| Issue ID | 720818 |
| Internal NHTSA # | 10266063 |
| Manufacurer | CHRYSLER LLC |
| Brand | DODGE |
| Model | GRAND CARAVAN |
| Model Year | 2008 |
| File date | 13/04/09 |
| Component | AIR BAGS:FRONTAL |
| Product type code | VEHICLE |
| Description of the problem | While pulling into a parking space in a strip mall, my drivers side steering wheel air bag deployed. There was no contact of any kind with another vehicle or object on the pavement. My right arm was injured with lacerations and contusions, although not serious enough to see a doctor. The next day, i took it into the dodge dealer for what i thought would be a warranty repair. The service manager said it looked to him like it had a front impact. I couldn't see any damage or indication of an impact , but he was quite sure and suggested i call my insurance company. The insurance adjuster said there had been a front impact. I have not had an impact of any kind since i purchased the vehicle approx. 6 months ago. I, of course, can not say it was never hit while parked in a parking lot. I can say the vehicle was not left unattended in a parking lot for 48 hours before the air bag deployed. I am concerned that an air bag can deploy, without warning, several hours, days, or weeks after the impact. If i had been traveling on the interstate highway when the bag deployed there could easily have been fatalities. By the way, the dodge dealer checked the computer controller and says there is absolutely nothing on it. I have ordered a new air bag and controller. |
| Vehicle Mileage at Failure | 33600 |
| Number of Occurences | 1 |
| Source of the issue | NHTSA WEB SITE |
| City and State | GREEN BAY , WI |
| VIN pattern | 1D8HN54P08BXXXXXX |
| Was vehicle invloved in a crash? | N |
| Was vehicle involved in a fire? | N |
| Was incedent reported to police? | N |
| Was medical attention required? | |
| Was part original equipment? | |
| No. of injured persons | 1 |
| No. of fatalities | 0 |
| Date of purchase | 07/08/26 |
| Was original owner? | N |
| Anti-lock brakes | N |
| Cruise control | N |
| Number of cylinders | |
| Drive train type | |
| Transmission type | |
| Vehicle speed | 3 |
| DoT tire identifier | |
| Tire size | |
| Location of tire code | |
| Type of tire failure code | |
| Was defective tire repaired? | |
| Date of manufacture | |
| Type of child seat code | |
| Type of restraint | |
| Dealer's name | |
| Dealer's telephone number | |
| Dealer's city | |
| Dealer's state code | |
| Dealer's ZIP code |