Airbag Non-Deployment Conditions

In certain low-speed collisions, the airbags may not deploy. Airbags are not designed to deploy in such cases, as they may provide no benefit beyond the seat belts.

Front airbags are not designed to deploy in a rear impact, because occupants are thrown backward by the force of the impact. In this case, deployed airbags provide no additional benefit.

Front airbags may not deploy in a side collision, because occupants move toward the point of impact. Therefore, in a side impact, front airbag deployment does not provide additional occupant protection.

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

In an angled collision, the force of the impact may move occupants in a direction where the airbags could not provide any additional benefit, so the sensors may not deploy the airbags.

Immediately before an impact, drivers often brake hard. This sudden braking lowers the front of the vehicle, causing it to "submarine" under a vehicle with a higher ground clearance. The airbags may not deploy in this "override" 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, because they could not protect the occupants in that situation.

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

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

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