More on Saabs and human testing

May 9th, 2008 · 4 Comments

I don’t want to spend any more entries on this as I find it a tad distasteful, but I thought a follow-up was worthwhile for the very curious story earlier stating that GM has just wrapped up a program of safety testing, involving Saab and the use of human cadavers.

I just found the thought of what the testing scientists go through in that scenario to be pretty gross.

Anyway, from people’s comments on the article, it appears that this is not a new, nor an objectionable thing. People have, after all, been donating their bodies to science after they pass away for many years now. I just never pictured them being used like this.

I received a note via email from one guy who preferred to comment privately, but I think it’s a worthwhile explanation to share here:

The regular dummy models are just a means to measure acceleration etc. in an accident. They are not very predictive when it comes to breaking of bones or fracture of internal organs. This is something EVERY car manufacturer needs to investigate in more detail now and in the future. So one means is to use cadaver-tests. Alternatively computer methods may be used - but for them to be predictive you need to validate the model. Again: One needs cadaver tests to do that. So it is nothing uncommon.

Consider it good to have SAAB on it (within GM), because the guys in TRollhattan are very, very knowledgable and good engineers.

I guess this is one of those rare times that I’m glad I took a commerce course…..

——

I also thought MitchBC’s comment was worth bringing to the front page, too:

The side curtain airbags in my 2008 9-7x Aero deployed for no reason on Tuesday May 6. My wife was driving. She was not physically hurt but very scared. The interior has $5K+ damage per informal dealer estimate. OnStar worked as advertised.

Does this count as human testing?

Hey GM, you owe us a phone call.

A commendation to Mrs MitchBC for not swerving and flipping the car under those circumstances. I would have lost about three pounds instantly!!

Tags: Saab safety

4 responses so far ↓

1 Mike C. // May 9, 2008 at 4:30 am

Wasn’t this a re-call? I was communicating with someone on this site some time ago who had side air bag senor problems with the 9-7X. The person had contacted Saab corporate received
immediate help.
2 edusaab // May 9, 2008 at 5:07 am

Remember the Real life Safety concept from Saab. That include not only the database with over 6000 accidents, also a relationship with Insurance companies, Doctors/medical centers, police and so to know every aspect involucrated in a crash.

When you die you have the choice to offer your body for research. For example Spain is the country with the higher rate of organ donation in the world(One of the few positive things we are leaders, another thing is the food/meals, jejejejeje). In the same way as you can choice to donate your organs for transplants and/or body after dead to research. That research could include the crash tests. Why not?? If the person and/or family is agree with that.

regards
3 socal_eric // May 9, 2008 at 6:23 am

I did a search on the NHTSA’s database of US federal recall info going back to ‘02 and found quite a few different entries for the 9-3 and 9-5 ranging from A-pillar trim, bad steering knuckle casting , bad vacuum check valve to brake booster, bad seat belt retractor, improper fuel line retaining clips, stalling, tie rod, seatback retaining latch, and wheel bolt/stud damage. There were no recalls for the 9-7x. That’s not to say GM hasn’t released updated software or modules and that there isn’t a TSB (a technical service bulletin, which is a document to help aid techs in finding common problems but is not a mandated repair) but there are no recalls for that vehicle.

Below are a couple links to the NHTSA’s web site. The first is to search for recalls. The second link is to report possible vehicle defects. You can also call their toll free number (888-327-4236). If the airbags did deploy and it wasn’t due to a collision (and I’ve heard of extremely rare cases where people hit deep potholes hard enough to cause side airbags to go off, especially with giant aftermarket wheel and tires with minimal sidewall) you should file a report. This is one way the agency collects information and evaluates if a mandated recall should be directed. If there’s a problem and no one brings it to light they sometimes can’t catch them.

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/recallsearch.cfm

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/index.cfm
4 MitchbSC // May 9, 2008 at 8:12 am

The Mrs. spoke with our dealership and GM’s executive office today. Both sources state there have been no 9-7x recalls for airbag issues.

The side curtain airbags popped on a flat, smooth city street at legal driving speed under full control of the driver. There are no mods to the vehicle. The vehicle has never been involved in a collision. It was delivered factory new last December.

After the two airbag detonations in immediate sequence, the Mrs. kept it rubber side down and in a straight line. No stained clothing or seats. OnStar did their thing well and checked to see if the Mrs. was OK. OnStar then dispatched city police to direct traffic around the vehicle. City police and OnStar coordinated to ensure the vehicle was taken by flatbed truck to the dealership and to keep personnel out of the vehicle in case the front airbags also deployed.

The Mrs. opened an incident with GM on Tuesday May 6, as did the dealership. Unfortunately, Saab USA is moving slowly. The 24 - 48 hour (2 business day) promise of a return phone call in response to the incident was not met.

The GM executive office put a note on the case to ensure more visibility. The issue is in the hands of a “Product Allegation” committee. This group supposedly will have to file a NHTSA report. We’ll be sure to verify that this happens. We don’t want this to go unreported, especially since the vehicle was primary transportation for the Mrs. and our young son.

The dealership is giving us full attention. The Enterprise Rental 9-3 was too small for our needs. The dealership has arranged a TrailBlazer for us to use. Thanks, Larry, John, and Charlie! Mr. Charlie also states that we will not be given a vehicle, depending on outcomes, that he would not have his own family use. Pontiac-GMC-Saab. Yeah, funny mix there. But, after 4 Saabs with them, Jim Hudson is proving to be a class act.

Now, aside from being shaken from two airbag detonations and GM’s lack of follow-through, the Mrs. is feeling the loss of a car she really, really liked. The 2008 9-7x Aero is one heck of a machine.