Feds investigating 2012 Hyundai Elantra after airbag separates driver from his earhttp://www.autoblog....ag-separates-d/Safety features like airbags are supposed to keep us safe in the event of a collision. But one driver allegedly met with a nasty surprise when an airbag in his car reportedly sliced his ear in half.
According to the Detroit Free Press, the incident occurred on April 7 when an unnamed owner of a 2012 Hyundai Elantra was in a crash. Apparently the side curtain airbag on the driver's side rapidly inflated (like it's supposed to) but took with it a metal bracket (which it's not). The result was a severe laceration to the driver's ear in an automotive reenactment of Holyfield-Tyson II.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is apparently looking into the event, but has yet to issue a recall. Hyundai for its part insists the incident was isolated, and that it has not received reports of anything similar happening to any other drivers.
Airbags are known to injure, severe and could even kill if the driver and passengers did not sit in proper position during crashes. If driver or front passenger did not fasten seatbelt during frontal collision, it'll instantly kill them with serious trauma. There are even known cases of airbags breaking drivers'/passengers' noses, hands and fingers. Sudden airbag deployment due to faulty sensor is most dangerous.
For this case, when collision happened to this Elantra driver, questions to ask:
1) Did he fasten his seatbelt
2) Is it frontal or side collision
3) What was the position of his head and body when the airbag deploys
4) Was he moving or swinging his head around while listening to radio
This is main reason why I dislike airbag. If possible, I would prefer no airbag since I don't drive reckless nor breaking the law. Just give me ABS, BA, EBD, VSC, TC enough.