TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCURY MILAN. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG RUPTURED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS BLINDED AND REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED CUTS UNDER THE EYE, NOSE, AND CHIN FROM THE AIR BAG. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BACK HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TOWN MOTORS INC (400 SOUTH DEAN STREET, ENGLEWOOD, NJ, 07631) WHERE THE DEALER REMOVED THE BLACK BOX FROM THE VEHICLE TO SEND OFF FOR INVESTIGATION. DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE BODY DAMAGE FROM THE COLLISION AND THE REPAIR COST, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AT THE DEALER EXCEPT FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE BLACK BOX. THE DEALER CUT OUT THE AIR BAG FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO BODY SHOP. THE BODY DAMAGE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG WAS NOT REPAIRED BECAUSE THE BODY SHOP DID NOT PROVIDE THAT TYPE OF SERVICE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE AIR BAG EXPLODED DUE TO CONTACT WITH THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V384000 (AIR BAGS) FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THERE WAS NO RECALL NOTICE RECEIVED FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 43,000.