Airbag Non-Deployment Conditions

In some low-speed collisions, the airbags may not deploy. Airbags are not designed to deploy in such cases, because they cannot provide benefits beyond those of the seat belts.

Front airbags are not designed to deploy in a rear collision, because occupants are pushed back by the force of the impact. In this case, deployed airbags do not provide any additional benefit.

Front airbags may not deploy in side impact collisions because occupants move toward the point of impact; therefore, front airbag deployment would not provide additional occupant protection in a side impact.

However, side impact and curtain airbags may deploy depending on the severity of the impact, vehicle speed and impact angle.

In an angled impact, the force of the impact may direct occupants in a direction in which the airbags cannot provide any additional benefit, and therefore the sensors may not deploy the airbags.

Immediately before a collision, drivers often brake sharply. Such hard braking lowers the front of the vehicle, causing it to "submarine" under a vehicle with a higher ground clearance. Airbags may not deploy in this "submarining" situation, because the deceleration forces detected by the sensors may be significantly reduced by such "underride" collisions.

Front airbags may not deploy in a rollover accident, because airbag deployment could not provide protection to the occupants.

However, side impact and curtain airbags may deploy when the vehicle rolls over as a result of a side impact, if the vehicle is equipped with side and curtain airbags.

In addition, if the vehicle is equipped with a rollover sensor, side impact and curtain airbags may deploy in a rollover.

Airbags may not deploy if the vehicle strikes objects such as utility poles or trees, where the impact is concentrated and the collision energy is absorbed by the vehicle structure.