Complaint 1139738

Complaint Summary

AIR BAGS

Owner Narrative

I SLID ON BLACK ICE COASTING DOWN A SMALL HILL ON THE ROADWAY DOING 35 MPH IN A 45 MPH ZONE. THE MOMENTUM & WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE MADE THE VEHICLE VEER OFF THE ROAD INTO A PINE TREE. DESPITE MY BEST EFFORTS TO TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS & STEER IN THE DIRECTION WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS SLIDING (AS WE WERE ALWAYS TAUGHT TO DO), I HAD NO CONTROL OVER WHERE MY VEHICLE WAS GOING. I HIT A PINE TREE RATHER HARD. MY FRIEND WAS TRAVELING BEHIND ME & WATCHED IT HAPPEN. I HIT (BRUISED) MY ARM & KNEE BUT DIDN'T REQUIRE AN AMBULANCE. THE FRAME, FENDER, HOOD & HEADLIGHT ALL GOT CRUMPLED. LUCKILY THE STEEL FRAME, HEAVY LARGE TOW HOOK IN FRONT & STEEL BUMPER TOOK MOST OF THE FORCE CAUSING THOSE PARTS & THE STEEL COMPLETE FRAME (INCLUDING THE LEAF SPRINGS UNDERNEATH) TO CRUMPLE UNDER IMPACT. THE PINE TREE WOUND UP EMBEDDED IN & ALL AROUND THAT HOOK & GRILL. HOWEVER, THE FORCE OF SUCH A CRASH SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED THE 2 FRONT AIRBAGS. NEITHER ONE DID DEPLOY! MY QUESTION IS, WHY DIDN'T IT?! THE IMPACT SURELY WAS ONE THAT SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED AN AIRBAG! ARE THEY DEFECTIVE?! LUCKILY I DIDN'T SUSTAIN GREAT INJURIES OR GET KILLED. HOW ARE WE TO TRUST THE SAFETY OF VEHICLES WHEN THE VERY PARTS THAT ARE INSTALLED DON'T PERFORM THEIR JOB? WE TRUST THE VEHICLES TO BE RELIABLE & PROTECT US. THAT'S WHY WE CHOOSE CERTAIN VEHICLES & PAY BIG BUCKS TO HAVE THE SAFETY FEATURES WE WANT IN THEM & TO PROTECT US. IRONICALLY, THIS WASN'T THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED. A FAMILY MEMBER'S FORD PICKUP'S AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED EITHER WHEN THEY HAD A FRONTAL CRASH. WHAT IS FORD DOING ABOUT ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE WITH THEIR VEHICLES' AIRBAGS NOT FUNCTIONING?! IN ORDER TO SAVE LIVES A VEHICLE MUST BE SAFE BY BEING IN GOOD WORKING ORDER! WE PAY FOR SAFETY & EVERYTHING TO BE WORKING PROPERLY YET ARE FINDING OUT FORD VEHICLES AREN'T BUILT AS FORD TOUGH AS THEY CLAIM! *TR

Owner-submitted narrative on file with NHTSA. Complaint narratives are self-reported and have not been verified.