NHTSA complaint: 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER DUE TO A VERY STRONG CHEMICAL SMELL INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM TO DRIVE WITH THE WINDOWS OPEN, KEEP THE VEHICLE OUT OF DIRECT SUNLIGHT, AND ALLOW IT TO AIR OUT. AFTER A FEW WEEKS OF AIRING OUT THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 40 MPH. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE STRONG SCENT IN THE VEHICLE CAUSED HIM TO BECOME DISORIENTED WHILE DRIVING. HE BELIEVED THAT THE SCENT WAS SO STRONG THAT IT CAUSED HIM TO DRIVE POORLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE CONTACT DOES NOT WANT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE ODOR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 800. UPDATED 07/14/09 *BF THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED AFTER CRASHING INTO SEVERAL CARS, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE REASON HE CRASHED WAS DUE TO THE CHEMICAL SMELL IN THE VEHICLE WHICH CAUSED HIM TO BECOME DISORIENTED. UPDATED 07/16/09.*JB
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation