NHTSA complaint: 1999 BUICK LESABRE — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE BEING REPORTED OWNED BY AVIS CORPORATION. DRIVER/PATIENT WAS OPERATING A BUICK LA SABRE, RENTED FROM AVIS. DRIVER STATES HE WAS APPROACHING INTERSECTION, DURING A LIGHT RAIN STORM, AND WAS UNABLE TO STOP OR CONTROL THE BUICK. THE BUICK CONTACT A MID 80'S NISSAN PICKUP TRUCK WHICH WAS IN THE INTERSECTION. THE BUICK APPEARS TO HAVE CONTACT THE FRONT LEFT TIRED, RIDING UP ONTO THE LEFT FENDER AND HOOD OF THE PICKUP. THE PICKUP BODY HAD MODERATE DAMAGE SUGGESTIVE OF CONTACT SPEED BETWEEN 10-20 MPH. BODY DAMAGE TO THE BUICK APPEARS TO BE PRIMARILY ON THE LEFT SIDE. THE LEFT FENDER HAD MINIMUM DAMAGE. THE FRONT BUMPER AND UNDERCARRIAGE APPEARED TO HAVE MODERATE DAMAGE. ALL THE TRANSMISSION OIL FROM THE TRANSAXLE WAS RELEASED ONTO THE PAVEMENT DO TO DAMAGE TO THE TRANSAXLE HOUSING. . BOTH DRIVERS WERE WEARING LAP/SHOULDER HARNESSES AND DID NOT REPORT ANY INJURIES. THE AIRBAGS ON THE BUICK LA SABRE DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER OF THE BUICK WAS SITTING WELL BACK FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND ALSO HAD A CORRECTLY ADJUSTED HEAD RESTRAINT. GIVEN THE APPARENTLY VOLICITY OF THE BUICK I AM UNCLEAR WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation