NHTSA complaint: 2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA — AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AT 5 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL AND SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND EYES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR PERFORMED IN THE MANNER IT WAS DESIGNED; THEREFORE, THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 44,000. UPDATED 12/30/08. *LJ HYUNDAI STATED THE AIR BAG PERFORMED AS DESIGNED. THEY STATED IT APPEARED THAT THE ANGULAR COLLISION WAS HIT SOLELY BY THE DRIVERS DOOR, WITHOUT AND DEFORMATION OF THE SIDE STRUCTURE OF THE VEHICLE. CONSEQUENTLY, THE RESULTING ENERGY ABSORPTION MEANT THAT THE DECELERATION EXPERIENCED BY THE SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR DID NOT MERIT DEPLOYMENT OF THE SIDE AIR BAGS. UPDATED 01/05/09. *JB
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation