# 1996 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
> NHTSA complaint `95660` · 1998-01-02 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 1
- **Fire:** No
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** No
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** VOLKSWAGEN
- **Model:** PASSAT
- **Year:** 1996
- **Manufacturer:** Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- **Component:** AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
## Narrative
THE LATCH FAILED ON THE DRIVER SIDE SAFETY BELT.  WHILE BRAKING, THE LATCHING DEVICE ABOVE DRIVER'S LEFT SHOULDER FAILED CAUSING DRIVER TO HIT THEIR HEAD ON THE TOP OF THE STEERING WHEEL.  THIS HAS IN TURN CAUSED REPEATED FAILURE OF THE SPIRAL SPRING IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG SYSTEM - THE WARNING LIGHT CONTINUES TO ACTIVATE ON AN IRREGULAR BASIS.
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*