NHTSA complaint: 2004 HONDA ODYSSEY — AIR BAGS
DROVE THE CAR ABOUT 20 YARDS, THEN PLACED IT IN PARK TO ALLOW THE REAR VAN DOORS TO OPEN FOR OUR CHILDREN. WHEN THE KIDS GOT IN, I PLACED THE SHIFT LEVER IN DRIVE. IMMEDIATELY, BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS DEPLOYED VIOLENTLY. I WAS NOT IN MOTION, WAS NOT STRUCK BY ANY OTHER VEHICLE OR OBJECT, AND MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. AN OFF-DUTY POLICE OFFICER WAS PARKED RIGHT BEHIND ME SAW THIS AND CAME TO HELP. HE NOTED THAT THE AIRBAG FIRING MECHANISMS CONTINUED TO FIRE. "I'VE SEEN A LOT OF WRECKS" HE SAID "BUT I'VE NEVER SEEN THE AIRBAGS CONTINUE TO FIRE. THE HORN CONTINUED TO BEEP. SHE SUSTAINED POWDER BURNS ON BOTH ARMS, AND WAS, OF COURSE SHOCKED BY THE SURPRISE. IT WAS RAINING AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN FURTHER. I HAD MINOR POWDER BURNS ON MY ARMS, AND OUR EARS WERE RINGING FROM THE LOUD EXPLOSIONS. *TR
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation