NHTSA complaint: 2014 MERCEDES-BENZ GLK350 — STRUCTURE:BODY
2014 M-B GLK350 WAS TRAVELING ON A SIX LANE ROAD: THREE LANES IN THE NORTH DIRECTION; THREE LANES IN THE SOUTH DIRECTION. GLK350 WAS TRAVELING IN THE NORTH DIRECTION RIGHT LANE AT APPROX. 15 MPH WHEN IT WAS BROADSIDED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BY A PICKUP TRUCK WHO WAS COMING FROM THE SOUTH DIRECTION. THE PICKUP TRUCK MADE AN ILLEGAL LEFT HAND TURN AND CROSSED OVER THREE LANES OF TRAVEL IN AN ACCELERATING MODE BEFORE IMPACT WITH THE GLK350. THE PICKUP TRUCK WAS TRAVELING AT LEAST 25 MPH. IMPACT ZONE ON THE GLK350 WAS CENTERED BELOW A-PILLAR IN THE VICINITY OF THE FIREWALL, A VERY WELL REINFORCED AREA. NO AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED DURING THIS IMPACT --- ESPECIALLY CURTAIN AND SIDEBODY BAGS. DRIVER WAS INJURED ( CONCUSSION ); PASSENGER WAS INJURED AND DIED ( COMPLICATIONS OF TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY - CONCUSSION AS STATED ON DEATH CERTIFICATE ). THIS APPEARS TO BE A MAJOR MALFUNCTION IN THE SAFETY ASPECTS OF HAVING 9 AIRBAGS AS MARKETED BY THIS MANUFACTURER. ADDITIONALLY, M-BRACE TELEMETRICS SYSTEM DID NOT AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGE WITH THIS HARD IMPACT ASKING US IF WE NEEDED ASSISTANCE OR TO SUMMONS A POLICE OFFICER.... NOTHING !..UPDATED 10/28/14 *BF *TR
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation