ON WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 20, 2006 I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT ABOUT 70-75 MPH WHEN MY SIDE AIRBAG ON THE DRIVER SIDE DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. I HAVE A 1997 BMW 528I WITH APPROXIMATELY 230K MILES. I DO NOT KNOW THE CAUSE OF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYING. I DID NOT HIT ANY POTHOLES. THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY. I COULD NOT HEAR WELL FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES AND MY LEFT ARM HAS A LARGE BRUISE ON IT. I TOOK IT BY THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT WENT WRONG OR WHY THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THEY SAID THEY HAD NEVER SEEN THAT BEFORE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE WHEN THE AIRBAG WENT OFF, I HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS HAPPENING. IN HEAVY TRAFFIC THAT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT ESPECIALLY IF IT WAS THE FRONT AIR BAG. *NM