Why did Air Bags not Deploy?

I hit a deer at 65 MPH without having a chance to brake. Dead smack in the front middle of my 2006 Nissan Altima. The whole frame is bent back to the engine. This is the second accident in the past three months that I feel the airbags should have deployed.

At this point, I am praying that the car is totaled because it is bad luck and second major accident.

If the car is not totaled by the appraiser, should I contact Nissan to come out and inspect the air bags?
Additional Details
Yes, my 8 month pregnant wife had her seat belt on and was in regular position.

I am glad the airbags did not go off because it could have been worse but I am just wondering why they didn't.

Also, it was a 5 point buck.....very big from what i understand.

I don't want this car back after to main accidents. This time the frame was bent in all the way to the engine...

oklatom

Airbags are designed to deploy in frontal and near-frontal collisions more severe than a threshold defined by the regulations governing vehicle construction in whatever particular market the vehicle is intended for. U.S. regulations require deployment in crashes at least equivalent in deceleration to a 23 km/h (14 mph) barrier collision, or similarly, striking a parked car of similar size across the full front of each vehicle at about twice the speed. International ECE regulations are performance-based, rather than technology-based, so airbag deployment threshold is a function of overall vehicle design.

Even though your speed was adequate, I would imagine the deer was small enough that the deceleration was not sufficient to employ the supplemental restraint system (formerly called airbags).

Since a deployed air bag can add a significant cost to the repairs, usually approach $1,500, it's good that airbags don't deploy except when needed.

gearhead4

I have seen many vehicles with front end damage where the air bag(s) did not deploy. In you case, the impact of the deer was absorbed by something above the front bumper (where the airbag impact sensors are). It probably damaged the grill assembly and hood. The chassis "frame" was probably not damaged. If you ran into a wall at a much lower speed, the airbag(s) would deploy.

Matthew S

there is probably a recall on the vehicle.
check with the dealer.
Air bags deploy when a bearing connected to a sensor is disconnected due to a hard enough impact. Your airbags should have deployed indefinitely

billy p

whom fixed your car the first time did they plug it back in or is that fuse blown??? take it to the dealership tell them what happened so you can file an complaint.tell the adjuster that you feel as thou the air bag is faulty and he can still total it for you

toledojeeper

Was all the occupants seat belts fastened?Also if the seat position is to close to the steering wheel this will stop air bag from deploying and as already stated it isn't damage to the frontal area but deceleration that causes the air bag to deploy.

jEAN lUC LIVES

Airbags only deploy because of sudden deceleration i.e. hitting another car or something equally immovable. Deer do not really cause the correct shock to the airbag sensors and so they sometimes do not deploy. This does not mean your airbags are defective. Cars are built to crumple on impact and often the damage looks a lot worse than it is. Once the bent bits are taken off it wont be as bad as you think. It will be safe after it is repaired but you could mention the airbags to your insurance and see if they will at least have the system checked.

Baby Smokey

then their a problem

Somethingtotry

Airbags will not deploy unless there is sufficient deceleration as measured by the computer that monitors the air bag system. Since you did not apply the brakes, it is doubtful that the system detected a rapid deceleration and thus did not deploy the airbags.

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