Airbag Deployment in Park...

[Crawlin]

I'm a new person trying to do as much research as possible on this situation.

This past Sunday, I went out to the highlander and entered into the driver's seat. The g/f opened the passenger door and the rear passenger door to let the dog in. In the middle of all this, I inserted the key as always and started the car in the driveway. A "air compressor" like sound happened and the side impact airbags deployed striking me in my face and upper left shoulder area.

It was JUST the side impact air bags. From the front a-pillar all the way back to the hatch. It happened on BOTH sides. No other bags deployed. Mind you, this was with THREE of the four doors open as well. The vehicle was at idle, in park, in a driveway, 5 seconds after being started.

I am not ok unfortunately(i will live obviously so not downplaying others injuries by any means if similar instances). This is what has led me to do my research.

It was a 2008 Highlander FWD Sport that was purchased less than 6 months ago as a "certified used toyota" from my local dealership.

I am looking to see if anyone has seen any such examples in the past. If you have heard of anything like this. My dealership has given me the "we have never seen such a thing before in all the years of us being here" yet there have been others I'm sure to have had a faulty airbag system that may have gotten it replaced before this situation.

They(the dealer) refused to touch it and said a Toyota Engineer would be in to look at the vehicle. The engineer wrote a diagnostic report stating that it WAS a defect within the air bag system that caused this to happen.

So again, I'm just trying to see if others have had issues with the airbag system, or have had them blow like I described.

Lastly, if that light comes up on your dash, PLEASE PLEASE go get it looked at. The suprise, the knocked unconscious, the hairline fracture in the shoulder and a possible torn tendon is NOT something I want others to have to go through, especially when your work requires free movement of the arms.

Thank you everyone!

[heartdisease]

Wow that sounds scary. I have a Camry that has side curtins, I would like to know if the systems are the same--- could that happen in my car? It is the first I have heard of something like that.

[AlaricD]

File a complaint with the NTSB.

[DeWat]

You mentioned "If that light comes up on your dash". Not downplaying your experience, but was the light already on prior to the incident? Just curious...

DeWat

[PhotonDreams]

I have the '08 Highlander Basic. Just went out and tested it in the same sequence you described. Did it three times (minus the dog), and had no problem. Sorry to hear it banged you. Thanks for the notice. Sure hope it's a one of a kind event.

[TrailDust]

Originally Posted by DeWat

You mentioned "If that light comes up on your dash". Not downplaying your experience, but was the light already on prior to the incident? Just curious...

DeWat

Ditto for me on that question too. Also, did the engineer specify what the defect was within the airbag system that caused the deployment? BTW, thanks for posting up the report.

[summerwind]

I had to have the SRS computer replaced after a fault code displayed.

You might have had the SRS computer going bad.

Toyota should step up and make things right.

[Crawlin]

Complaint filed with the NHTSA
Police report filed
Insurance filed

The light was on when we purchased the vehicle. We inquired about the light to the salesperson and sales manager. We were told that the light on the dash on the gauge cluster shows if the passenger side airbag is "armed". We inquired why they would need two lights for the same thing so close but was again said that they didn't know. It cycled off when I wasn't in the car.

At the time of detonation the light was NOT on. However it had been on and it was brought in for service the week before when all the other recalls were done. The dealership did not reset the "maintenance required" light for the oil change stuff so it was even brought BACK in and checked and again dealership said no issue. When it was picked up, light was not on.

[Crawlin]

Thank you again to all that are posting.

[JMSinMD]

I used to be a Toyota service adviser and I also used to work with the tech that certified the used cars for being in the Toyota Certified Used Vehicle (TCUV) Program. There were plenty of cars traded in or bought at auction that couldn't be certified from either being in major accidents including rolled over, sludged engines, etc, etc. The technician and I would both inform sales that these vehicles could not be sold as TCUV.

Sales would the proceed in forging the paperwork and sending it on to Toyota as being TCUV vehicles as well as selling them as such. I remember seeing a Matrix come in with severe engine sludge that was sold as TCUV. Sales forgot to send in the paperwork so the General Sales Manager and Service Manager got together and 'hatched a plan' to submit the repair order under a different VIN to get it paid for and did the work on the Matrix with sludge.

Dealerships are not better, nor more honest than smaller mom and pop places, I myself would never take my car to a Toyota dealership for service. The only thing I buy there is parts and have my mechanic install them, other than my weekly car wash at the dealership they'll never see my car on the rack.

To the original poster, maybe pull a CarFax on your vehicle or take it to an independent body shop to see if there are signs of a previous accident.

[TrailDust]

Crawlin, what the defect was within the airbag system that caused the deployment?