Why did my airbags not deploy?

UCANTCME

There could be a defect that prevented the crash sensors from detecting the crash properly.

In some cases, the air bag deployment threshold is simply not set appropriately, often due to inadequate testing.

In other cases, a flaw in the software of the air bag control module has caused it to ignore the data from one of the crash sensors.

In still other cases, there are simply too few sensors to properly detect real-world crashes; this often results from overly zealous cost-reduction efforts by car companies that are trying to improve their finances.

In a few cases, quality control efforts have failed to prevent defective sensors or air bag control modules from reaching the public.

Tthere could be a defect that prevented the deployment signal from reaching the air bag modules and deploying them.

Here, the problem usually lies with the electrical components and wiring between the crash sensors, control module and the air bag modules.

The most frequent defect in this category is when the driver air bag fails to deploy, but the passenger air bag does deploy.

In many cases, this is due to a defective clockspring located in the steering column.

Millions of defective clocksprings have been recalled, generally due to poor quality control at either the supplier's production plant or the car company's assembly plant.

Another defect in this category is when the wiring is routed through vulnerable areas, resulting in wires that get cut early during a crash sequence.

Although the sensor then detects the crash, the cut wires prevent the signal from reaching the air bag modules.

Anyway I would demand that Ford look at this vehicle and give you the true reason, take pictures and I am glad that you are okay.

Doug G

Questions like this are asked and answered all the time here. There are specific criteria that need to be met to activate a deployment. Check out this website for the EXACT answers to your questions including the blog specific to your concern. This site tells you exactly what needs to happen for the airbags to deploy and what needs to be replaced (seat belts & all) on over 3500 cars after they do. Itâ€™s a pay site, but it certainly is worth the money ($14.95 for 1 day full access)
http://www.airbagsolutions.com
http://blog.airbagsolutions.com
http://www.airbagsolutions.com/resources.aspx
http://blog.airbagsolutions.com/archive/2007/08/15/why-didnt-my-airbag-deploy.aspx

Kate V

Wow.. That's scary. I couldn't find any recalls concerning air bags or seat belts with this vehicle. Honestly, I would contact ford about this problem. Maybe they can give you some kind of explanation.

olddog0558

I hope the car was inspected before it was scrapped.

I used to drive tow truck with a police towing license, and we picked up a Ford sedan that had an impact mark on the windshield and the airbags were deployed.

A couple of days later the owner showed up with stitches from ear to ear. It seems that after the impact, he went to rest his head on the steering wheel and the airbag went off, shoving his head into the windshield. He had the car hauled to an independent garage and inspected.

Last I heard that cost Ford quite a few dollars.

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