Side/window Air Bag problems of the 2003 Toyota Camry

Several months ago, I went to my local Toyota dealership about a concern with my passenger side air bag. I was told without them touching my vehicle that I needed a new dashboard which is over $2000. 00. I left because I didn't have $2000. 00 plus to purchase a dashboard. I went online to Toyota. Com and submitted a complaint on 6/24/2014. I spoke with heather, a day or so later and she advised me to go back and have them check it, which I did and I was told when I got there it would be an hour/hour and a half before they get to my car. I told frederick (advisor) that I'll wait in the lounge area, it was approximately 2:01pm, at 2:30pm he told me my car was ready. I was given a couple of print outs and was told once again I needed a new dashboard because the vehicle was old, per mr. Frederick. He also asked me if I could read when I asked if it was stated on the print outs, very rude! I spoke with heather again and she said she would have to speak with my local dealership first and she'd contact me in a few days, which she did and said the service manager named tim said he told me it was a cosmetic issue. I never spoke with a tim. She also told me that Toyota will not help me because it's a cosmetic issue, per tim at bev smith Toyota. I attached photos with my complaint to Toyota. I went online and found a complaint site and posted my complaint on there and found out I could contact NHTSA. As I stated to Toyota corporation, I'm not seeking a new vehicle or money, I just want this problem fixed. I would hate for something tragic to happen when the issue could've been resolved! basically, Toyota is saying that their dashboards don't last over ten years. Very disappointed with them and I was considering purchasing another Camry, not after this!! my complaint isn't the only one for that particular vehicle. Shameful!!.

We were travelling in the center lane of I-5 at 55mph and a car (a Jeep wagoneer) spun out of control on the adjacent cloverleaf and hit us on the passenger side. The impact was on our front right side tearing the right front wheel a-arm crumbling the right side of the car all the way back to the rear door of the 4 door sedan. Both front air bags deployed. But neither side air bag deployed. My wife was thrown against her seat belt causing bruising and the door creating large bruises on her right hip, knee, and pain across the chest (from the seat belt).

A large gap developed between passenger side airbag cover and the dash board. Inside the gap, a yellow cover, possible airbag, can be seen. No accident involved.

Seal around front passengers side airbag separating from dashboard causing danger of spontaneous airbag deployment.

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that the dashboard developed a crack, exposing the passenger's side air bag. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.

The accident occurred on the 5 freeway going from northern California to southern California, on the grapevine. It was rainy out and during the time of the incident the rain was just softening up. In the far left lane I driven my vehicle at about 55 - 60mph, speed limit was at 65mph. I begin to slow down, and while doing so the car begins to swerve and not react to my brakes. It then turns out to the next lane and begins spinning about 4 times while I pull up the emergency brakes. No car collision happened, but it was headed straight towards the guard rail, where it then hit the left front of the car and then the side left of the car and back left of the car. The car finally braked, with damage to the front, side left, and back of vehicle, blown out both back tires, wouldn't turn on, & no air bags deployed. The accident caused damaged to the vehicle and cracked pavement as well as moved guard reel affected area about a foot in. Passenger had head, neck and back injuries, nothing to serious, just enough to get checked up and sent to the hospital. I believe the speed of the car should have caused the air bags to deploy. Its a 2003 Toyota Camry, I've been the owner for about a year and a half, no accidents prior to this one.

I noticed a slight swelling in the area around the passenger side air bag seam. I looked down into the crevice and saw a slight separation. I didn't pay it no mind at the time. Today, the seam split has grown to three inches. I'm concerned that the air bag might deploy and injure a passenger.

My passenger side air bag cover looks like is coming apart. I see a good gap between the cover and the dashboard. Inside the airbag cover, I can see a yellow plastic sheet kind of material. I am worried whether it will affect the performance of the airbag or whether if dust or something gets in , it will create problem on its functionality. I took it to gene messer Toyota in lubbock,texas, the service advisor said "tech states separation appears to be caused do to excessive heat. Air bags operating as designed. Does not appear to have been tampered with. Cost to replace . . . . ". They claim it is not an issue and if I want I can replace my entire dashboard to seal the gap on my expense. 1. It may look fine now what if tomorrow if the cover comes out fully that when I am driving in a highway. 2. Anything can get-in in such a big gap. 3. Excessive heat ( the max temperature on this month-June was around 98+) so they mean to say the dashboards are not designed to withstand that outside temperature ?(probably it will be little more inside). So are they saying excessive summer heat can create a gap between dash-board and air bag cover for any car?. Air bag is such a critical safety part. How can Toyota allow such gap between the cover and dash-board for the summer heat?.

Passenger side curtain airbag deployed on hard door slam.

Door slammed shut and side air curtain deployed. Car was not running and at a full stop.

My passenger side air bag cover looks like is coming apart. I see a good gap between the cover and the dash-board. Inside the airbag cover, I can see a yellow plastic sheet kind of material. I am worried whether it will affect the performance of the airbag or whether if dust or something gets in , it will create problem on its functionality. I took it to the local Toyota dealer, the report says "tech states separation appears to be caused do to excessive heat. Air bags operating as designed. Does not appear to have been tampered with. Cost to replace . . . . ". They claim it is not an issue and if I want I can replace my entire dash-board to seal the gap on my expense. 1. It may look fine now what if tomorrow if the cover comes out fully that when I am driving in a highway. 2. Anything can get-in in such a big gap. I have photos for evidence. And I have attached it. 3. Excessive heat ( the max temperature on this month-June was around 95+) so they mean to say the dash-boards are not designed to withstand that outside temperature ?(probably it will be little more inside). So are they saying excessive summer heat can create a gap between dash-board and air bag cover for any car?. Air bag is such a critical safety part how can allow such gap between the cover and dash-board for the summer heat? . I am planning to take this to NHTSA to see a pattern. The explanation of excessive heat looks unrealistic. Safety is my first concern not only the person driving or passengers and to the other cars on the road too. If the air bag pops out when I am driving, it can definitely distract any driver. Or if dust gets in it can mal-function too. Whether Toyota is installing a car dash board which cant even withstand sun light temperature ? if that's the case, am I going to see the gap increasing by end of this summer ? my incident # with Toyota is : 070625-000298 and my email is documented at their Toyota national headquarters under file #200706260111.

Consumer received recall 04-v346-000 for replacement of the curtain shield air bag. No parts were available. Service manager cathy.

On may 13, 2004, while stopped, the vehicle was t-boned by another vehicle at an estimated speed of 50-55mph. The side air bag failed to deploy at anytime from the crash. The side air bag split the seat back upholstery but failed to fully deploy.

While driving 45 mph vehicle was involved in a broad side collision. Upon impact, side airbags did not deploy. Driver and passenger sustained bruised ribs and back injuries.