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2005 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN — AIR BAGS:KNEE BOLSTER

crash1 injured · 631821 · 2007-07-25

Vehicle

Make
DODGE
Model
GRAND CARAVAN
Year
2005
Manufacturer
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Component
AIR BAGS:KNEE BOLSTER
Miles at failure
27,000
Speed
30 mph

Severity

Deaths
0
Injured
1
Fire
No
Crash
Yes
Police report
Yes
Medical attention
No
Vehicle towed
No

Narrative

IN THE 05 AND NEWER DODGE/CHRYSLER CARS AND MINIVANS, THERE IS A "KNEE BLOCKER" AIRBAG SYSTEM INSTALLED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BELOW THE STEERING COLUMN, THAT IS DEFECTIVE IN DESIGN AND IN IT'S INTENDED USE. THE LOWER DASH PANEL IS ATTACHED TO A METAL FRAME THAT IS HINGED AT THE BOTTOM AND BEHIND THAT IS THE AIRBAG THAT DEPLOYS AT JUST UNDER 200 MPH. WHEN THE AIRBAG INFLATES IN AN ACCIDENT, THIS HARD PLASTIC REINFORCE PANEL WILL SLAM DOWN ON A DRIVER'S LEGS CAUSING INJURY. BUT THAT'S NOT ALL... WHEN THE DRIVER'S LEGS ARE STRUCK, THE FIRST INSTINCT IS FOR THE DRIVER TO RECOIL AND BRING THEIR LEGS AWAY FROM THE CAUSE OF THE PAIN. WHEN THEY DO THIS, THIS PANEL DROPS IN FRONT OF THE LEGS AND NOW THE DRIVER CANNOT GET THEIR FEET BACK TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. IF THEIR VEHICLE CONTINUES TO ROLL, THERE IS A DANGER OF A FURTHER COLLISION WITH THE DRIVER HAVING LITTLE CONTROL. ONE LAST CONSIDERATION, IS THE POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT INJURY TO DIABETICS (LOWER LIMBS ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO LOWER LEG PROBLEMS, AND THOSE WITH OSTEOPOROSIS WHO LIKELY WOULD HAVE BROKEN LOWER LIMBS. *TR

Source

Authoritative
NHTSA ODI Flat-File Downloads
ODI Number
10197416
Machine
JSON-LD · Markdown