| Issue ID | 661925 |
| Internal NHTSA # | 10217013 |
| Manufacurer | MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. |
| Brand | MERCEDES BENZ |
| Model | C55 |
| Model Year | 2005 |
| File date | 21/01/08 |
| Component | AIR BAGS:FRONTAL |
| Product type code | VEHICLE |
| Description of the problem | I am very concerned that the air bag release mechanism; of my car a 2005 mercedes benz c55 amg, is defective. I was involved in 2 accidents, 1st a right frontal with severe damage needing $26,000 in repairs, and the 2nd a left frontal that caused so much damage that my insurer may total the vehicle. The 2nd accident caused multiple fractures in my neck vertebrae and could have been fatal or left me quadriplegic but due to multiple neurosurgeries by the expert in the field, i survived. In neither accident did the air bags deploy and i am strongly concerned that the release mechanism is defective. The vehicle is still at the repair yard awaiting a decision to repair or salvage(no work has been done yet) since the 2nd accident. |
| Vehicle Mileage at Failure | 28000 |
| Number of Occurences | 2 |
| Source of the issue | NHTSA WEB SITE |
| City and State | LAVERNE, CA |
| VIN pattern | WDBRF76J35FXXXXXX |
| Was vehicle invloved in a crash? | Y |
| Was vehicle involved in a fire? | N |
| Was incedent reported to police? | Y |
| Was medical attention required? | |
| Was part original equipment? | |
| No. of injured persons | 1 |
| No. of fatalities | |
| Date of purchase | 31/03/05 |
| Was original owner? | Y |
| Anti-lock brakes | Y |
| Cruise control | Y |
| Number of cylinders | 8 |
| Drive train type | RWD |
| Transmission type | AUTO |
| Vehicle speed | 30 |
| 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 | PENSKE MERCEDES BENZ |
| Dealer's telephone number | 626-859-1200 |
| Dealer's city | COVINA |
| Dealer's state code | CA |
| Dealer's ZIP code |