1998 Dodge Neon: airbags did not deploy in a crash

Filed Aug 11, 2014 · Airbags · 60,000 miles · NV · crash · 1 injury

1998 dodge neon was forced off the roadway by a mitsubishi eclipse that turned across 19 year old female drivers lane of travel. Sideswipe caused left front control arm to collapse, vehicle briefly bottomed onto pavement, leaving a short distance gouge mark. The neon then jumped onto a curb and impacted a utility pole head on at an estimated 27-35mph impact speed. This accident occurred on nellis boulevard in las vegas, nevada. The frontal impact airbags did not deploy, female driver had severe neck injuries that resulted in a stroke and permanent disability. Trw claims the system performed exactly as designed. They claim their 1998 veam crash sensing algorithm ascertained that the driver would have been out of position at the time of the utility pole impact and the depowered airbag would have caused more harm than good. I am the expert witness on this case for the plaintiff against trw. This defect in the design of the sensing system is an indication of why this subject vehicle and its similar model years has an exorbitantly high number of non deployment of front airbags complaints in the federal safety agency complaints database compared to its peers. I am reporting this at the behest of defense counsel, who claims that my failure to report this defect is actually a failure of me to provide a service to consumers. I would be glad to discuss this and many other cases with the federal safety agency personnel, as I believe this defense counsel critique actually opens up a great opportunity for me to work directly with the federal safety agency to provide more immediate feedback on serious defects that have been occurring in the field on some systems. I would be happy to discuss my proposal with the federal safety agency on how we might be able to cooperate on narrowing down frivolous claims, but setting a high priority on real issues that typically result in lawsuits but are not necessarily brought to the federal safety agency's attention.

Filed Oct 11, 2005 · Airbags · 153,000 miles · VA · crash

Dt: the contact's daughter was involved in a car accident on october 7, 2005. Upon impact, the front air bags did not deploy. This was front end collision. Has not contacted the manufacturer at this point.

Filed Jun 9, 2005 · Airbags · 10,000 miles · AR · crash · 1 injury

Dt: 1998 dodge neon, when consumer was involved in accident the front driver's side and the front passanger side air bags did not deploy.

Filed Sep 20, 2003 · Airbags · TX · crash · 3 injuries

1998 dodge neon have had several wrecks and my air bags never deployed.

Filed Nov 20, 2002 · Airbags · MA · crash

Consumer states that when hit at 30mph in the front center of the vehicle the air bag did not deploy causing minor injuries to the consumer. Dealer notified tf

Filed Apr 2, 2001 · Airbags · IN · crash · 1 injury

Driver's and passenger's air bags failed to deploy when vehicle was involved in a frontal collission while consumer's daughter was traveling at approximately 30 MPH. Please provide any additional information/attachments.

Filed Jan 23, 2001 · Airbags · KS · crash

While traveling about 40 MPH vehicle struck a parked car, and airbags did not deploy. Has not been in any accidents.

Filed Jan 17, 2001 · Airbags, Seat belts · WA · crash · 1 injury

Rear ened another car at 25 m.p.h and the driver and passenger side air bags did not deploy. Also the driverside seat belt did not lock thus causing me to hit the steering wheel and a trip to the emergency room!

Filed Jan 5, 2001 · Airbags · KY · crash

Consumer was involved in 30 MPH frontal collision in which driver's and passenger's air bags did not deploy, cause unknown. Please give further details.

Filed Dec 19, 2000 · Airbags · PA · crash · 3 injuries

Vehicle experienced a head-on collision with another vehicle at 35-40 MPH. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy until one minute or more after impact, 3 people sustained injuries due to the accident.

Filed Sep 27, 2000 · Airbags · OK · crash · 2 injuries

I was recently in a front offset (passenger side)impact collision in my dodge neon, and the passenger air bag did not deploy. My husband was driving and I was the passenger. He had the cruise set at 70 MPH when another vehicle turned in front of us. We left 102' of skid marks before the poi and travelled another 22' before the por. I contacted dc about the problem, but I have been brushed off. They have said that they did an investigation, and the rate of deceleration was not met. However, my car has been totaled out by the insurance company, and it looks like a crushed aluminum can on the front passenger side. The windshield is cracked, and I know that we were going at least 30 MPH when we hit the other vehicle. The road is a highway that has recently had new blacktop laid, and is very slick. I do not even know if this matter has been investigated. The supposed investigator looked at the car on sept 19, and the letter that I received regarding that is dated sept 21. Two days doesn't seem like a long time to me for a thorough investigation into the matter. Especially when the "investigator" could not have looked at the vehicle until late afternoon on the 19th as I was at the salvage yard removing things from my vehicle because it had been totaled by the insurance adjuster for the man who turned in front of us. I am sorry to take up too much of your time. Thank you for your help. Sincerely, jamie easly.

Filed Sep 6, 2000 · Airbags · IL · crash · 1 injury

While driving at 35mph had a frontal impact with a subaru legacy, and driver/ passenger airbags did not deploy, and did not protect occupants in this crash. No prior problems with the airbag system.