On a rainy night, I skidded into the back of a 1995 Camry, hitting its bumper on my driver's side at about 5-10 mph. No damage to the Toyota. Six inch crease in my bumper. No big deal other than the fact that my passenger side front airbag deployed - not the driver's side where the impact occured. Huh? $3,000 to repair the airbag and dash when it never should have deployed? There was no passenger and I thought the "Passenger Presence Detection" system was supposed to prevent that but apparently the Tib is the only model that doesn't have the PPD feature. If I turn this in to my insurance co., my premiums go up 60%, more than the repair is worth.
At what point is the airbag system defective? If I kick the bumper and it deploys, is it my fault? Shouldn't this be a warranty issue or am I wasting my time? Dealer says that deployment of any airbag in any accident, no matter how minor, is the owner's problem.
I've found other owners on NT with a similar situation. The 2003's had an airbag recall. Any suggestions or am I just screwed?
At what point is the airbag system defective? If I kick the bumper and it deploys, is it my fault? Shouldn't this be a warranty issue or am I wasting my time? Dealer says that deployment of any airbag in any accident, no matter how minor, is the owner's problem.
I've found other owners on NT with a similar situation. The 2003's had an airbag recall. Any suggestions or am I just screwed?