Action 9 investigates airbag misfires

ORLANDO, Fla. — An airbag misfire injured a Rockledge man for life and a Polk County woman faces extensive surgery after being smacked by an airbag in her vehicle. They blame their injuries on airbags that malfunctioned.

“My muscles won't respond and I can't grip anything,” said Cheryl Money.

Money faces more neck surgery after a bizarre car crash. She was stopped at a red light in Polk County when the driver's airbag deployed.

“It just exploded and hit me in the face and chest,” said Money.

There was no collision. Nothing hit her 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier. A police report called it a random deployment.

“I want to know what happened. It's crippled me,” said Money.

Jon Erle, of Rockledge, said he can only sleep in a living room chair. That's how severe his injuries were after he claims the airbag in his 2004 Dodge Viper misfired on a highway entrance ramp.

“I was driving on the ramp, then it was lights out. It came out so fast,” said Erle.

His car drove into soft sand and flipped over. In the accident report, an witness said Erle's car suddenly veered out of control for no reason.

“There's no reason that should have gone off. I didn't hit anything,” said Erle.

Action 9 learned that since 2011, federal safety regulators issued 19 recalls for airbag misfires that could cause injuries. Most involved vehicles eight years or older.

Since his crash, models like Erle’s Viper have been recalled because an airbag component could fail and cause a crash. But that recall came too late.

“My life will never be the same,” said Erle.

He's hired an attorney to make his case against the airbag manufacturer.

Money said General Motors is investigating what caused her airbag's misfire, and has offered to cover her medical bills.

But for now, the only car she has to drive is the Cavalier.

“I'm petrified to get back in that car,” said Money.

If you have an older vehicle, pay attention to airbag warning lights.

Drivers can check for any open airbag recalls at safercar.gov.

Cox Media Group