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Isuzu Ascender Air Bags Side/window Safety Report | Dec 22, 2009
Reported on Dec 22, 2009
| DECEMBER 22ND MY SON WAS DRIVING THE FAMILY ISUZU ASCENDER, (BASICALLY AN UPSCALE RE-BADGED CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER) WHEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING ALL THE SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. FORTUNATELY HE WAS ABLE TO SAFELY STOP THE VEHICLE, ALBEIT HE WAS SEVERELY STUNNED, DAZED, AND HIGHLY CONFUSED FROM THE ABRUPT EXPLOSION, AND VIOLENT FORCEFUL PROJECTION OF THE BAGS. WE CONTACTED OUR INSURANCE CARRIER AMERIPRISE, AND FILED A DAMAGE CLAIM (REP 888-404-5365 EXT. 6555 ). A FIELD ADJUSTER CAME TO OUR HOME WHERE WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED, AND EXAMINED THE CAR FOR POSSIBLE IMPACT OR AN UNKNOWN COLLISION. CONSEQUENTLY SINCE THE AIRBAG DAMAGE WAS APPARENTLY NOT THE RESULT OF AN ACCIDENT; THE INSURANCE COMPANY DENIED OUR CLAIM AND REFERRED US TO ISUZU FOR SATISFACTION. WE CALLED ISUZU AMERICA OWNER RELATIONS SEEKING SOME ASSISTANCE (REP 800-255-6727 EXT 272) HOWEVER WE WERE TOLD WE NEEDED TO TOW THE VEHICLE 54 MILES TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP. ONCE IT ARRIVED AT THE REPAIR FACILITY, WE COULD HAVE THE SUV AIRBAG DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM COMPLETELY CHECKED FOR CAUSE. OF COURSE EVEN THOUGH WE HAD BEEN TOLD DIFFERENTLY BY ISUZU AMERICA, THE COST BURDEN WAS COMPLETELY AT OUR EXPENSE. ELK GROVE VW (916-405-2643 REP) RAN A DIAGNOSTIC OF THE SYSTEM, AND CONCLUDED THERE WAS A ¿GLITCH IN THE SYSTEM¿; AND THIS MALFUNCTION RESULTED IN THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, AND THE SEATBELT MECHANISM TO LOCK. THE REPAIR COST OF THE GLITCH ALONE, WILL COST US IN EXCESS OF $5600. IN ADDITION TO THE DIAGNOSTIC AND TOW. OUR INSURANCE COMPANY IS NOT A FURTHER RESOURCE FOR ASSISTANCE, AND ISUZU IS ASSUMING NO RESPONSIBILITY, BASED SOLELY ON THE VEHICLE BEING BEYOND THE ELECTRICAL WARRANTY PERIOD. WHEN WE PURCHASE THIS ISUZU NEW, WE PAID A MAJOR PREMIUM TO HAVE SIDE IMPACT AIRBAGS. THIS COSTLY OPTION WE FELT WAS WARRANTED IN ORDER TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SAFETY TO OUR FAMILY. INSTEAD THEIR PROTECTION HAS BEEN SERIOUSLY JEOPARDIZED, AND UNFORTUNATELY IS NOW A MAJOR SAFETY LIABILITY AND EXPENSE. *TR | |
| Make: | Isuzu |
| Model: | Ascender |
| Manufactured by: | ISUZU MANUFACTURING SERVICES OF AMERICA |
| Year: | 2005 |
| Was a crash reported? | N |
| Was an injury reported? | |
| Was a death reported? | |
| Was a fire reported? | N |
| Location: | BRENTWOOD CA |
| Vehicle Identification Number (VIN): | |
| Mileage: | 90000 miles. |
| Speed: | 15 MPH |
| Number of cylinders: | |
| Vehicle type: | |
| Vehicle fuel: | |
| Was a police report filed? | N |
| Tire size: | |
| Dealer name and location: | |
| Previous Report:Air Bags Side/window | Next Report:Seat Belts |