NHTSA complaint: 1999 PONTIAC MONTANA — AIR BAGS
I OWNED A 1999 PONTIAC MONTANA VAN. ON THE DECEMBER 19, 2004 AROUND 2300 HOURS MY GRANDSON WAS DRIVING THE VAN ON THE US 31 BYPASS IN SOUTH BEND IN. HE WAS HEADED WESTBOUND AROUND 50 TO 55 MILES PER HOUR. IT HAD RAINED AND SNOWED SOME THEN IT FROZE. A CAR IN FRONT OF MY GRANDSON SPUN OUT OF CONTROL, AND HE PANICKED AND HIT THE BRAKES, AND SPUN OUT INTO THE CONCRETE MEDIAN DIVIDING WALL. THERE WAS CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE VAN. RADIATOR WAS SHOVED INTO THE BLOCK WITH FENDER, HOOD AND BUMPER DAMAGE. ONE THING THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN WAS THE AIR BAG DID NOT GO OFF ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A APPARENT DEFECT IN THE SYSTEM. THE VAN HAS 35,330 MILES ON IT. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED IT TOTALED, AND IT WILL BE OR WAS SALVAGED. MY GRANDSON HAD MINOR INJURIES TO HIS KNEE ,AND A SEAT BELT ABRASION TO THE LEFT SIDE OF HIS NECK.*AK THANK YOU
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation