My husband and I own a 2004 Audi A4 cabrio and took it in for a voluntary emissions service action for an ignition coil replacement on Feb 4, 2010. At that time, the dashboard light for the driver side airbag was on constantly and would not go off so we asked the service department to look into it. They told us we needed a new airbag and replaced it at a cost of $746.14. We had not been in a collision and had not tampered with the airbag either.

- Westminster, MD, USA

(1) I was waiting at a major intersection at a red light. When it turned green, I proceeded into the intersection. An unlicensed, uninsured driver in an old Chevrolet pick-up truck coming in the opposite direction ran the red left turn light and collided broadside into the driver's side of my 2004 Audi S4 quattro sedan. (2) the side airbag, which is in the driver's seat at the exact location of the impact, failed to deploy. I broke my left hand, injured my right shoulder (rotator cuff impingement), and suffered lacerations to both hands. There was substantial damage to the driver's side of the car, including the B-pillar, which is a structural part of the uni-body frame. I have digital photographs of the damage that I can send to NHTSA if you provide me with your E-mail address. (3) I contacted Audi U.S.a. to complain, and they did not offer to do anything to correct the failure of the side airbag to deploy. The car has been repaired at a competent paint and body shop and I am driving it again. The repairs took two months, and were paid for by my automobile insurance company under my uninsured motorists property damage coverage. The body shop retained the broken parts, including the B-pillar, and they are available for inspection.

- Redondo Beach, CA, USA