NHTSA Complaint #702774 — 1982 OLDSMOBILE TORONADO

1-23-99: ACCIDENT WHEN OLDSMOBILE TORONADO WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. DURING IMPACT, TORONADO WAS HIT IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO TURN 180 DEGREES, AND WENT INTO THE CURB BACKWARDS, STRIKING THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL LIGHT POLE. THE LIGHT FIXTURE WAS FORCED INTO THE CENTER TRUNK AREA, CAUSING THE FUEL TANK TO RUPTURE. THE GAS TANK THEN EXPLODED AND THE FUEL LINE NEAR THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL ALSO BROKE, AND CAUSED FUEL TO BURN THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR, PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR AND TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE TO BURN EXTENSIVELY. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER STATED THEY HAD NEVER SEEN A FUEL TANK EXPLODE LIKE THIS, AND QUESTIONS IF THERE WAS A GAS TANK OR FUEL SYSTEM RECALL, OR A MANUFACTURER'S DESIGN DEFECT. THERE WAS NO RUST ON THE VEHICLE (100% COLORADO CAR) AND THE BODY WAS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. THE VEHICLE WAS, OBVIOUSLY, A COMPLETE AND TOTAL LOSS.