Should air bags deploy in all accidents?

Front driver and passenger air bags deploy if a vehicle impact is more severe than the pre-determined design threshold level. Below this level, these air bags may not deploy. The threshold velocity is higher when striking a solid, deformable barrier such as a parked car or sign pole, or when a soft-impact frontal collision involves an engine, hood or front upper fenders. Deployment levels can also vary depending on a vehicle’s overall structure and the angle at which it’s struck.

In addition to the front driver and passenger air bags, some vehicles are also equipped with side-impact airbags and/or curtain airbags. These will only deploy in a side impact of sufficient force.

Please refer to the SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) section in your owner’s manual for more information.