# 1997 BMW E46 — AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
> NHTSA complaint `597152` · 2006-09-22 · BMW of North America, LLC
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 1
- **Fire:** No
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** No
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** BMW
- **Model:** E46
- **Year:** 1997
- **Manufacturer:** BMW of North America, LLC
- **Component:** AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
- **Miles at failure:** 73
- **Speed:** 73 mph
## Narrative
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
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*