| Subject: | Inadvertent deployment of side air bag |
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| Investigations Summary: | This investigation was opened on Sep. 27, 1999. It was closed on Feb. 15, 2000. Odi has received 6 complaints alleging inadvertent deployment of a side impact air bag in the subject vehicles. In 1 case, the side air bag deployed during initial start up of the vehicle. In 2 cases, the inadvertent deployment was preceded by illumination of the air bag warning light. The subject vehicle are equipped with a side impact sensing module (sism) which is designed to; detect a side impact of sufficient force to warrant deployment; supply electrical current to the corresponding door-mounted inflator; and perform diagnostic monitoring and communicate sism status to the sensing and diagnostic module (sdm). The inadvertent deployment of the side impact air bag may result in unwarrated injury to an adjacent occupant as reported by 3 of the 6 complaints (contusions). Additionally, one complainant alleges abrupty applying the brakes following inadvertent deployment of the side air bag assuming that a crash had taken place. This reaction could create a hazardous situation for the driver and and other vehicles operating nearby. A preliminary evaluation is warranted to determine if a safety defect exists. |
| Vehicles Affected by this investigation: |
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