2002 Mercury Sable Air Bags & Restraints Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A MULTI VEHICLE CRASH IN WHICH THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED YET THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT AND A PASSENGER SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES AND WERE BOTH TRANSPORTED VIA AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY BUT WAS NOT EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,700.

WENT TO THE PARKING LOT TO START MY CAR. WHEN I TURNED THE IGNITION KEY THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND THEN THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THE CONCERN IS WHAT IF THE CAR HAD STARTED AND I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE AIRBAG WENT OFF FOR NO REASON. *TR

INVOLVED IN MVC. PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED ALTHOUGH NO PASSENGER IN VEHICLE. DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. *TR

2002 MERCURY SABLE NOT EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL "PERSONAL SAFETY SYSTEM" (NO SIDE AIRBAGS OR OCCUPANT SENSORS ON THIS VEHICLE) WAS INVOLVED IN COLLISION. FRONT END DAMAGE APPEARS MINIMAL, MICHIGAN STATE POLICE ESTIMATED VEHICLE SPEED AT COLLISION APPROX. 25 MPG. PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED, DRIVERS AIRBAG DID NOT. THE VEHICLE DID PROTECT THE DRIVER (ME) AND THE SEATBELT SYSTEM WORKED FLAWLESSLY. I COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED BUT WAS NOT. BASED ON EQUIPMENT ON THIS VEHICLE, IF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED THEN THE DRIVERS SHOULD HAVE AS WELL AS IT DOES NOT HAVE THE OCCUPANT SENSORS, ETC. MAIN CONCERN IS IN REPAIR, THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS HAPPENS SOMEWHAT FREQUENTLY AND I AM CONCERNED THE DRIVERS AIRBAG WILL NOT BE REPLACED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE COMING FROM BEHIND HER, JUMPED THE MEDIAN AND CRASHED INTO THE FRONT END OF HER VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE STEERING AND FLOOR COLUMN COLLAPSED, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CRASH DESTROYED THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A SHOULDER HARNESS STRAIN, A FRACTURED STERNUM AND BRUISED RIBS. IN ADDITION, SHE SUSTAINED BRUISES TO HER RIGHT HAND AND LEFT FOOT. THE DRIVER OF THE ONCOMING VEHICLE SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,000. UPDATED 03/10/08 *LJ

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILS TO RETRACT. THE FAILURE PREVENTS ANYONE FROM BEING ABLE TO SIT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 91,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

I PURCHASED A 2002 MERCURY SABLE IN SEPTEMBER OF 2006. ON JANUARY 19TH WHILE TURNING INTO MY DRIVEWAY TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 3-5 MPH BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED CAUSING APPROXIMATELY 4,000.00 DOLLARS IN DAMAGE TO MY CAR. THE DEALER THAT I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM STATED I BOUGHT IT AS IS AND WOULD NOT OFFER ME ANY ASSISTANCE EXCEPT TO TELL ME TO FILE IT WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY. MY INSURANCE COMPANY SENT AN ADJUSTER WHOM SURVEYED THE DAMAGE AND TOLD ME THEY WOULD NOT PAY BECAUSE THERE WAS NO IMPACT. I THEN FILED A COMPLAINT WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY WHO SAID AND I QUOTE "THERE WAS A 50,000 MILE WARRANTY AND THEY COULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. SINCE THIS TIME TO DATE I CANNOT GET INSURANCE OR ANY HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM. I AM STILL PAYING FOR A CAR I AM NOT SUPPOSE TO BE DRIVING. YOUR DEPARTMENT SENT ME A SERVICE TECHNICAL BULLETIN STATING THAT FORD KNEW THEY HAD THIS PROBLEM IN MAY OF 2002. WHAT ELSE CAN I DO? *TR

ON MAY 1, 2006 MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH A DUMP TRUCK. THE AIR BAGS (DRIVER AND PASSENGER) DID NOT DEPLOY ON IMPACT. MY DAUGHTER (WHO IS 15 YEARS OLD AND DRIVING WITH A PERMIT) WAS TRAPPED IN THE CAR. SHE RECEIVED MULTIPLE LACERATIONS, INCLUDING A TORN EAR WHICH WILL REQUIRE SURGERY TO REPAIR IT TO LOOK NORMAL AGAIN. I RECEIVED KNEE AND NECK INJURIES. I CALLED MERCURY CUSTOMER CARE CENTER TO MAKE THE COMPANY AWARE OF THIS SITUATION. I OFFERED TO GIVE THEM THE LOCATION OF MY CAR, IF THEY WISHED TO LOOK AT IT. THE PERSON I SPOKE TO SAID THEY WOULD NOT BE LOOKING AT THE CAR AND HE WOULD MAKE A NOTE OF MY NEGATIVE COMMENT. *NM

AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY IN HEAD ON COLLISION. *BF THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WHICH RESULTED IN A TOTAL LOSS. *SC

COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL. ON THURSDAY 11/18/04 AT APPROXIMATELY 5:30 PM CENTRAL DAYLIGHT TIME I WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS OF MY 2002 MERCURY SABLE LS PREMIUM, ID [XXX]. THE COOK COUNTY POLICE WAS NO THE SCENE AND ISSUED REPORT # 04-140236. FORTUNATELY FOR ME AND THE OTHER DRIVER THERE WERE NO INJURIES REQUIRING TRANSPORTATION BY THE PARAMEDICS AT THE SCENE TO A HOSPITAL. THE AIR BAG SYSTEM ON THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS ACTIVATED AND DID DEPLOY. HOWEVER, MY VEHICLE AIR BAG SYSTEM DID NOT. THIS WAS THE REASON FOR MY CONCERN AND ADVISEMENT TO YOU. MY VEHICLE WAS INSURED BY TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY, AND HAS BEEN HANDLED BY [XXX] , PHONE # 800-842-6172, EXT. [XXX] AT NAPERVILLE, ILLINOIS OFFICE. I HAVE RECEIVED THE CHECK FOR THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE THAT WAS DETERMINED IN THE AMOUNT OF $ 10,905.00 FOR ABOUT 30,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE PICKED UP FROM THE TOWING COMPANY THAT WAS AT THE SCENE AND TRANSPORTED TO A STORAGE FACILITY USED BY TRAVELERS INSURANCE. CONFIRMATION ON THIS DEFICIENCY ON THE AIR BAG SYSTEM CAN BE OBTAINED FROM TRAVELER INSURANCE CO. IF YOU NEED DOCUMENTATION. I HAVE SIGNED AND SENT THE TITLE OF THE VEHICLE TO THEM IN ORDER TO RECEIVE MY CHECK. *AK *NM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED, HOWEVER, DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT. *BF THIS INCIDENT WAS A COLLISION WITH A STATIONARY VEHICLE. *SC *JB

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THROUGH THE PARKING LOT AT WALMART AND HIT A CONCRETE SIDEWALL, AND THEN HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONSUMER CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

DURING A 35 MPH VEHICLE COLLISION FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH VEHICLE WAS IN A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *NLM

DRIVER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 25 MPH. AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DAMAGE TO CAR $12,000.00 *PH

MY WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 25 MPH. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DAMAGE TO CAR WAS $12,000.00. SHE SUFFERED SOFT TISSUE INJURY TO NECK AND NOW IS IN CONSTANT PAIN. CAR WAS REPAIRED BY DEALER, WE NOW HAVE AN ALMOST NEW CAR THAT WE DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN. *PH

RENTAL CAR FORD TAURUS, FRONT PASS SEATBELT TIGHTENED WOULD NOT RELEASE, CUTTING INTO THROAT. RETURNED CAR. REC'D MERCURY SABLE, SAME PROBLEM. WAS STUCK DRIVING 17 HOURS FROM IN TO CT WITH BELT CUTTING INTO THROAT. USED BELT PROPERLY. WHEN LEANING OVER TO PICK UP ITEM FROM FLOOR, OR GLOVE COMPARTMENT BELT WOULD DEPLOY COMPLETELY. UPON RETURNING BODY TO UPRIGHT POSITION, BELT MADE CLICKING NOISES AND TIGHTENED WITH EVERY UPRIGHT MOVEMENT. BECAME EXTREMELY CONSTRICTING. DRIVER HAD TO RELEASE BELT FOR 17 HOUR TRIP. PASS RETRACTED IT COMPLETELY, DEPLOY IT TO USE IT, AND TRIED TO STAY STILL AND NOT MOVE. WHEN MOVEMENT OCCURRED BELT WOULD REACH IT'S END AND START CLICKING AND CONSTRICTING WITH EVERY TINY MOVEMENT. NEEDLESS TO SAY AFTER 17 HOURS OF DRIVING AND TIGHTENING, SKIN UNDER BELT AREA IS VERY TENDER, THROAT IS SORE, ALMOST CHOKED, ALMOST CUT. FOR PART OF TRIP HAD TO PLACE SEAT IN LAYDOWN POSITION TO ALLEVIATE THROAT CONSTRICTION OF BELT. MFG STATES 'THAT IS THE WAY DOT SET UP THE REGULATIONS, AND WE JUST FOLLOW THEM...BELTS ARE MADE FOR US.....NO RECALLS.....NO ADJUSTMENTS CAN BE MADE'. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING OTHERS HAD TO CUT OFF THE BELT. EVEN WENT TO TEST DRIVE THEM, SAME THING HAPPENED. BELT IS MADE FOR CHILD SAFETY? SOME TYPE OF SENSOR? NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED AT ANY TIME. BELT IS MALFUNCTIONING WHEN DEPLOYED ALL THE WAY BY JUST BENDING OVER OR MOVING AROUND. BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT, SOMEONE NEEDS TO RECALL AND RESTYLE THESE EXISTING BELTS. DRIVERS BELT DID NOT HAVE ANY TYPE OF PROBLEMS. BENDING AND LEANING OVER DEPLOYED IT COMPLETELY AND NO RETRACTING OCCURRED AT ALL. VERY DANGEROUS HAVING DRIVER, DRIVING AND TRYING TO RELEASE PASSENGER BELT, AND PASSENGER UNBELTED WHILE TRAVELING RETRACTING AND RESETTING BELT. WE WERE LUCKY WE WERE NOT IN AN ACCIDENT WHILE DEALING WITH THE BELT ISSUE. AS THE BELT WAS UNBUCKLED NUMEROUS TIMES OVER 17 HOURS. CALL IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS AT 860-623-7774. IN GOOD FAITH, DOREEN ALFANO.*AK

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLSION IN WHICH IT HIT A PARKED CAR AND RAN INTO A HOUSE, AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK