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Mudsprings Champion Author Fresno Posts:52,923 Points:3,075,275 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: May 14, 2012 11:00:16 PM Ignore Mudsprings Report Abuse DETROIT -- Federal safety regulators are investigating a complaint that a car owner's ear was cut in half when a side air bag inflated in a Hyundai Elantra. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Monday on its website that it's investigating to see if the problem will recur in about 123,000 Elantras from the 2012 model year. In a complaint filed with the agency, the Elantra owner said the driver's side curtain air bag inflated in a crash on April 7, and a metal bracket came with it, slicing the owner's ear. The owner gave the agency photos showing a metal component sticking out from the car above the driver's seat. "It appears that the metal component caused a laceration to the driver's ear/face," the NHTSA documents said. Visit The Associated Press for full article

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Message Posted: May 14, 2012 11:00:16 PM

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DETROIT -- Federal safety regulators are investigating a complaint that a car owner's ear was cut in half when a side air bag inflated in a Hyundai Elantra.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Monday on its website that it's investigating to see if the problem will recur in about 123,000 Elantras from the 2012 model year.

In a complaint filed with the agency, the Elantra owner said the driver's side curtain air bag inflated in a crash on April 7, and a metal bracket came with it, slicing the owner's ear. The owner gave the agency photos showing a metal component sticking out from the car above the driver's seat.

"It appears that the metal component caused a laceration to the driver's ear/face," the NHTSA documents said.
Visit The Associated Press for full article

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DrCashFlow Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:7,064 Points:1,627,125 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: May 16, 2012 12:56:09 AM Ignore DrCashFlow Report Abuse Hire an ambulance chaser and settle for a billion
ExplorerWA Champion Author Washington Posts:4,083 Points:797,250 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: May 15, 2012 10:31:40 PM Ignore ExplorerWA Report Abuse Seems at times that air bags can be dangerous.
Tomeboy Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:3,769 Points:560,090 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: May 15, 2012 12:04:22 PM Ignore Tomeboy Report Abuse Unfortunate thing to happen to the driver from a safety component of the car. Thankfully... there was no loss of life incurred from the defective side curtain air bag deployment. However... other car manufacturers and the owners of their cars have suffered injury and death from defective design flaws and applications. Most Famous Recalls Over the Past 25 Years ------------------------------------------ Ford Motor Company - 1978 1.5 Million vehicles recalled Fuel tank design defect made vehicles susceptible to fire in the event of a rear-end collision Over 500 deaths ---------------------------- Ford Motor Company - 1980 20 Million cars and light trucks recalled Automatic transmissions that slipped into reverse 6,000 accidents 1,710 injuries 98 deaths ---------------------------- Ford Motor Company - 1996 8 Million cars recalled Defective ignition switches cause misfires that led to stalling and brake and steering failures 31 injuries 11 deaths ---------------------------- Ford Motor Company - 2001 6.5 Million vehicles recalled Combination of tread separation on Firestone tires and vehicle prone to rollovers during emergency maneuvers over 200 deaths ---------------------------- Ford Motor Company - 1999-2010 14.3 Million vehicles recalled Defective cruise control switch that caused fires 1,100 fires No injuries No deaths ---------------------------- Toyota - 2009-2010 10 Million vehicles recalled Removable floor mat can interfere with the vehicle's accelerator 2,000 accidents 243 injuries 16 deaths [Edited by: Tomeboy at 5/15/2012 1:05:46 PM EST]
TruthMatters Champion Author New Jersey Posts:2,520 Points:533,985 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: May 15, 2012 8:39:25 AM Ignore TruthMatters Report Abuse His life was spared, wasn't it? What else does he want?
TerrySawchuk All-Star Author British Columbia Posts:850 Points:305,395 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: May 15, 2012 6:53:10 AM Ignore TerrySawchuk Report Abuse If it was a bad wreck, I would expect some injuries. It is better than death.
BEGTWO Champion Author Maryland Posts:1,947 Points:724,515 Joined:Sep 2010	Message Posted: May 15, 2012 6:27:07 AM Ignore BEGTWO Report Abuse Sounds Like a lawsuit to me!!! Especially if they wait for the other 100,000 +!!!
jjjleblanc Champion Author Rochester Posts:5,877 Points:1,519,305 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: May 15, 2012 6:22:57 AM Ignore jjjleblanc Report Abuse That's a new one.
bicycle1966 All-Star Author Akron Posts:605 Points:402,590 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: May 15, 2012 6:11:24 AM Ignore bicycle1966 Report Abuse "Having DIE in their name is your first warning!!" -- It's HyunDAI -- Not HyunDIE. Spelling is important.
el_fr Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:3,337 Points:744,700 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: May 15, 2012 6:03:49 AM Ignore el_fr Report Abuse Should be easy to find out
gs7101 Champion Author San Antonio Posts:5,523 Points:388,670 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: May 15, 2012 5:57:37 AM Ignore gs7101 Report Abuse Ouch -- that had to hurt!
Rockyguitar Champion Author Tampa Posts:2,562 Points:1,202,570 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: May 15, 2012 5:51:24 AM Ignore Rockyguitar Report Abuse DETROIT FREE PRESS.....nuff said. (p.s....we love our Hyundais)
kiosk12y Champion Author Tulsa Posts:3,618 Points:681,290 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: May 15, 2012 4:56:12 AM Ignore kiosk12y Report Abuse ouch for ear...does tyson drive one to...
nfldude Champion Author San Diego Posts:3,871 Points:446,555 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: May 15, 2012 2:22:17 AM Ignore nfldude Report Abuse Having DIE in their name is your first warning!!
OHMS Champion Author Orange County Posts:13,722 Points:1,692,855 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: May 15, 2012 2:14:44 AM Ignore OHMS Report Abuse In a complaint filed with the agency, the Elantra owner said the driver's side curtain air bag inflated in a crash on April 7, and a metal bracket came with it, slicing the owner's ear. The owner gave the agency photos showing a metal component sticking out from the car above the driver's seat. Thank God the Driver's door glass didn't take off the driver's ear. They need ankle bags for weed whacking, too.
Amplion Champion Author Oregon Posts:6,772 Points:1,866,035 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: May 15, 2012 1:30:36 AM Ignore Amplion Report Abuse HYUNDAI IS NOT A CAR I WOULD FEEL SAFE IN & NOT ONE THAT I WOULD PURCHASE OR EVEN ACCEPT AS A GIFT !!!!!!
BEngr Champion Author Illinois Posts:6,717 Points:1,580,990 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: May 15, 2012 12:49:13 AM Ignore BEngr Report Abuse The article didn't say if it was a man or woman. It doesn't matter because both sexes wear jewelry in their ears and in a crash an air bag could rip it out. I wonder if the drivers side air bag saved them from worse damage like a fatal head injury.
hubcapLA Champion Author Louisiana Posts:3,905 Points:940,435 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: May 15, 2012 12:30:06 AM Ignore hubcapLA Report Abuse Could be trouble for Hyundai, but then if you chose to driv a toy car, accept what happens.
jadeusa Champion Author Dallas Posts:9,337 Points:1,824,990 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: May 15, 2012 12:27:54 AM Ignore jadeusa Report Abuse recall them
BearGolfn Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:2,214 Points:549,645 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: May 15, 2012 12:24:48 AM Ignore BearGolfn Report Abuse not good, but the airbag still saved him from worse injuries
Bruno44 Champion Author Texas Posts:7,080 Points:1,769,170 Joined:Sep 2007	Message Posted: May 15, 2012 12:21:59 AM Ignore Bruno44 Report Abuse Not good.
no8c Champion Author Ohio Posts:2,809 Points:705,075 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: May 15, 2012 12:19:47 AM Ignore no8c Report Abuse Thanks for posting this article!
nomad228 Champion Author Columbus Posts:3,117 Points:575,140 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: May 15, 2012 12:18:01 AM Ignore nomad228 Report Abuse better to have a laceration than be dead in a toy car /coffin on wheels......now that said this just shows why detroit steel if you will the big three/older models cars and trucks didn't needs air bags to protect you from the vehicle crumbling in a 20-30 mph crash to save a little gas. with built in crumple zones.making your 20-30 k car/truck a "total" wreck.lets see air bags are now know for lung problems,vision problems,and slicing up body parts.seems like this safety device needs to go back to the drawing board for some redsigning/re-engineering.blah blah blah means seems like the trade off for fuel efficiency is turnign around and biting them in the rear end.now for the funny part-from way to much tv- when i heard probe-i flashed on a old black and white movie with non other than a younger james earl jones as alien abduction victim where he and his wife were probed....... : ) told you way to much tv.
Tigercat88 Champion Author North Carolina Posts:3,202 Points:617,840 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: May 15, 2012 12:17:51 AM Ignore Tigercat88 Report Abuse Could be a big problem for Hyundai.
RENEGADEGAS Champion Author Missouri Posts:14,918 Points:1,592,200 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: May 15, 2012 12:17:37 AM Ignore RENEGADEGAS Report Abuse So how much is the gas for one of these cars?
tnfran Champion Author Arizona Posts:4,383 Points:843,165 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: May 15, 2012 12:17:01 AM Ignore tnfran Report Abuse They are supposed to 'protect a person' not injure them. Gov't more 'worried' about aftermath of crashes than trying to keep drunk's and drug users off the highways. How many times do we read about 'habitual drunks 'being picked up for repeat DUI's until someone gets killed or very badly injured before being taken off the roadways?
Jeff4U Champion Author Atlanta Posts:8,761 Points:1,853,345 Joined:Nov 2004	Message Posted: May 15, 2012 12:16:54 AM Ignore Jeff4U Report Abuse It was probably from the cell phone plastered to his face when the airbag deployed.
UseLessGasFolks Champion Author Iowa Posts:5,451 Points:1,296,825 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: May 15, 2012 12:15:17 AM Ignore UseLessGasFolks Report Abuse Probably should use the "blade-free" airbags next time.
MN1 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:3,364 Points:651,565 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: May 15, 2012 12:14:16 AM Ignore MN1 Report Abuse Oops
10k Champion Author North Carolina Posts:21,259 Points:2,254,995 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: May 15, 2012 12:13:54 AM Ignore 10k Report Abuse nevermind the fact that that airbag could have saved his life..
vibdata Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:4,090 Points:849,300 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: May 15, 2012 12:13:21 AM Ignore vibdata Report Abuse Airbags have been known to do far worse than this. As dangerous as they are helpful.
Yugoman Champion Author Greensboro Posts:11,059 Points:1,962,295 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: May 15, 2012 12:12:13 AM Ignore Yugoman Report Abuse Outlaw all air bags!
benjy Champion Author Chicago Posts:8,596 Points:1,788,575 Joined:Nov 2003	Message Posted: May 15, 2012 12:11:20 AM Ignore benjy Report Abuse he is alive right?
10k Champion Author North Carolina Posts:21,259 Points:2,254,995 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: May 15, 2012 12:10:25 AM Ignore 10k Report Abuse 67SS396C: now that's just too funny-snicker..
gas4433 Champion Author Houston Posts:2,357 Points:546,500 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: May 15, 2012 12:09:08 AM Ignore gas4433 Report Abuse Ok
speedys Champion Author Utah Posts:7,017 Points:2,558,885 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: May 15, 2012 12:09:01 AM Ignore speedys Report Abuse Maybe someone left a piece of metal loose in the assembly.
comprof Champion Author Houston Posts:6,864 Points:1,357,725 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: May 15, 2012 12:07:30 AM Ignore comprof Report Abuse 10k: I agree.
Ahking Champion Author Orange County Posts:3,507 Points:603,450 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: May 15, 2012 12:06:25 AM Ignore Ahking Report Abuse wow
67SS396C Champion Author Omaha Posts:14,979 Points:2,254,955 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: May 15, 2012 12:06:03 AM Ignore 67SS396C Report Abuse It was found only to happen with the Mike Tyson model.
mnrick041 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:14,306 Points:1,369,060 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: May 15, 2012 12:04:22 AM Ignore mnrick041 Report Abuse No one ever said that a airbag can't hurt you when it explodes inside your car. Read your owners manual, there are plenty of warnings in there about airbags.
waynester1955 Veteran Author Ontario Posts:284 Points:208,085 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: May 15, 2012 12:03:05 AM Ignore waynester1955 Report Abuse My 2007 Elantra would never do that
10k Champion Author North Carolina Posts:21,259 Points:2,254,995 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: May 15, 2012 12:00:06 AM Ignore 10k Report Abuse the more "safety" added to a car, the more gizmos are added that can go wrong..
JoeKR Champion Author New Jersey Posts:9,473 Points:1,744,470 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: May 14, 2012 11:59:23 PM Ignore JoeKR Report Abuse Best to nip it in the bud than recall 5 years worth of production!
TBONE3 Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:8,751 Points:1,977,625 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: May 14, 2012 11:59:17 PM Ignore TBONE3 Report Abuse This time, the cure was worse than the prevention. Happens that way sometime.
asog75 All-Star Author Indiana Posts:836 Points:278,405 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: May 14, 2012 11:58:17 PM Ignore asog75 Report Abuse how much damage to the car
pgerassi Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:10,901 Points:2,132,580 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: May 14, 2012 11:56:49 PM Ignore pgerassi Report Abuse ok
69Bonne Champion Author Gary Posts:1,155 Points:474,125 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: May 14, 2012 11:54:57 PM Ignore 69Bonne Report Abuse These airbags can be dangerous.
PetroScopper Champion Author Houston Posts:6,625 Points:1,550,910 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: May 14, 2012 11:53:55 PM Ignore PetroScopper Report Abuse I hope this is not something that will turn into a major problem for them.
kosciak Champion Author Hartford Posts:1,106 Points:535,025 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: May 14, 2012 11:51:55 PM Ignore kosciak Report Abuse ok
otherdave Champion Author Indiana Posts:3,393 Points:1,269,160 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: May 14, 2012 11:51:02 PM Ignore otherdave Report Abuse Hate air bags after I saw what they did to my Mother in a single car crash!
Thomtec Champion Author Nashville Posts:2,464 Points:608,145 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: May 14, 2012 11:49:18 PM Ignore Thomtec Report Abuse Ok