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Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Ask a Mustachian => Topic started by: FLBiker on March 10, 2017, 07:27:15 AM

Title: worried about liability using 2017 Camry (airbag recall)
Post by: FLBiker on March 10, 2017, 07:27:15 AM
We have a 2009 Corolla that is affect by the Takata airbag recall.  We were offered a 2017 Camry from the Toyota dealership until the replacement parts are available (could be months, if not longer).  My concern is that we'll be held liable for damage to this car.  I'm not so much worried about a major accident as I am about something cosmetic, which we would likely leave unrepaired on our car.  Also, we have a toddler (and the messes that entails).

In looking into the recall, though, it seems like a serious issue, and we live in a high humidity environment (Florida) which seems to increase the likelihood of a problem.

Another thought I had was to disable the airbags in the 2009 Corolla until the replacement parts were available.  But that might be even stupider than just driving it as is, considering the rate of misfire seems to be under 1%.

Any thoughts or experience with something like this?  I think the safest thing to do is drive the Camry, but I'm worried we'll end up with a bill of a few hundred (or even thousand) dollars at the end of it.  We could afford that, but I don't like the responsibility of taking care of a pristine new car (that's why I never buy them).
Title: Re: worried about liability using 2017 Camry (airbag recall)
Post by: okobrien on March 10, 2017, 08:10:10 AM
We dealt with that same recall, but were never offered a replacement vehicle.  They just said, "don't drive the vehicle for a couple of months until we get to it."  Ha!

I would guestimate your odds and make a decision with that info.  Forbes estimates that the average driver gets into a accident one out of 18 years. (including fender benders)  You say the failure rate of the airbag is less than 1%, and lets estimate that you will have to wait 4 months for replacement.  If my math is right, and it may not be, your odds of getting in an accident AND have an airbag malfunction in the next 4 months are: (1/54)*(1/100) =.000185  or about 1 in 5,000 chance.

The odds of the toddler rubbing a piece of pizza on the back of the driver's seat, and stuffing a cheeseburger in the crack beneath his car seat are quite likely.   

So, is the quite likely event of the toddler causing a $200 cleaning fee worth avoiding the 1 in 5,000 event that you will get into an accident in which the airbag fails to deploy properly?  I don't know.  After going through all this, I don't know what I would do.  I might go with the new car, but only so I could get my new car fix, before going back to my lifetime of driving used cars.
Title: Re: worried about liability using 2017 Camry (airbag recall)
Post by: NoStacheOhio on March 10, 2017, 08:22:38 AM
Have you asked the dealer about this?
Title: Re: worried about liability using 2017 Camry (airbag recall)
Post by: Paul der Krake on March 10, 2017, 08:36:40 AM
Tell the dealer about your toddler. Ask that they provide a protective cover for the backseat.
Title: Re: worried about liability using 2017 Camry (airbag recall)
Post by: FLBiker on March 10, 2017, 09:18:04 AM
Tell the dealer about your toddler. Ask that they provide a protective cover for the backseat.

I told the dealer, and he suggested getting the car professionally detailed if there was a spill.  We've got a cover under the carseat itself.  I suppose we could put a sheet or something down as well.  To be honest, the cleaning aspect isn't a major concern, only because I can always clean it myself.  I'm more worried about damage.
Title: Re: worried about liability using 2017 Camry (airbag recall)
Post by: DTaggart on March 10, 2017, 10:46:15 AM
We had the same issue with my husband's FIT while waiting for the recalled airbag parts to come in. They gave him a rental car to use, which was covered by our regular car insurance. Since we only carry liability on our car, we were concerned about the possibility of a car accident, damage, etc, like you have described. So we called up our insurance agent, and they were able to add comprehensive/collision to our policy for just the time we had the rental. It cost us a little extra, but it wasn't significant, and I slept a lot better.
Title: Re: worried about liability using 2017 Camry (airbag recall)
Post by: marielle on March 10, 2017, 10:58:55 AM
Do not park next to anyone, ever. If you absolutely have to, park next to a curb and as close to it as you can (be careful hitting the curb though haha). When you go shopping, park at the very furthest spot and walk. I know it sucks with a toddler, but it's good exercise and it beats having hundreds/thousands in liability. I wish I did this with my car but I was young and stupid. It was in IMMACULATE condition with a new paint job 5 years ago, now it has dings everywhere from doors and assholes running into my car. The fender has a pretty large dent. From a parking lot idiot. No note, of course. No one ever leaves a note, trust me. Unbelievable. I haven't personally put a scratch on the car and it looks like crap now.

Also, pull through spots so you can drive out straight and not have to back out. Another option to look into is one of those rubber lips that you put on a bumper? I don't know if it would leave residue though so just do some research first. It could pretend scratches from curbs/pot holes.

Another idea is a car cover especially if you have dogs that might paw at your car.

Be careful with your keys if you don't use a remote. That can scratch the car too.

You shouldn't need a professional detail for the interior. Use Tuff Stuff foam cleaner if you have cloth interior. We used it to get out stains from spilling an entire blender full of smoothie. And it was left uncleaned for months due to laziness.
Title: Re: worried about liability using 2017 Camry (airbag recall)
Post by: Vindicated on March 10, 2017, 11:43:43 AM
In looking into the recall, though, it seems like a serious issue, and we live in a high humidity environment (Florida) which seems to increase the likelihood of a problem.

It is most definitely VERY serious.  Don't drive that car until it is fixed.  Get the loaner, or whatever is best for you, but don't continue to drive it.  Don't try to disable it either.  If you mess something up, you'll be liable for costs to fix.
Title: Re: worried about liability using 2017 Camry (airbag recall)
Post by: marielle on March 13, 2017, 10:01:09 AM
Geez, people in your neighborhood drive like a bunch of animals.

All the dings are from parking at college student apartments for 3 years. I may have exaggerated a bit by saying it "looks like crap"...but I do need a new bumper, fender, and hood. The other stuff could be buffed out or knocked out maybe.
Title: Re: worried about liability using 2017 Camry (airbag recall)
Post by: NoStacheOhio on March 13, 2017, 10:30:26 AM
Geez, people in your neighborhood drive like a bunch of animals.

All the dings are from parking at college student apartments for 3 years. I may have exaggerated a bit by saying it "looks like crap"...but I do need a new bumper, fender, and hood. The other stuff could be buffed out or knocked out maybe.

Apparently you can use a hair dryer on minor dings. Never tried it myself, but what harm is there?
Title: Re: worried about liability using 2017 Camry (airbag recall)
Post by: Sibley on March 14, 2017, 01:01:29 PM
Well, fairly easy way to reduce the cleaning needed: no food or drink in the car, no exceptions. I defy a toddler, or anyone, to spill food or drink in a vehicle when they have no food or drink available to be spilled.

Doesn't help with vomiting of course.
Title: Re: worried about liability using 2017 Camry (airbag recall)
Post by: BlueMR2 on March 16, 2017, 07:43:26 AM
Months is tough.  I don't ever accept loaner vehicles (or borrow) due to the insurance issues.  Short term I've rented and paid for the extra insurance through them (yes, technically my credit card covers that part on rents less than 30 days, but if you ever read the fine print the requirements to satisfy a claim are impossible to meet).

If it was me, I'd just disable the airbags, but I'm wiling to accept higher levels of risk as I have no dependents (and I've already walked away from a crash where not only did my airbags fail, but my seatbelt failed too).

Best bet is probably to add the insurance to your current car to cover the loaner.  Or, buy a sub $5000 beater, drive it for now, then sell it off (or better yet, sell the new car) when the airbag repair is complete.