NHTSA complaint: 2012 TOYOTA 4RUNNER — AIR BAGS
I WAS FIRST ONE WAITING AT THE LIGHT, TRAVELING EASTBOUND ON BUTLER/AIRPORT RD. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I PROCEEDED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. WHEN I WAS ABOUT HALFWAY TO THREE-QUARTERS THROUGH THE INTERSECTION, I NOTICED A MINI COOPER APPROACHING RAPIDLY, HEADING NORTHBOUND ON SHUTE RD. I KNEW SHE WAS GOING TO HIT ME, SO I ATTEMPTED TO SWERVE LEFT TO AVOID A HIGH IMPACT COLLISION. I DIDN'T HEAR HER BRAKES UNTIL THE POINT OF IMPACT, SHE T-BONED MY 4RUNNER HITTING ME IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE NEAR THE WHEEL WELL. MY 4RUNNER THAN TIPPED AND ROLLED UPSIDE DOWN. I WAITED UNTIL THE 4RUNNER STOPPED MOVING, UNBUCKLED THE SEAT BELT AND FLIPPED OVER TO THE GROUND (NOW THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE). I LOOKED AT THE WINDOW AND ATTEMPTED TO PULL/PUSH THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG OUT OF THE WAY, I EVEN TRIED KICKING IT A FEW TIMES, BUT IT WAS STILL INFLATED AND WOULDN'T BUDGE. I REMEMBERED THAT I KEPT A POCKETKNIFE IN THE CENTER CONSOLE. I LOOKED FOR IT, AND SAW IT ON THE GROUND. I GOT THE NAIL FILE SECTION OPEN, BUT THAT DIDN'T DO ANYTHING TO THE AIRBAG. I THEN HEARD SOMEONE OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE SHOUT 'HELP IS ON THE WAY, THEY'LL GET YOU OUT'. I ASKED HER IF SHE COULD HELP ME CUT THE AIRBAG, AND HANDED HER THE KNIFE THROUGH THE GAP BETWEEN THE AIRBAG AND THE CAR FRAME. SHE TRIED TO CUT THE CORD THAT CONNECTED THE AIRBAG TO THE CAR BUT THAT DIDN'T WORK, SO I TOLD HER JUST TO SLIT THE BAG ITSELF. SHE WAS ABLE TO DO THAT, AND HELPED ME GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. I TOOK PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE OVERTU
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation