THE AIR BAG SENSOR TO ERRONEOUSLY ACTIVATE AND DEPLOY THE AIR BAGS. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER (MERCEDES-BENZ OF GREENWICH, 261 WEST PUTNAM AVE, GREENWICH, CT) WERE NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.