Car Safety: Why Don't Airbags Always Deploy? 3 BIG Reasons Explained

In the event of an accident, airbags are supposed to activate, potentially saving lives even in fatal crashes. However, there have been numerous instances where airbags failed to deploy during accidents. 

The death of former Tata Sons Chairman Cyrus Mistry was also attributed to the airbags not deploying. This raises the question: why don't airbags always deploy? Well, there could be several reasons behind it.

Not Wearing A Seat Belt: If the passenger isn’t wearing a seat belt, the airbag won’t deploy. Airbags are part of the vehicle's passive safety system, where the seat belt plays a crucial role. In most cars, airbags activate only after receiving a response from the seat belt. It is recommended to wear a seat belt.

Heavy Protective Grills: The heavy protective grill (bullbar or push bumper) installed at the front of the car can also be a reason for the airbags not deploying. Often, these grills prevent the front sensors from reading the impact and sending the signal needed for the airbags to deploy. Consequently, the airbags fail to deploy.

Technical Malfunction: Faulty sensors, electrical issues, or problems in the airbag system can prevent deployment. If the airbag control unit is damaged, it may not send the signal for the airbags to deploy.