NHTSA complaint: 2003 INFINITI FX45 — AIR BAGS
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A MINOR GRAZING IMPACT ON BOTH RIGHT SIDE DOORS (IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION), WHICH DEPLOYED THE RIGHT SIDE AIRBAGS AND ALSO THE AIRBAG INSIDE THE FRONT PASSENGER LEATHER SEAT. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE WINDOW GLASS DIDN'T BREAK, THE DOORS OPENED AND CLOSED NORMALLY. THE SAFETY ISSUE IS THAT WHEN THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, THE ENGINE DIED IMMEDIATELY, AS IF FROM AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE, AND THE STEERING WHEEL PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND THE DRIVER (ME) HAD NO BRAKING. THE CAR VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND COASTED TO A STOP IN A YARD AT THE FAR END OF THE INTERSECTION. AFTERWARDS, THE CAR STARTED NORMALLY AND WAS DRIVABLE. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC OR PEDESTRIANS, SO NOBODY WAS INJURED. I CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE AT INFINITI, AND THE REPRESENTATIVE CHECKED WITH THEIR TECHNICAL PEOPLE WHETHER THE AIRBAGS ARE INTENTIONALLY DESIGNED TO KILL THE ENGINE ON DEPLOYMENT, OR WHETHER THIS INDICATED A SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. THE CUSTOMER REPRESENTATIVE REPORTED BACK THAT INFINITI TECH SUPPORT COULDN'T SAY, ONE WAY OR THE OTHER, WHICH STRUCK ME AS AN EVASIVE RESPONSE. THE INFINITI CASE NUMBER IS [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation