DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE SUDDEN DEPLOYMENT STARTLED THE DRIVER CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LEAVE THE ROAD AND HIT A LIGHT POLE. THE POLE WAS IMPACTED WITH THE FRONT OF VEHICLE AND THERE WAS NO BRAKING PRIOR TO THE IMPACT. IN FACT THE CONTACT THOUGHT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY HAVE BEEN DEPRESSED HARDER, AS A RESULT OF THE SHOCK. ALTHOUGH SEAT BELTS WERE WORN THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED THE VEHICLE TOTALED. THE DEALER OFFERED NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. UPDATED 05/30/06
2010
STRUCTURE
THE DASH IS CRACKED AROUND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. UPON CHECKING THE INTERNET I FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON CHEVROLET TRUCKS. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE AIR BAG MAY BE COMPROMISED IN THE EVENT OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. IT MAY BE POSSIBLE THAT PIECES OF THE AIRBAG COULD BREAK OFF AND STRIKE THE OCCUPANT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OR IT MAY DEFLECT THE AIR BAG ALTOGETHER. CHEVROLET IS NOT TAKING THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR FIXING THIS EVEN THOUGH IT IS NOT A PART THAT WOULD RECEIVE WEAR AND TEAR AND IT IS JUST AN OBVIOUS DEFECT IN THE DESIGN. *TR