NHTSA Complaint #705353 — 1989 DODGE DAYTONA

MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING TO SCHOOL ON THE MORNING OF MARCH 31, 1999. SHE WAS IN THE PARKING LOT. SHE WENT OVER A SPEED BUMP, THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND SHE HEARD A POPPING NOISE. AT THAT TIME, THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED ON HER, BUT NOT AT THE NORMAL FAST SPEED. THIS CAUSED HER TO RUN OFF OF THE ROAD AND OVER AN EMBANKMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AS WELL AS THE POLICE. THERE WERE NO CHARGES FILED, THEY SAID IT WAS A FAULTY AIRBAG. IT DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY IMPACT. WE HAVE CONTACTED CHRYSLER CORP. AND THEY HAVE SENT A FILE ON THIS TO SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DODGE DEALER AND THEY HAVE SAID THE LIGHT THAT LIGHTS UP TO SHOW THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAD A LOT OF CORRISION ON IT. THE SQUIB INITIATOR SHOWED IT WAS ACTIVE FOR 73 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG. THIS WAS AN ACCIDENT THAT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF THE EQUIPMENT HAD BEEN INSTALLED PROPERLY. SHE WENT TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND HAD TO MISS 3 DAYS OF SCHOOL. THE TRAUMA IS STILL WITH HER TODAY.