NHTSA complaint: 2001 DODGE RAM 1500 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
2001 DODGE RAM 1500 TRAVELING 25 MPH .DRIVER LOST CONTROL AFTER HITTING BLACK ICE AND CONTROL WAS NEVER REGAINED. VEHICLE TRAVELED DITCH LINE AND PROCEEDED DOWN 50+ FOOT EMBANKMENT TO HIT ON THE NOSE OF THE TRUCK AT AN ESTIMATED TRAVEL OF 50 MPH. VEHICLE STOOD ON FRONT END THEN FELL ON TO THE DRIVERS SIDE.DRIVER WAS TREATED AT HOSPITAL FOR NECK,BACK AND LEFT SHOULDER INJURIES. AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED.MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF AIR BAG FAILURE AND AFTER SEVERAL WEEKS WE WERE NOTIFIED THAT IMPACT WAS NOT ENOUGH TO ACTIVATE SENSORS. WHEN I CALLED INVESTIGATOR, I WAS TOLD THAT A LETTER WOULD COME ABOUT DECISION AND NO FUTHER ACTIONS WOULD BE TAKEN. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED AND DRIVER IS STILL UNDER GOING TREATMENT FOR INJURIES TO BACK.OTHER CALLS WERE PLACED TO MANUFACTURER ,ESPECIALLY AFTER WE RECEIVED A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE FOR THE AIR BAGS 30 DAYS AFTER THE INCIDENT. WE WERE TOLD THIS DID NOT AFFECT OUR VEHICLE. WE ARE NOT SATISFIED WITH THE REPORT AND RESULTS AND ARE UNCERTAIN IF ANYONE EVEN LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE SINCE IT WAS TOWED TO A LOCKED FACITILITY AND THE OWNER OF THE FACILITY HAD LET INSURANCE ADJUSTER AND OWNERS ONLY IN TO THE SECURED SITE. FACILITY OWNER STATED HE SEEN NO ONE ELSE REQUESTING TO VIEW OR TEST THIS VEHICLE FOR MALFUNCTIONS. WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE EXACT METHOD AND RESULTS OF THE MANUFACTURERS DETERMINATION OF NO DEFECT. WE ARE STILL PURSUING THIS INVESTIGATION.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation