Airbag non-deployment conditions

In some low-speed collisions, the airbags may not deploy. They are designed not to deploy in cases where they would provide no additional benefit over the seat belts.

Front airbags are not designed to deploy in rear impacts, since the occupants are pushed rearward by the force of the impact. In this case, the airbags would provide no additional benefit.

Front airbags may not deploy in side collisions, since the occupants move in the direction of the collision; therefore, in side impacts, front airbag deployment would not provide additional protection.

In a side collision, the force of the impact could throw the occupants into an area where the airbag cannot provide protection, so the sensor may not deploy any airbag.

Shortly before impact, drivers often brake hard. This braking lowers the front of the vehicle, which may "submarine" under a higher vehicle. In this situation, the airbags may not deploy, since the deceleration forces detected by the sensors may be significantly reduced.

Airbags may not deploy in a rollover accident, since the vehicle may not detect this type of accident.

However, if the vehicle is equipped with side and curtain airbags, the side and/or curtain airbags may deploy when the vehicle rolls over following a side collision.

The airbags may not deploy if the vehicle collides with objects such as poles and trees, where the impact point is concentrated and the collision energy is absorbed by the vehicle structure.