Federal safety regulators have stepped up their auto defect investigation into Jeep Liberty SUVs. The move comes after 50 people reported being injured after their vehicle’s airbags inflated inadvertently, when the car had not been involved in an accident. According to a news report in Bloomberg Business Week, the investigation into Liberty SUVs from model years 2002 and 2003 began in September. Now, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has expanded the probe to include a complete engineering analysis. The investigation covers nearly 387,000 vehicles.

So far, federal safety regulators have logged 87 complaints and all of them involve the airbags deploying suddenly and without warning, even when there was no crash. Drivers have reported injuries including cuts, bruises and burns. No fatalities have been reported. Of the incidents that were reported, 42 involved the driver’s side front airbag. The remaining 45 cases involved both the driver and front passenger airbags.

Sudden or Inadvertent Deployment

The incidents apparently occurred as the vehicle was being started, and also while it was in motion. In some cases, drivers reported that the airbag warning light illuminated just before the airbags were inflated. Others said the warning light did not come on. There have been no similar incidents in vehicles made after March 2003. However, Chrysler has not been able to determine the cause of these airbag defects, prompting the engineering analysis by NHTSA.

Inadvertent deployment of airbags is a serious problem. When the driver’s side airbag deploys as the vehicle is being driven, there is not only the potential for injuries because of the force with which the airbag deploys, but also the chance for a car accident that may be caused by the sudden airbag deployment. Serious injuries can definitely result in such cases, although Chrysler has not reported any major injuries or fatalities here.

Auto Products Liability Claims

Victims who have been injured by sudden airbag deployment can file an auto products liability claim against the automaker and seek compensation for damages including medical expenses, loss of wages, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and pain and suffering. If your car’s airbags deployed for no apparent reason and you have been injured as a result, please preserve the vehicle intact so it can be thoroughly examined by an expert for evidence of defects and malfunctions. An experienced California personal injury lawyer will be able to better advise victims and their families about their legal rights and options.