Impact Sensors and Airbag Indicator

Your vehicle has crash and occupant presence sensors that provide information to the restraints control module. The restraints control module deploys (activates) the seatbelt pretensioners, driver airbag, passenger airbag, knee airbags, side airbags and curtain airbags. Based on the type of crash, the restraints control module deploys the appropriate restraint devices.

The passive restraint control module also monitors the readiness of the above safety devices plus the crash and occupant sensors. The safety system readiness is indicated by a warning light in the instrument cluster or by a backup signal if the warning light is not working. No routine maintenance of the airbag system is required.

A problem with the system is indicated by one or more of the following:

• The airbag warning indicator does not light up immediately after the ignition is switched on.
• The airbag warning indicator either flashes or stays on.
• A series of five audible tones sounds. The tone pattern repeats periodically until the problem is repaired, the indicator light, or both.

If any of this occurs, even intermittently, have the supplemental restraint system serviced at an authorized dealer immediately. If not serviced, the system may not function correctly in a crash event.

The restraint system is designed to activate when the vehicle experiences conditions severe enough to signal the control module to deploy the restraint device.

The fact that not all restraint devices deploy for all occupants in a crash does not mean that something is wrong with the system. Rather, it means that the control module determined the crash conditions (crash severity, crash type, seatbelt use) did not meet the criteria to deploy those restraint devices.

• Front airbags are designed to deploy only in frontal and near-frontal crashes (not rollovers, side impacts or rear impacts), except when the crash produces sufficient frontal deceleration.
• Seatbelt pretensioners are designed to activate in frontal and side impacts, as well as in rollovers.
• The knee airbags may deploy depending on crash severity and occupant conditions.
• Side airbags are designed to deploy in certain side impacts or rollover events. Side airbags may deploy in other types of crashes if your vehicle experiences sufficient lateral movement or deformation, or a certain probability of rollover.
• The curtain airbag is designed to inflate in certain side impacts or rollover events. The curtain airbag may deploy in other types of crashes if your vehicle experiences sufficient lateral movement or deformation, or a certain probability of rollover.

Airbag Disposal

Contact an authorized dealer as soon as possible. Airbags must be disposed of by qualified personnel.