Why my airbag didn't work?

Are you wondering why the airbags did not deploy on a heavy collision?

Are you worried that they are not reliable?

Let me explain.

Your car's airbag system includes impact sensors, more technically known as accelerometers. They are responsible for detecting sudden and rapid changes in acceleration.

They are normally located in the front of the vehicle and usually comes in pairs.

The modern version of this sensor is a solid-state electro-mechanical device, similar to what we have on our mobile phones. Physical motion is converted into electrical signals and delivered to the Airbag Control Module (ACM).

The ACM is a small computer box normally found under the dashboard.

It decides whether the airbag should deploy or not. It follows an algorithm that calculates if certain parameters, such as vehicle speed and steering position, are met before it triggers the airbag inflator.

When your airbag did not deploy on a heavy collision, it does not mean it was defective. It usually means that your crash did not meet the parameters set by the car manufacturer.

To give you peace of mind, have your airbag system checked by a diagnostic scanner.