| Issue ID | 687329 |
| Internal NHTSA # | 10237625 |
| Manufacurer | TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION |
| Brand | TOYOTA |
| Model | CAMRY |
| Model Year | 2007 |
| File date | 24/07/08 |
| Component | AIR BAGS:FRONTAL |
| Product type code | VEHICLE |
| Description of the problem | Airbag failure - 2007 camry le. I bought this car new due to its airbag safety claims - 7 airbags with one to protect the driver? S legs. None deployed. I traveled on the highway 50-55 mph, a safe distance from the car (bmw) in front of me at rush hour on a sunny dry day. A car cut in front of the bmw causing it to brake instantly, almost coming to a stop. Deceleration was too quick. I went straight into the bmw at full speed. There was no time to hit my brakes. My car didn't? T swerve or dive. I wore my seatbelt but leaned forward slightly while firmly in my seat. My chest struck the steering wheel causing an inward displaced spiral fracture of my sternum. I also sustained a large groin bruise with an internal blood clot and chest bruise due to the seatbelt. Immediately i had difficulty breathing, got out of my car, lied on the pavement to catch my breath. Police/ambulance came quickly, provided oxygen, took me to a hospital. I remained in intensive care for 2 days. The insurance inspector & body shop investigated the car and were surprised the airbags didn't't deploy and couldn't find a reason why the airbags didn't deploy given the damage. The right airbag sensor was bent. My car was deemed totaled. I? M unable to return to my previous work schedule (long hours, intense workload) due to constant pain. I missed 2 weeks of work. Due to the fracture i cannot drive for 6 weeks. I requested that toyota evaluate the car to determine if it was a vehicle-specific defect or the entire line (to prevent future injuries). Instead of disassembly and computer analysis, toyota only reviewed photos and said it functioned as expected." the vehicle was totaled and the impact straight on and high speed. If not sufficient to activate the airbags, then what's their purpose? The vehicle is in storage for examination. Police reports and photos available. I would greatly appreciate nhtsa's response to this report. |
| Vehicle Mileage at Failure | 20281 |
| Number of Occurences | 1 |
| Source of the issue | NHTSA WEB SITE |
| City and State | FORT LEE, NJ |
| VIN pattern | 4T1BE46K37UXXXXXX |
| 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 | 0 |
| Date of purchase | 07/08/26 |
| Was original owner? | N |
| Anti-lock brakes | N |
| Cruise control | N |
| Number of cylinders | |
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| Transmission type | |
| Vehicle speed | 50 |
| DoT tire identifier | |
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| Was defective tire repaired? | |
| Date of manufacture | |
| Type of child seat code | |
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| Dealer's name | |
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