NHTSA complaint: 2004 FORD F-150 — AIR BAGS
I WAS IN A BANK DRIVE-UP DRIVING MY DAUGHTER''S 2004 FORD 150 TRUCK. WHEN I STARTED TO LEAVE THE TRUCK LURCHED AND THE ENGINE WENT TO FULL SPEED. I IMMEDIATELY APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THEY DID NOTHING TO SLOW THE TRUCK. I WAS HEADED STRAIGHT FOR THE BANK WHERE THE TELLERS WERE, SO I TURNED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT. THE TRUCK KEPT GOING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED WITH ME TRYING TO STOP IT WITH THE BRAKES. IT SHOT THROUGH THE PARKING LOT AND ACROSS A VERY BUSY ROAD WHERE A CAR HIT ME. THE IMPACT OF THE OTHER CAR DIDN''T EVEN PHASE THE TRUCK. IT KEPT GOING, OVER THE CURB ACROSS THE STREET, THROUGH A BURGER KING PARKING LOT AND RAMMED INTO METAL STAIRS ON THE SIDE OF A JEWELRY STORE WHERE IT FINALLY STOPPED. I HIT THE STAIRCASE AT A TREMENDOUS RATE OF SPEED YET THE AIRBAGS DIDN''T DEPLOY. THE CAR THAT HIT ME WAS TOTALED AND THE DRIVER WENT TO THE HOSPITAL. MY DAUGHTER''S TRUCK WAS TOTALED AND I HAD TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL WITH INJURIES THAT TURNED OUT TO BE BRUISES ALL OVER MY BODY, ESPECIALLY ON MY LEGS. THE STAIRCASE WAS DESTROYED AND A CAR NEARBY HAD DAMAGE. THE INSURANCE WAS NOT ADEQUATE TO COVER ALL THE DAMAGE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY SENT SOMEONE OUT TO DO AN ENGINEERING REPORT ON THE TRUCK BUT HE COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE. THAT DIDN''T SURPRISE ME AS THERE WAS LITTLE LEFT TO INSPECT. THIS WAS DEFINITELY A MECHANICAL FAILURE. I DID NOT HAVE MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDDLE. I WAS TRYING TO STOP THE TRUCK WITH THE BRAKES AND STEERING TO AVOID PEOPLE AND OTHER OBSTACLES. FORD NEEDS TO L
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation