Side/window Air Bag problems of the 2001 Volkswagen Jetta - part 2

On July 31 I was driving on the freeway at 55 mph and suddenly I heard and explosion inside my car and I almost lost control of the vehicle but luckily I did not, then I realized that the air bag located on the passenger right arm and the air bag that protects the right side windows where activated with out a reason. I was very upset and went to the dealer with my concern of the incident, but to my surprise not only did I did not get any apologies but they put the blame on me, argumenting that something hit the under hood of my car close to the place where the right side bags sensor is located and that the guaranty did not cover it. I think its a very dangerous matter if something hits under the car and can diploids the airbags. I am certain I did not hit anything on the freeway at the time of the incident. I have spoken to the dealer owner and to costumer care and both tell me they support the mechanics decision.

I received a severe right forearm fracture, requiring surgery, from a driver's side airbag. The accident took place in a parking lot and my car was almost stopped at the time. Two fingers were also broken/dislocated. I spent 3 days in the hospital and will have months of physical therapy to endure. I want this on record so if others have been injured, the airbags will be investigated. I am willing to share x-rays, medical records, etc. I contacted vw and they said since I was honking the horn at the time of impact, it's basically my fault. I can understand that if the body is in the way when the airbag deploys, injury may occur, but such a severe injury as a consequence for honking the horn, seems extreme to me. I think the airbag may have deployed too fast. Please compare my case to others' so other vw drivers won't have to go through what I am right now. Thank you.

I had a client, who is an 11 year old boy with autism, in the left rear seat of my car. We were several feet from a stop sign while traveling on a bumpy road. In the process of slowing down to come to the stop sign, I heard a very loud popping sound to the right side of the car. The vehicle was almost stopped because of the stop sign. The vehicle turned off and the battery light illuminated. When I looked to the right side of the car, the air bags along the right side of the car were deflating. I got out of the car to see if something fell on the car to cause the airbags to deploy and to make sure that the client sitting on that side was okay. There was nothing that hit the car. The client was scared but physically okay. The car started right back up so I tucked the airbags in and drove to the client's home. My contact with Volkswagen has been very unsuccessful. They are claiming proper deployment of the airbags due to lateral movement of the car. They are showing wear on the outside of front right and rear left tires as evidence of proper deployment due to lateral skid. My contention is that there was no lateral skid ,and that the triggers misfired or are dangerously too sensitive.

While driving, the side airbag deployed, consumer was informed the airbag deployed due to a scrape on the tire. (state farm insurance, claim number, 27-7080-537).

While driving, both airbags deployed without warning, causing injury to the consumer, also the left tire was flat. (state farm insurance, claim number, 06-5516-976).

While driving down the highway, both the drivers side and side curtain airbags deployed. There was no cause for the deployment such as accident or collision. The car was stopped without further inciodent. It was towed to the dealer and is being evaluated by vw at this time for a cause of the deployment.

While driving, consumer ran over a pothole, the pothole was not very large and did not damage tires or undercarriage, however the jolt from the pothole caused both airbags to deploy, leaving residue all over the inside of the vehicle. (state farm insurance, calim number, 25-5647-797).

The consumer hit a pothole while driving, after hitting the pothole the driver heard a loud bag and saw that the passenger side air ag deployed along with the seat air bag. The dealership is aware of the problrm. Nlm ie04-078.

Consumer hit a pothole and the roof and side air bags deployed. (state farm insurance, claim number, 17-9237-404).

While traveling and without any indication, passenger's side air bag deployed, injuring passenger. Consumer stated that vehicle did not hit anything, the air bag light did not illuminate prior to deployment, the passenger side seat and side curtain deployed, causing injury to consumers wife. Ie04-078.

Consumer ran over an object, and the side curtain airbags deployed, causing damage to the mount of the rear axle beam. (state farm insurance, claim number, 47-4308-227).

While driving, the passenger side airbag deployed, upon inspection consumer was informed there was some damage to the undercarriage and perferation of the floorboard which caused the airbag to deploy. (state farm insurance, claim number, 13-7602-854).

Automobile accident involving tractor trailer. Car was hit directly on the drivers side, rear and front end of vehicle. Accident speed was 65 mph. Two front airbags deployed but the drivers side curtain airbag did not. The air bag may have malfunctioned. The car was totaled. Driver sustained injuries to the left hemisphere of head. Reported to vw but have had no response.

While traveling about 70 mph on the highway and without prior warning, the passenger side airbags and the overhead airbags deployed without contact with another vehicle. Ts.

Passenger "window curtain" airbag and passenger side airbag deployed when I hit a bump in the road. There was no impact, loss of control in driving vehicle, or anyother damage to the vehicle. Ie04-078.

While traveling at 35 mph and without any indication air bags deployed. Dealer and manufacturer have been contacted. Please provide further information. Ie04-078.

Vehicle was hit directly on drivers side at 50 mph by another vehicle. Consumer felt that side airbags should have deployed instead of steering wheel and the dash board deploying. Consumer may not have broken a rib if side airbags had deployed. Consumer has yet to contact dealer. Please provide any further infomation.

Consume rwas traveling 25mph on a side streetand hit a drainage gate, and passenger's airbag went off. He has contacted dealership. Ie04-078.

Accident, impact at 40 mph, driver's airbag did not deploy. Dealer stated that was due to location of the sensors.

Consumer was struck on passenger's side when being hit by another vehicle. Upon impact, side airbags deployed.

Subject vehicle was struck by a minivan on the passenger side. Passenger side, side air bag did not deploy. Vehicle experienced extensive damage to passenger side of the vehicle due to side impact. The vehicle rolled over 1 and 3/4 times. The passenger side side impact airbag did not deploy as a result of the accident. The drivers side side impact air bag did deploy, passenger sustained personal injury, attorney for client, updated 1/4/01. Nlm.

2001 Volkswagen Jetta was impacted on th eside yet the side air bags failed to deploy. ** answer required***.

The consumer's daughter was driving 55 mph and without any warning the curtain/ side air bag deployed. The same day vehicle was parked driver's air bag deployed.

Passenger's side and curtain airbags inadvertently deployed while making a right turn while driving at 5 mph.

While driving at 65/70 mph vehicle went over a small obstacle in the road. When this occurred passenger's side curtain and side air bag deployed.

While coming out of driveway both side and front airbags on passanger's seat deployed with no reason.