Consumer Complaint Detail

CHRYSLER / SEBRING CONVERTIBLE / 1996

Recalls
1 Injured
Investigations
0 Death
Complaints
No Fire
Components - Details
NHTSA Complaint Number: 005029818 Incident Date: Jul, 10 2005
Consumer's City: BOLIVIA Consumer's State: NC
Vehicle Transmission Type: AUTO Manufacturers Name: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Model Name: SEBRING CONVERTIBLE Model Year: 1996
Vehicle Involved in a Crash: No Component's Description: Air bags
Vehicle Involved in a Fire: No Persons Injured: 1
Vehicle's VIN#: 3C3EL45H0TT Date added to File: May, 23 2021
Date Complaint Received: Jul, 20 2005 Complaint Type: IVOQ
Incident Reported To Police: Yes Purchase Date: -
Was Original Owner: No Anti-lock Brakes: Yes
Number of Cylinders: 6 Date of Manufacturer: -
Was Vehicle Towed: - Description of the Complaints: On july 11, 2005 i drove from my home in bolivia, nc to dunn, nc (approx. 125 mi) to pick up my grandson & a friend. while parked in the parking lot of the crackerbarrell restaurant at the intersection of rt 421 & i95, i started the engine and leaned out the window to say goodbye to my daughter. suddenly both front airbags exploded filling the car with smoke and fumes. all three of us immediately exited the automobile. i suffered a severe brused and cut right arm and brusing to the right side of my neck & shoulder and a twisted right knee. i was taken to the hospital in dunn by the paramedics & released. the children were not injured. had the incident occurred five minutes later, we would have been travelling south on #421, a 2 lane hwy used mostly by 18 wheelers and other large trucks. no doubt i would not be here writing this report. i can't imagine being able to retain control of the car if the airbag had exploded in my face while travelling at 55 mph. the airbag on the passenger side exploded with such force that it broke the windshield. the airbag on the dirvers side completely broke off the cruise control mechanism on the right side of the steering column. a police report was filed with the dunn police department (case # oca 2005 01833). the car was left in the parking lot undisturbed until wednesday the 13th, when it was towed to martin's auto body shop on beach road in southport, nc. it remains there undisturbed. on july 15th a mr james williams, sent by chrysler, inspected the car. (file # 13779399). on july 19th state farm sent an inspector. (claim # 330713425, team #44). i am awaiting news from chrysler as to what action they will take to replace, repair or otherwise compensate me for the loss of this vehicle and trauma to me and the children.