03
3-49
OQXI039032
Front air bags are not designed to inflate 
in rear collisions, because occupants 
are moved backward by the force of the 
impact. In this case, inflated air bags 
would not provide any additional benefit.
OQX039042L
Front air bags may not inflate in side 
impact collisions, because occupants 
move in the direction of the collision, 
and thus in side impacts, front air bag 
deployment would not provide additional 
occupant protection.
However, side and curtain air bags may 
inflate depending on the severity of 
impact.
OQX039040L
In an angled collision, the force of impact 
may direct the occupants in a direction 
where the air bags would not be able to 
provide any additional benefit, and thus 
the sensors may not deploy any air bags.
OQXI039034
Just before impact, drivers often brake 
heavily. Such heavy braking lowers the 
front portion of the vehicle causing it 
to “ride” under a vehicle with a higher 
ground clearance. Air bags may not 
inflate in this “underride” situation 
because deceleration forces that are 
detected by sensors may be significantly 
reduced by such “underride” collisions.