NHTSA complaint: 2001 TOYOTA AVALON — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
I HIT A LARGE STEER AT NIGHT WHILE ACCELLERATING FROM A STOP. IMPACT WAS SEVERE AND RESULTED IN A TOTAL LOSS OF THE CAR. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT BECAUSE THE INITIAL IMPACT WITH THE STEER WAS HIS LEGS AND LITTLE RESISTANCE WAS NOT ENOUGH TO TRIGGER THE AIR BAGS. THE SEVERITY OF DAMAGE TO FRONT END, HOOD, AND ROOF MADE ME WONDER IF ANOTHER SENSOR WOULD BE APPROPRIATE HIGHER UP WHICH WOULD TRIGGER THE AIR BAGS. YOUR OPINION AND COMMENTS WOULD BE APPRECIATED. HOOD, LI*AK
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation