Inadvertent Airbag Deployment
#1
Inadvertent Airbag Deployment
Yesterday, I was driving north on I-35 here in OKC, going to my annual member-guest golf tournament at normal interstate speeds. I was getting ready to exit off and was thinking about all the money I was going to....
BAM
I was totally disoriented. Since I turned 40 a few months ago, I have noticed that my reflexes are not what they used to be, but this was ridiculous. I had no idea what just happened. In all honesty, I thought I had been shot. Then I thought I must have been in an accident. Finally, when the smoke cleared (literally), I figured out that the curtain airbags on the passenger side went off. In addition, my seatbelt went cowgirl tight, the car immediately began dialing 911 and the hazard lights came on.
I finally got everything shut off and my seatbelt unlatched. I began thinking that I must have hit something. The short version of the story is that I did not hit anything. I didn't hit so much as a pot hole. The airbags just went off. Thank goodness that no one was in the car at the time. I could not help but think about my 6 month old being in the back when the rear door air bag went off. I am very fortunate in that regard.
I called 800.for.merc and my car was towed in. I have an 04 with 65K or so on the clock. I do have an extended warranty, but I have no idea yet at this point whether it covers this problem. I called my indy shop and they were the ones that told me to call MB immediately. They believe that MB should fix this. I have already recevied a call back from MB about it, but I missed the call.
I have a couple of questions:
1. Has this ever happened to anyone else on here?
2. Do you have any suggestions about how to handle this with MB?
My belief is that this is not a normal mechanical failure, such as a belt or alternator. This is a purely a defect which could have been a disaster. I can only imagine what might have happened had the driver airbag gone off while was I was running down the interstate.
Help a brother out here.
BAM
I was totally disoriented. Since I turned 40 a few months ago, I have noticed that my reflexes are not what they used to be, but this was ridiculous. I had no idea what just happened. In all honesty, I thought I had been shot. Then I thought I must have been in an accident. Finally, when the smoke cleared (literally), I figured out that the curtain airbags on the passenger side went off. In addition, my seatbelt went cowgirl tight, the car immediately began dialing 911 and the hazard lights came on.
I finally got everything shut off and my seatbelt unlatched. I began thinking that I must have hit something. The short version of the story is that I did not hit anything. I didn't hit so much as a pot hole. The airbags just went off. Thank goodness that no one was in the car at the time. I could not help but think about my 6 month old being in the back when the rear door air bag went off. I am very fortunate in that regard.
I called 800.for.merc and my car was towed in. I have an 04 with 65K or so on the clock. I do have an extended warranty, but I have no idea yet at this point whether it covers this problem. I called my indy shop and they were the ones that told me to call MB immediately. They believe that MB should fix this. I have already recevied a call back from MB about it, but I missed the call.
I have a couple of questions:
1. Has this ever happened to anyone else on here?
2. Do you have any suggestions about how to handle this with MB?
My belief is that this is not a normal mechanical failure, such as a belt or alternator. This is a purely a defect which could have been a disaster. I can only imagine what might have happened had the driver airbag gone off while was I was running down the interstate.
Help a brother out here.
#2
Yesterday, I was driving north on I-35 here in OKC, going to my annual member-guest golf tournament at normal interstate speeds. I was getting ready to exit off and was thinking about all the money I was going to....
BAM
I was totally disoriented. Since I turned 40 a few months ago, I have noticed that my reflexes are not what they used to be, but this was ridiculous. I had no idea what just happened. In all honesty, I thought I had been shot. Then I thought I must have been in an accident. Finally, when the smoke cleared (literally), I figured out that the curtain airbags on the passenger side went off. In addition, my seatbelt went cowgirl tight, the car immediately began dialing 911 and the hazard lights came on.
I finally got everything shut off and my seatbelt unlatched. I began thinking that I must have hit something. The short version of the story is that I did not hit anything. I didn't hit so much as a pot hole. The airbags just went off. Thank goodness that no one was in the car at the time. I could not help but think about my 6 month old being in the back when the rear door air bag went off. I am very fortunate in that regard.
I called 800.for.merc and my car was towed in. I have an 04 with 65K or so on the clock. I do have an extended warranty, but I have no idea yet at this point whether it covers this problem. I called my indy shop and they were the ones that told me to call MB immediately. They believe that MB should fix this. I have already recevied a call back from MB about it, but I missed the call.
I have a couple of questions:
1. Has this ever happened to anyone else on here?
2. Do you have any suggestions about how to handle this with MB?
My belief is that this is not a normal mechanical failure, such as a belt or alternator. This is a purely a defect which could have been a disaster. I can only imagine what might have happened had the driver airbag gone off while was I was running down the interstate.
Help a brother out here.
BAM
I was totally disoriented. Since I turned 40 a few months ago, I have noticed that my reflexes are not what they used to be, but this was ridiculous. I had no idea what just happened. In all honesty, I thought I had been shot. Then I thought I must have been in an accident. Finally, when the smoke cleared (literally), I figured out that the curtain airbags on the passenger side went off. In addition, my seatbelt went cowgirl tight, the car immediately began dialing 911 and the hazard lights came on.
I finally got everything shut off and my seatbelt unlatched. I began thinking that I must have hit something. The short version of the story is that I did not hit anything. I didn't hit so much as a pot hole. The airbags just went off. Thank goodness that no one was in the car at the time. I could not help but think about my 6 month old being in the back when the rear door air bag went off. I am very fortunate in that regard.
I called 800.for.merc and my car was towed in. I have an 04 with 65K or so on the clock. I do have an extended warranty, but I have no idea yet at this point whether it covers this problem. I called my indy shop and they were the ones that told me to call MB immediately. They believe that MB should fix this. I have already recevied a call back from MB about it, but I missed the call.
I have a couple of questions:
1. Has this ever happened to anyone else on here?
2. Do you have any suggestions about how to handle this with MB?
My belief is that this is not a normal mechanical failure, such as a belt or alternator. This is a purely a defect which could have been a disaster. I can only imagine what might have happened had the driver airbag gone off while was I was running down the interstate.
Help a brother out here.
My car is newer with fewer miles and no I havent had this happen and dread the day it does...if at all.
It would sound to me that MB will take care of this. I guess I could be wrong, but thats the angle I would be approaching this from. Extended warranty or not.
Best of luck and keep us updated with what happens!
#3
#5
#6
I just left the dealership. Apparently, the deployment was NOT inadvernent, as there was a small bit of damage on the underneath of the car. It appears that a piece of metal or other object must have been laying on the road that I neither saw nor heard. The object bounced into the side rail which left a nickel sized hole in the black undercarriage cover and dent in the side rail, causing the airbags to deploy on the passenger side of the car.
I probably didn't hear the object hit because of the instantaneous explosion inside the car.
This is going to be expensive, but is not the fault of MB. I have no idea what it was and from the size of the dent, it was probably not very big. I guess the cars in front and behind me were just luckier than I was.
Thanks for the support and info, however.
I probably didn't hear the object hit because of the instantaneous explosion inside the car.
This is going to be expensive, but is not the fault of MB. I have no idea what it was and from the size of the dent, it was probably not very big. I guess the cars in front and behind me were just luckier than I was.
Thanks for the support and info, however.
#7
Since I turned 40 a few months ago, I have noticed that my reflexes are not what they used to be, but this was ridiculous.
HAHA!! Your jinxing me!! I turned 40 in January...
I could not help but think about my 6 month old being in the back when the rear door air bag went off.
HAHA!! Your jinxing me!! I turned 40 in January...
I could not help but think about my 6 month old being in the back when the rear door air bag went off.
I love my MB for safety, so i hope yours comes out fine. I have no issues on the company making marketing choices based on ROI, but would hate to think that they would not want to make sure that this is "normal". I guess you have to pay, but I'd say it is on the edge of the grey zone of a warranty or personal issue. I'd have to see the damage. The point is not was there a hit. the point is should that hit have deployed any airbags? If so, then the car did as it should and you are SOL (but safe). If that is just how it works, then you can beg the question of just what was that deployment protecting? For example, you will hear of many impacts including those that cause body damage where the airbags DO NOT deploy. members ask if their system is bad or whatever only to find out that the airbags would not have done anything in that situation and therefore were not designed to deploy. Like I say, fine line.
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#9
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,761
Likes: 4
From: North Carolina
98 Black C43 , 08' ML320 CDI ,11 E63
It appears that a piece of metal or other object must have been laying on the road that I neither saw nor heard. The object bounced into the side rail which left a nickel sized hole in the black undercarriage cover and dent in the side rail, causing the airbags to deploy on the passenger side of the car.
#10
I'm glad you are OK man.
Now, I thought you needed to activate at least two sensors in order to deploy the airbags... I will get a second opinion before jumping into conclusions. Call Sunil from Motorwerks at 832 419 8084 to see what he says.
Now, I thought you needed to activate at least two sensors in order to deploy the airbags... I will get a second opinion before jumping into conclusions. Call Sunil from Motorwerks at 832 419 8084 to see what he says.
#11
Banned
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,735
Likes: 1
CLK 63 Black Series, 2009 S550, 2011 Range Rover Supercharged, BMW F800 GS Anniv Edition
BTW - I grew up in OKC
#12
The object could have hit the car in the vicinity of one of the air bag sensors. That might explain how such a small impact put the SRS into action. At least we know the system is sensitive and that it works well when triggered. Glad there were no injuries.
#14
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,642
Likes: 11
From: Caribbean/Florida/Colorado
E-ZGO 53hp., 1999 E 430 sport, 2004 E 55, 2008 Tahoe LTZ on 24"s
Side impact sensors must be on a "hair pin trigger" cause there is no crush zone.
I would be interested in any photos you may have, of the damaged areas.
I would be interested in any photos you may have, of the damaged areas.
#15
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 284
Likes: 0
From: West San Jose, CA (bay area)
2005 E55 AMG, 2005 E46 M3 ZCP
this happend with my M3. driving down a road doing 55 and bam airbags deploy.
longstory short, towed to dealership. they called BMW N/A> they sent out a investigations team. fixed under warranty. for those 3 weeks i got a cadillac CTS-V as a loaner. and they gave me a free extended maintanence plan when i threatened a lawsuit.
longstory short, towed to dealership. they called BMW N/A> they sent out a investigations team. fixed under warranty. for those 3 weeks i got a cadillac CTS-V as a loaner. and they gave me a free extended maintanence plan when i threatened a lawsuit.
#16
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,080
Likes: 84
From: San Jose, CA
'14 E63s Estate, '21 RR P525, '22 GMC 2500, '23 G63
if it was set off due to faulty system = PAID
glad you are alright. if does tip in your favor could be a great time to pick up a new E63 at dealer cost and have them give you top dollar for your 55.
glad you are alright. if does tip in your favor could be a great time to pick up a new E63 at dealer cost and have them give you top dollar for your 55.
#17
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,310
Likes: 8
From: Denver, CO
Formula Mazda, Beast Junior...400HP 135i
Sorry to hear that!
As to the deployment, it should take a "significant" SIDE IMPACT to set those bags off. If you were going down the road forwards and hit something hard enough to deploy them, the fronts should have gone off. I think the dealership is trying to save their butts.
One thing to check is if the damage to the car looks fresh or has it been there a while (is there any dirt in or on it)?
I would call your insurance company and based on your answer to the question above, let them know what you found. Either they will cover it, or MB will.
As to the deployment, it should take a "significant" SIDE IMPACT to set those bags off. If you were going down the road forwards and hit something hard enough to deploy them, the fronts should have gone off. I think the dealership is trying to save their butts.
One thing to check is if the damage to the car looks fresh or has it been there a while (is there any dirt in or on it)?
I would call your insurance company and based on your answer to the question above, let them know what you found. Either they will cover it, or MB will.
#18
Now you guys are making me feel weird about this. I took what they told me as gospel. I wish I would have taken pictures of the damage. There was damage in either 2 or 3 places on the undercarriage. The front-most damage was done to the black plastic cover under the engine. It put a hole in the plastic there.
The second spot was the spot on the side rail. I am operating from memory here, but my recollection is that it was under the B pillar between the two doors. There was a nickel to quarter sized whole in the black plastic with a similar sized dent in the metal. The tech told me that is what set off the airbags.
The insurance adjustor looked at it today and cleared it for repair. Should I get pictures taken?
