Yep, driving home today from vacation, 65mph+ and right in the middle lane where I couldn’t get out of (vehicles to the left and right) was a rock, about 6 inches high and boom! right over it. Needless to say, I lost the front air dam center but there doesn’t seem to be any other body damage. The problem is the air bag light came on (there was a strange, acrid odor in the car) but they didn’t deploy and the seatbelts tightened up and when I released them to get out and access the damage, they pulled tighter into the post and I can’t get them out. Drove to the closest Chevy dealer, seatbeltless ,and they put the code reader on and attempted to reset the system but to no avail. So I’ve driven about 75 miles without belts and still have another 700 or so to go. Everything is fine, oil level/pressure, temperatures, steering/braking, ac/other systems, just no belts and the airbag light is lit. Any ideas on how to get belts to free up? I’m positive that the end result is an expensive trip to my local dealership but I’d like to get there safely and without fines for no seatbelt use! Dealer thought worse case scenario is complete change of belts and the module that operates the belt/bag system. Yikes, that sounds pricey $$$.

 

Insurance should cover repairs and splitter. Safe travels home.

 

Sorry to hear about the mishap with the rock. Good luck with the repair and hope it does not involve replacing a lot of parts.

 

Find a competent dealer. If the airbag light is on there’s a code in the system. Sounds like the dealer you went to either has no clue or doesn’t want to help for some reason.

 

I am only offering this as a possible reason on the seat belts. I'm assuming that since the air bags went off (or at least maybe the computer thinks that they did),
there might be a safety override, not allowing the seat belts to be used (air bag related). It might be a liability situation. Again, I have no background or experience on
this, just thinking it might be a reason. Good luck.

 

The seat-belts have pretensioners that deployed and will have to be replaced.
That is what accounts for the acrid odor you smelled.

 

find out cost to replace splitter before starting insurance claim!!

 

Here's a photo of the front "engine cradle" that was hit by the rock. This is pretty much the extent of the damage except that the ripped piece is wearing into the front spring. The rest is just scrapes on the exhaust, oil pan and "center reinforcement" and purely cosmetic. As I posted earlier, I drove it home 600+ miles without issues, no leaks no temperature issues, nothing at all. Guess I got lucky. Seat belt pretensioners did deploy so that's another parts/labor issue. And there's absolutely no body damage! Rock sheared off the deflector below the splitter but never touched the nose piece/paintwork.

 

That sucks! Sorry!

Good to know you are ok.

 

Ouch...

that cradle new is like $1k, used like $350... splitter depend on which one can start around $100 - $200...
the seat belt with the pretensioner could be found for $200
maybe you are lucky after all and can avoid using the insurance for these

 

Your insurance should take care of that

 

I am sorry to read this! I am glad no one was injured.

Honestly, as squirrely as the insurance companies have gotten, I would not present a claim fot that amount of money, if I could afford to avoid it.

We had a small water leak that we reported and the hassle we went through to keep our home owner's insurance was not worth the $2,000 they paid out. Finding other insurance was also going to be expensive. jmho

 

Wow! That sucks, sorry to read this man. Very glad you are OK. Good luck with insurance, seriously.