Big quality problem!!

[whinygirl]

hi,
I am new to this forum. I have a question that I believe some people may be informed about. I am an industrial and mechanical engineer who also worked in some car companies but it has been a while and need to refresh memory. We have a Hyundai Elentra, as a family car. In a heavy rain, the car was flooded with a leakage from the bottom and the when we took it to the mechanic we were informed that the airbag was out of order. We needed to change it. Now, to me this is a big safety issue. How can a car be flooded by rain water and even if so, how can a car company design cars so that the airbag would be destroyed by such a defect? We could have noticed this during an accident as well, losing our lives!! I am suing Hyundai and I need the regulations that are about the quality tests on rain water and safety. Please help me with your knowledge on the issue.

Whinygirl

[tom3]

I really don't know much about this, but many cars have sensors under the seats for airbag deployment. I'd suspect the water got this wet and destroyed it. Don't think I've never heard of water leaking in from the bottom while driving, weird. Hope you get it straightened out.

[Doohickie]

It sounds like you picked your username well.

First of all, you don't say what year the car is. If it has less than 60,000 miles and is less than 5 years old, this should be taken care of by a dealer under warranty (at no cost to you).

Secondly, I'm not sure how the mechanic tied the leak to a bad air bag. What evidence did he give that it was bad? When a car starts up, it checks the air bag electronics to make sure it works; has your Air Bag Light been on?

Also, how do you know where the leak is? Do you know for sure it is on the bottom? Or could it be the sunroof, the windshield, the door seals, etc.?

Although I've heard about a problem or two with leaks around the rear hatch, I've never heard of a leak that could affect the air bag. If the car is out of warranty, and if you bought it used, the problems you are seeing could be the result of prior use and abuse.

[nippjas]

The electronics in the airbag module are conformal coated. i.e. they are hermetically sealed. I think some one is taking you for a ride.

Being an engineer, I would probably do a Gauge R&R on it to try to establish a root cause analysis. Any engineer should know, that we are required to produce data to support claims.

I have to say, due diligence has not been accomplished in this scenario.

[RedScorp]

Originally Posted by whinygirl

hi,
I am new to this forum. I have a question that I believe some people may be informed about. I am an industrial and mechanical engineer who also worked in some car companies but it has been a while and need to refresh memory. We have a Hyundai Elentra, as a family car. In a heavy rain, the car was flooded with a leakage from the bottom and the when we took it to the mechanic we were informed that the airbag was out of order. We needed to change it. Now, to me this is a big safety issue. How can a car be flooded by rain water and even if so, how can a car company design cars so that the airbag would be destroyed by such a defect? We could have noticed this during an accident as well, losing our lives!! I am suing Hyundai and I need the regulations that are about the quality tests on rain water and safety. Please help me with your knowledge on the issue.

Whinygirl

If you're suing HMA, I certainly wouldn't be on internet forums trying to find reasons why the problem exists. I'm sure a competent lawyer would be doing the investigation for you since that's what you're paying him for correct?