4 Runner Airbags did not deploy

[Anonymous]

A car turned in front of me and my dash cam said I hit them at 33 mph. My airbags did not deploy. What do it do? Call the manufacturer?

[Anonymous]

Call a lawyer. Consumer protection. Then file a complaint with the DOT.

[Anonymous]

Are you OK, OP?

[Anonymous]

How old is your car op? Have you had any recalls related to the airbags?

[Anonymous]

Thanks. It’s a 2019 4 runner. No major injuries. My kid and I just sore today. Do I still need to call a lawyer? No airbag recalls that I am aware of however after a quick google search it seems as though this is quite common.

They should have deployed at 33 mph right? I hit her back panel on her passenger side? Her airbags deployed.

[Anonymous]

Meant to say my kid and I have no major injuries just really sore today. The car was not drivable.

[Anonymous]

You probably just missed the sensor. Did you hit head on or at an angle?

[Anonymous]

I’d be thankful. Airbags can cause a lot of harm if they weren’t needed in the crash (and sounds like yours weren’t needed this time).

[Anonymous]

Hit pretty much head on. Yes so thankful as I have friends that have injuries from airbags. Curious though as I am a bit scared if I ever get Into a larger crash and they don’t deploy and I have my kids in the car. Worried if this is normal or if they may be faulty. Thinking I should buy a new car.

[Anonymous]

I T-boned a car once going at least that speed in an SUV of similar size to you. I hit the other car in a way that sent their car flying over 3 lanes. (The other driver didn’t look left before trying to turn left over a three lane street. I didn’t have enough time to avoid them). My airbags didn’t deploy either. The paramedics that came to the scene said that you have to hit the sensors perfectly. To add insult to injury, it was a brand new car. I’d only had it 6 weeks so there were no recalls or issues with it (other than it being totaled).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I T-boned a car once going at least that speed in an SUV of similar size to you. I hit the other car in a way that sent their car flying over 3 lanes. (The other driver didn’t look left before trying to turn left over a three lane street. I didn’t have enough time to avoid them). My airbags didn’t deploy either. The paramedics that came to the scene said that you have to hit the sensors perfectly. To add insult to injury, it was a brand new car. I’d only had it 6 weeks so there were no recalls or issues with it (other than it being totaled).

This is disappointing to learn.

Glad you're ok op.

[Anonymous]

YIKES. I didn't know airbags were so useless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I T-boned a car once going at least that speed in an SUV of similar size to you. I hit the other car in a way that sent their car flying over 3 lanes. (The other driver didn’t look left before trying to turn left over a three lane street. I didn’t have enough time to avoid them). My airbags didn’t deploy either. The paramedics that came to the scene said that you have to hit the sensors perfectly. To add insult to injury, it was a brand new car. I’d only had it 6 weeks so there were no recalls or issues with it (other than it being totaled).

This is disappointing to learn.

Glad you're ok op.

You do not have to "hit the sensors perfectly" for the airbag to deploy. The sensors are measuring longitudinal and lateral acceleration and the airbags deploy based on a threshold predicted deceleration (in other words, the sensor is trying to predict how severe the crash will be based on the initial crush of the vehicle structure). If OP hit the side of a smaller car, the predicted severity for the 4runner might have been lower than the threshold severity. That said, if you really think the airbags didn't deploy and should have, the right place to file the complaint is with NHTSA: https://www.nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem#index

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I T-boned a car once going at least that speed in an SUV of similar size to you. I hit the other car in a way that sent their car flying over 3 lanes. (The other driver didn’t look left before trying to turn left over a three lane street. I didn’t have enough time to avoid them). My airbags didn’t deploy either. The paramedics that came to the scene said that you have to hit the sensors perfectly. To add insult to injury, it was a brand new car. I’d only had it 6 weeks so there were no recalls or issues with it (other than it being totaled).

This is disappointing to learn.

Glad you're ok op.

You do not have to "hit the sensors perfectly" for the airbag to deploy. The sensors are measuring longitudinal and lateral acceleration and the airbags deploy based on a threshold predicted deceleration (in other words, the sensor is trying to predict how severe the crash will be based on the initial crush of the vehicle structure). If OP hit the side of a smaller car, the predicted severity for the 4runner might have been lower than the threshold severity. That said, if you really think the airbags didn't deploy and should have, the right place to file the complaint is with NHTSA: https://www.nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem#index

Right, but how are we supposed to know whether airbags should have deployed but didn't?

[Anonymous]

You’re getting new car one way or another, if your car is totaled? Interestingly, had the airbags deployed, you’d be closer to a total loss (they’re expensive to replace & re-install). But you’ll get less insurance money because they did not deploy, perhaps a defect. You’re right to keep digging at this at least for a clear answer.