The second spot was the spot on the side rail. I am operating from memory here, but my recollection is that it was under the B pillar between the two doors. There was a nickel to quarter sized whole in the black plastic with a similar sized dent in the metal. The tech told me that is what set off the airbags.
The insurance adjustor looked at it today and cleared it for repair. Should I get pictures taken?
#19
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,761
Likes: 4
From: North Carolina
98 Black C43 , 08' ML320 CDI ,11 E63
#20
this sounds like BS from the dealer, they'll come up with anything to show they "should" have gone off.... those are side impact air bags, not under car impact airbags....
I just left the dealership. Apparently, the deployment was NOT inadvernent, as there was a small bit of damage on the underneath of the car. It appears that a piece of metal or other object must have been laying on the road that I neither saw nor heard. The object bounced into the side rail which left a nickel sized hole in the black undercarriage cover and dent in the side rail, causing the airbags to deploy on the passenger side of the car.
I probably didn't hear the object hit because of the instantaneous explosion inside the car.
This is going to be expensive, but is not the fault of MB. I have no idea what it was and from the size of the dent, it was probably not very big. I guess the cars in front and behind me were just luckier than I was.
Thanks for the support and info, however.
I probably didn't hear the object hit because of the instantaneous explosion inside the car.
This is going to be expensive, but is not the fault of MB. I have no idea what it was and from the size of the dent, it was probably not very big. I guess the cars in front and behind me were just luckier than I was.
Thanks for the support and info, however.
#21
I went over a loose manhole cover and it kicked up as the left front tire went over it and ripped a hole under the drivers seat and shattered the lower rail under the drivers door. It was a hard hit and the manhole cover was launched 20 feet. No airbag deployment and no fault messages happened. There was a hole through the floorpan when the drivers seat and carpet came out I could put my hand through. It missed the fuel lines by a few inches. With all that damage and no airbag deployment I dont see how a small dent could set anything off. Someone needs to get a diagram with the location of all the airbag sensors. I dosnt make sense for a single sensor to set the airbags off by itself anyways I would think it would require side a side impact sensor and some type of center sensor detecting decelleration or a hard strike.
Will
Will
#22
OK. I just went to the dealer and took a few pictures. I did not have my digital camera at the office today, so I had to borrow my secretary's disposable camera that she takes to the bar with her. I took 6 pictures of the undercarriage, because that is all that was left on her camera. I also took 3 with my phone. I have to wait until Monday on the ones from the disposal camera. Please bear with me on the ones from my phone.
The first 2 pictures are of the dent which they say caused the bags to deploy. The last one is of a slice taken out of part of the gas tank. It did not puncture the gas tank. The damage is not nearly what is shown in the above post. I know the quality sucks, but it is the best I can do right now.
I have not posted pictures on here before, so I hope this works.
The first 2 pictures are of the dent which they say caused the bags to deploy. The last one is of a slice taken out of part of the gas tank. It did not puncture the gas tank. The damage is not nearly what is shown in the above post. I know the quality sucks, but it is the best I can do right now.
I have not posted pictures on here before, so I hope this works.
#23
Mercedes Tech center info looks to show sensors in the passenger footwell area...
See page 7 of this doc...
http://www.mercedestechstore.com/pdf...2008-22-02.pdf
See page 7 of this doc...
http://www.mercedestechstore.com/pdf...2008-22-02.pdf
#24
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,310
Likes: 8
From: Denver, CO
Formula Mazda, Beast Junior...400HP 135i
IMHO, It is highly unlikely that that damage caused the airbags to deploy. Even if the damage is in the area of a sensor, they are just not that sensitive. In general, these sensors measure deceleration NOT impact. In other words, a minor impact to the bottom of the car would do nothing and it takes very little to cause the damage you have in those pics.
#25
My Air Bag Woes...
My bags went for no reason... however there are small scratches on the undercarrage... Look at the pictures and you decide if it would have caused the side airbags to go off.... Both of them in the seats.
Here is my thread...
https://mbworld.org/forums/slk-class-r171/265355-airbags-deployment.html
Here is my thread...
https://mbworld.org/forums/slk-class-r171/265355-airbags-deployment.html