NHTSA Complaint #750216 — 1997 FORD EXPEDITION

WHILE LEAVING A BALLGAME ON 7/8/01 - SPEED APPROX. 10-20 MPH WE HIT A HOLE IN THE ROAD AND THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. LUCKILY THE SPEED WAS SLOW AND MY HUSBAND WHO WAS DRIVING ONLY SUSTAINED SOME PAINFUL BRUISING ON HIS ARM. WE CONTACTED THE FORD CONSUMER DEPARTMENT AND WERE TOLD IT HAD TO BE TAKEN TO A DEALER TO DETERMINE IF SOMETHING WAS DEFECTIVE. THEY DETERMINED SOME PARTS TO BE DEFECTIVE RESULTING IN SHORTS WHICH SUPPOSEDLY CAUSED THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY BUT AFTER SEVERAL CALLS AND EMAILS WE WERE INFORMED BY FORD THAT THEY DO NOT COVER THESE TYPES OF SAFETY FAILURES. IF WE HAD BEEN DRIVING ON A FREEWAY OR HIGHWAY OR EVEN AT A FASTER SPEED WHEN THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED IT VERY WELL COULD HAVE RESULTED IN INJURY OR DEATH TO US OR OTHERS. BECAUSE NO ONE WAS SERIOUSLY HURT AND THERE WAS NO "ACCIDENT" AS A RESULT OF THE DEPLOYMENT FORD REPRESENTATIVES WERE UNINTERESTED IN ASSISTING IN CORRECTING THE EQUIPMENT FAILURE.*AK