Sorry this is a long one..
I've recently read a couple of articles/posts here about other Focus owners experiencing apparent DEFECTIVE airbag sensors. In other words, the airbags have gone off when they should NOT have.
I can attest to this, and would like to here from others that have also experienced what they believe to be DEFECTIVE airbags/sensors. Let's start a list. I believe the NHTSA has a note on this now.
I was involved in an incident in May 2001 where I rear-ended a minivan in stop-go-traffic. The impact occurred at less than 15km/h (probably closer to 10km/h). ALL of the airbag sensors activated, causing both airbags to deploy, smashing the windshield and causing lots of damage to my vehicle. The van I made contact with had a minor scratch on the rear bumper, one so minor that it would likely have buffed out. When I saw the insurance claim of $6800CDN for my vehicle, I flipped, not only because of the insane cost to replace all the parts (and unnecessary other stuff that the body shop included), but because AllState told me not to worry about it even though I was very concerned that it was a Ford DEFECT, and that they should take it up with Ford. They told me not to worry about it, to which I questioned why it would not be in their own best interest to pursue the matter if it really was Ford's fault.
I phoned Ford customer service and was told that airbags on a 2000 Focus ZX3 should deploy at (from memory) 18MPH when contacting a parked vehicle and something like 14-15MPH with a brick wall. (Parked vehicle will 'give' more than a wall). Clearly, mine should NOT have gone off (note my speed above was KM/H, not MPH). I was told I "must have" been going faster. I was not, and have witnesses (I'd only moved forward 10 feet anyhow!).
I was brushed off, both by Ford & by Allstate alike. To make matters worse, because my Focus sustained windshield damage (from the airbag covers), and because the airbags were deployed, I could not drive the car away from the scene of the incident. A cop showed up and promptly gave me a ticket for careless driving. I lost my case, and soon after got my license suspended and my insurance rates TRIPLED to over $700/month. I couldn't afford that, and only now, a full year later am I back on the road, albeit at $500/month insurance (I turned 25 in the meantime).
** ** ** **
I maintain that if the airbags had NOT deployed, I would have been able to drive away from the 'incident' after exchanging information with the other driver, and none of the above would have ever occurred.
Knowing now I am NOT an isolated incident, I am now furious that my insurance company & Ford did nothing when I brought up my concerns at the time.
** ** ** **
What's your stories?
[ 08-25-2002: Message edited by: DanielB_ZX3 ]</p>
I've recently read a couple of articles/posts here about other Focus owners experiencing apparent DEFECTIVE airbag sensors. In other words, the airbags have gone off when they should NOT have.
I can attest to this, and would like to here from others that have also experienced what they believe to be DEFECTIVE airbags/sensors. Let's start a list. I believe the NHTSA has a note on this now.
I was involved in an incident in May 2001 where I rear-ended a minivan in stop-go-traffic. The impact occurred at less than 15km/h (probably closer to 10km/h). ALL of the airbag sensors activated, causing both airbags to deploy, smashing the windshield and causing lots of damage to my vehicle. The van I made contact with had a minor scratch on the rear bumper, one so minor that it would likely have buffed out. When I saw the insurance claim of $6800CDN for my vehicle, I flipped, not only because of the insane cost to replace all the parts (and unnecessary other stuff that the body shop included), but because AllState told me not to worry about it even though I was very concerned that it was a Ford DEFECT, and that they should take it up with Ford. They told me not to worry about it, to which I questioned why it would not be in their own best interest to pursue the matter if it really was Ford's fault.
I phoned Ford customer service and was told that airbags on a 2000 Focus ZX3 should deploy at (from memory) 18MPH when contacting a parked vehicle and something like 14-15MPH with a brick wall. (Parked vehicle will 'give' more than a wall). Clearly, mine should NOT have gone off (note my speed above was KM/H, not MPH). I was told I "must have" been going faster. I was not, and have witnesses (I'd only moved forward 10 feet anyhow!).
I was brushed off, both by Ford & by Allstate alike. To make matters worse, because my Focus sustained windshield damage (from the airbag covers), and because the airbags were deployed, I could not drive the car away from the scene of the incident. A cop showed up and promptly gave me a ticket for careless driving. I lost my case, and soon after got my license suspended and my insurance rates TRIPLED to over $700/month. I couldn't afford that, and only now, a full year later am I back on the road, albeit at $500/month insurance (I turned 25 in the meantime).
** ** ** **
I maintain that if the airbags had NOT deployed, I would have been able to drive away from the 'incident' after exchanging information with the other driver, and none of the above would have ever occurred.
Knowing now I am NOT an isolated incident, I am now furious that my insurance company & Ford did nothing when I brought up my concerns at the time.
** ** ** **
What's your stories?
[ 08-25-2002: Message edited by: DanielB_ZX3 ]</p>
