Saturday March 8, 2003, I was on my way home from shopping with my 4-year-old son when for no reason the driver side airbag of my 1996 Pontiac Grandam exploded in my face. The deployment of the bag forced my arm back into my face snapping my head back and completely disorienting me. Once I regained my bearings I realized I was northbound in the southbound lanes of Winston Churchill Blvd. in Mississauga. Luckily I was able to regain control of my car without a major incident. At this point I was quite dazed and confused and unsure of what to do, all I knew is that I was close to home and I just wanted to get my son safe at home.
The next morning I went to the hospital to have my arm and neck looked at. Fortunately my arm wasnt broken. It was however severely bruised and still non functional. My neck is still very stiff and sore. Luckily this was the extent of my injuries but I hate to imagine what could have happened if I had been holding the steering wheel differently or if I hadnt regained control of the vehicle, or if I was on the highway when this had happened. Someone could have been killed.
My car is currently at a GM dealership here in Mississauga. I was told that the repairs to my vehicle would take at least a week due to the fact that GM needs to perform an investigation into what may have caused this to happen. Pending the outcome of this investigation I currently have to pay for a rental vehicle. My fear is that GM will just try to sweep this incident under the carpet and send me on my way.
Thurs. March 13
I just spoke with someone from GM who says, "The sensor for the airbag is located under the front passenger seat and due to moisture on the floor getting through to the sensor this may have caused the sensor to corrode and become faulty. In which case it becomes a maintenance issue and not a GM problem."
If this is the case and these sensors are that sensitive to moisture should they not be located someplace with a more stable environment? Should they also not be obligated to inform people of the sensitive nature of this area of the vehicle?
Kevin
mississauga, Ontario
Canada
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