2002 Toyota Camry Air Bags

I PURCHASE A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY IN AUGUST 2003 FROM REINHART TOYOTA IN MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA. THE VEHICLE WAS CERTIFIED USED WITH ONLY ABOUT 19000 ON THE ODOMETER. BECAUSE IT WAS CERTIFIED USED I ASSUMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REVIEWED TO ENSURE THAT IT HAD ALL OF ITS PARTS AND THEY OPERATED PROPERLY. I HAVE DRIVEN THE VEHICLE FOR ALMOST NINE YEARS WITHOUT ANY MAJOR ISSUES. ABOUT A YEAR OR TWO AGO, THE AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND STAY ON IN THE VEHICLE WHEN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE GOT HOT BUT I DID NOT TAKE IN TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT THAT TIME. UNTIL RECENTLY WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BOB HOWARD TOYOTA IN EDMOND, OKLAHOMA TO REPLACE THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE (WHICH WAS MY THIRD TIME REPLACING IT) DURING THIS TIME I THOUGHT IT WAS GOOD IDEA TO HAVE THE TECHNICIAN CHECK OUT THE AIRBAG LIGHT ALSO. AFTER THE TECHNICIAN CONDUCTED THEIR REVIEW THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE A PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. THEY INSTALLED RESISTORS TO KEEP THE AIRBAG LIGHT FROM COMING ON TO WARNING ME ABOUT THE ISSUE. THIS GAVE ME A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY BY INTENTIONALLY FALSIFYING INFORMATION ABOUT THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO EARN A PROFIT, THEREFORE ENDANGERING THE LIVES OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS. IF THE LIGHT WOULD HAVE COME ON BEFORE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE I WOULD HAVE ASKED ABOUT IT BUT IT DID NOT. IF THEY SELL A CERTIFIED USED VEHICLE AND THEY MENTION THAT IT HAS DUAL-SIDE AIRBAGS, THE CONSUMER SHOULD NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE COMPANY LYING TO THEM ABOUT IT. I HAVE DRIVEN THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT NINE YEARS WITH THE ASSUMPTION I HAD DUAL AIRBAGS IN MY VEHICLE TO RECENTLY FIND OUT THAT I BEEN LIED TO FOR THE PAST NINE YEARS. NOW, I AM BEING HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR A DEFECT THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN CORRECTED DURING THE CERTIFICATION OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS UNFAIR HAVE THE CUSTOMER PAY FOR SOMEONE ELSES MISTAKE. THEY ARE NOW REFUSING TO CORRECT THE MISTAKE. *TR

27 MAY 2011 1. EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE: THE CAR BATTERY, INCORRECTLY PLACE DIRECTLY OVER THE LEFT SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR NORMALLY LEAKED WATER AND ACID ONTO THE WIRING HARNESS OPENING THE CIRCUIT AND CAUSING THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO GO ON AND THE CAR SAFETY AIR BAGS TO BE DISABLED. THE LEFT SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR MAYBE MOVED SO THAT IT IS NOT UNDER THE CAR BATTERY OR THE SENSOR COULD BE SHIELDED, SUCH AS A SPLASH GUARD. 2. THE FAILURE, HOW OFTEN IT OCCURS, IT CONSEQUENCES: THIS IS A 2002 OR 8 YEAR OLD CAR; HOWEVER, I WOULD ESTIMATE THIS FAILURE COULD OCCUR WITHIN 6 MONTHS TO FOUR YEARS. THE CONSEQUENCES ARE THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULD ALWAYS FAIL TO DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT; MAKING THE SAFETY SYSTEM INOPERABLE. 3. WHAT WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE; THE MAIN ENGINE WIRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED; TOYOTA WANTED $3,800 DOLLARS AT FIRST. THE TWO WIRES TO THE AIR BAG SENSOR COULD HAVE A DISCONNECT, SO THAT ONLY THE TWO WIRES TO THE AIR BAG SENSOR COULD HAVE NEEDED TOO BE REPLACED. *TR

AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY ON A FRONTAL CRASH THAT PUSHED DASH INTO MY KNEES AND ENGINE BACK ABOUT 1 FT. I DON'T THINK I WAS INJURED BECAUSE I BRACED THE IMPACT. JUST WHIPLASH AND SORENESS IN ARMS AND KNEES. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY BEING STORED AT THE INSURANCE COMPANY LOT BUT WILL BE JUNKED IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND ALL THREE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE WERE REPORTED INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED AN INSURANCE LOT. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AND THE SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 171,000. UPDATED 07/29/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM TOYOTA REGARDING A RECALL FOR THE SIDE AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR AN INSPECTION AND THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE SIDE AIR BAGS WERE OK. UPDATED 08/03/10.*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACTS VEHICLE WHILE HE WAS AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT PUSHING HIM INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THERE WERE EXTENSIVE DAMAGES TO THE FRONT AND REAR OF THE VEHICLE. TWO PEOPLE WERE INJURED BUT DID NOT GO TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE BODY SHOP AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. A POLICE REPORT IS AVAILABLE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CALLED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,003.

THERE WAS A VIBRATION SOUND ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER CHECKED OUT THE VEHICLE AND INDICATED AIR BAG MALFUNCTION PROBLEM, AND THAT IT MAY DEPLOY OR MAY NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF ACCIDENT. DRIVING THE VEHICLE IS NOT RECOMMENDED DUE TO SAFETY ISSUE. *TR UPDATED 10/10/07 *TR

MY WIFE, AMY S. JENSON, REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE ON S MAIN ST IN FINDLAY, OH. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO FRONT END OF HER CAR. THE ENGINE WAS PUSHED BACK THE BEST PART OF A FOOT BECAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THERE WAS NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT OF ANY SORT FROM THE ACCIDENT. ISN'T THAT WHAT AIR BAGS ARE THERE FOR? AS A RESULT THERE IS SIGNIFICANT BRUISING OF MY WIFE'S HEAD WHERE IT HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND BROKE IT. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS DEFECTIVE AIR BAG IS COMMON AMONG HER CAR TYPE. SHE DRIVES A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH A DEER AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS NO WARNING PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE CONTACT INCURRED A MINOR HEAD INJURY DUE TO STRIKING THE STEERING WHEEL, AND THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT PROCESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER.

WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN, MY 2002 CAMRY XLE HYDROPLANED ON THE INTERSTATE AND FIRST SMASHED HEAD-FIRST INTO A GUARDRAIL BEFORE BEING JOLTED BACK ON TO THE HIGHWAY WHERE IT WAS THEN HIT BROADSIDE BY AN ONCOMING CAR. SERIOUS DAMAGE WAS DONE TO BOTH THE FRONT END, SIDE AND REAR OF THE VEHICLE (FROM IMPACT). THE CAR IS SUPPOSEDLY EQUIPPED WITH SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS AS WELL AS FRONT AIRBAGS. NONE OF THEM DEPLOYED. THE CAR THAT HIT MY CAR, A 1995 SUBURU, HAD DEPLOYED BOTH OF ITS FRONT SEAT AIR BAGS. HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE AND WHY DID IT HAPPEN? *NM

HAD AN SIDE IMPACT ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING MY 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WAS HIT BY A TRUCK TRAVELING BETWEEN 45-50 MPH. STRUCK RIGHT IN FRONT OF DRIVERS DOOR. DRIVERS HEAD WENT THROUGH DRIVERS WINDOW. VEHICLE WAS EQUIPED WITH SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED ENOUGH TO BE CONSIDERED TOTALED. (ESTIMATE WAS OVER $23,000) TO FIX. WANT TO KNOW WHAT WENT WRONG? PAID EXTRA FOR AIRBAGS THAT DIDN'T WORK. WHO'S RESPONSIBLE?

DT: ON JUNE 29, 2005 CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED, AT 65 MPH, AND THEN IT HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF IT. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT KNOW WHY THEY DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. SHE SUSTAINED WHIPLASH AND WA SSEEING A CHIROPRACTOR. THIS HAPPENED IN A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED, AND A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN.*AK

CONSUMER WAS IN AN FRONT END COLLISION ACCIDENT YET THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER WAS GOING THE SPEED OF 35 MPH . *AK *TT *SB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. UPON IMPACT, THE FRONT AND SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS HIT BROADSIDE ON THE PASSENGER'S DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AWAY FROM THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE IS NOW AT A BODY SHOP AWAITING REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND THE CONTACT WAS EXPECTING A RETURN PHONE CALL. *AK

THE CONSUMER REQUEST THAT THE AIR BAGS IN HER 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY BE TURNED OFF BECAUSE SHE ONLY SITS APPR. 6 INCHES FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. *MR *NM

ON 11-14-02 MY WIFE WAS SETTING AT A RED LIGHT AND WAS HIT FROM BEHIND BY A SUV TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, CAUSING $15000.00 IN DAMAGE. THE AIR BAG(S) DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE SLID INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER SUSTAINED FACIAL AND BACK INJURIES.*AK

CONSUMER HAD A COLLISION WITH A POLE WHILE PARKING AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WHILE PARKING CONSUMER'S FOOT SLIPPED OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND HIT THE ACCELERATOR. CONSUMER SUSTAINED SOME TRAUMA TO HER HEARING WHEN SHE HIT THE POLE IN FRONT OF HER. ALSO, CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THIS MODEL OF TOYOTA HAD A RECALL ON AIR BAGS, BUT SHE HAD NOT YET RECEIVED ONE.*AK

MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK IN HIS 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY, LE V6, AND ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLED IN FRONT OF HIM. THE FRONT LEFT DRIVERS SIDE WAS TOTALED. NONE OF HIS AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND HE HAS SUFFERED A CRITICAL SPINAL INJURY. ACCORDING TO THE TOYOTA OWNER'S MANUAL, SHOWING THE PLACEMENT OF THE AIRBAG SENSORS, ALL AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. I HAVE TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO CONTACT TOYOTA'S HEADQUARTERS AND OF COURSE, NO ONE WANTS TO TALK TO YOU OR GIVE YOU ANY INFORMATION. WE BUY TOYOTA VEHICLES BECAUSE OF THEIR SAFTEY AND RELIABILITY, SHAME ON US. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. AS A RESULT, PASSENGER SUSTAINED A BROKEN STERNUM. *AK

FAILURE OF AIR BAGS TO ACTIVATE IN TWO SERIOUS FRONT END CRASHES.*MR THE CONSUMER IS IN POSSESSION OF THE AIR BAG SENSOR FROM THE FIRST CRASH. IN ADDITION, HE WOULD LIKE TOYOTA TO BUY BACK THE VEHICLE WITH APPROPRIATE COMPENSATION. VEHICLE WAS IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS TOTALING $7030.00. (ATTORNEY WROTE ON BEHALF OF CLIENT: DAVID JANG) *PH *JB

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AND THE FRONT AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK *SCC *JB

CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED A FRONTAL CAR CRASH AT 25 MPH BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

CONSUMER HIT A STOPPED VEHICLE, NONE OF THE VEHICLES AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. AS A RESULT DRIVER WAS INJURED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. PH

WHILE DRIVING TO WORK CONSUMER HIT A PATCH OF ICE AND HIT A CAR IN FRONT OF HER. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK *CB *JB