Operation

When the sensors detect a moderate-tosevere side impact, the control unit signals the side airbag on the impact side to immediately inflate.

When a side airbag deploys with little or no visible damage

When a side airbag deploys with little or no visible damage

Because the airbag system senses sudden acceleration, a strong impact to the side of the vehicle's framework can cause a side airbag to deploy. In such cases, there may be little or no damage, but the side impact sensors detected a severe enough impact to deploy the airbag.

When a side airbag may not deploy, even though visible damage appears severe

It is possible for a side airbag to not deploy during an impact that results in apparently severe damage. This can occur when the point of impact was towards the far front or rear of the vehicle, or when the vehicle's crushable body parts absorbed most of the crash energy. In either case, the side airbag would not have been needed nor provided protection even if it had deployed.

    See also:

    Reporting Safety Defects
    In the U.S. If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could cause a crash or could cause injury or death, you should immediately inform the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ...

    Interior Convenience Items
    Glove Box Pull the handle to open the glove box. You can lock the glove box with the built-in key. Glove Box WARNING An open glove box can cause serious injury to your passenger in a crash, ev ...

    If the Electric Power Steering (EPS) System Indicator Comes On
    Reasons for the indicator to come on • Comes on when there is a problem with EPS. • If you depress the accelerator pedal repeatedly to increase the engine speed while the engine is idling, th ...