Airbag Malfunctions on the Rise
Michael D. Leshner, P.E.
Most new cars and many light trucks are equipped with supplemental inflatable
restraints, known as airbags. With the rapid proliferation of airbags there
has been a corresponding reduction in the severity of some crash-related
injuries, and many lives have been saved by airbags which function properly.
Unfortunately, there has been an alarming increase in the number of
injuries and fatalities reported as the result of airbags which malfunction.
Failure to Deploy
Airbags are designed to deploy when a vehicle in forward motion decelerates
rapidly. Most airbag systems are calibrated to sense vehicle deceleration
corresponding to a frontal collision at speeds in excess of 20 to 25 mph.
When airbags fail to deploy under these conditions, occupants do not have
the benefit of protection they expect from the airbag.
Don't Change that Station!
Airbags sometimes deploy at the wrong time. The inflation of an airbag
is so sudden that a driver may be distracted, disoriented or even knocked
unconscious.
Serious accidents have been caused by inadvertent deployment when vehicles
hit a bump, pothole, or for no apparent reason. Some GM vehicles with radio/tape
controls in the steering wheel have been recalled to correct a chafing
condition in the steering wheel wiring which may cause the driver's airbag
to deploy when the radio settings are changed. Don't change that station!
Chemical Burns
Most airbag systems use an inflator which, when operating properly, generates
a harmless gas to fill the bag. The bag contains vent holes, which allow
the gas to escape from the bag.
The chemical propellant used to generate gas in an airbag module is
similar to rocket fuel. As fuel and oxidized burn, small bits of reacting
propellant may blow into the bag and be expelled from the vents.
Occupants have reported severe chemical burns on the face, neck and
arms following airbag deployment. This occurs as a result of inadequate
filtering of propellant as it leaves the gas generator module.
Injury from the bag itself
Experiencing the deployment of an airbag is somewhat like being hit in
the face - very hard- by a pillow. Occupants have experienced eye injuries,
facial abrasions, broken jaws, broken necks, and some of these injuries
have been fatal.
Manufacturers now warn against placing rear-facing infant seats or young
children in the front of a vehicle equipped with a passenger-side airbag.
Failure to Deploy in a Second Collision
After a collision involving deployment of an airbag, the airbag and gas
generator module cannot be used again. Most collision repair shops do a
good job of replacing the airbag module and cover, and assuring that the
system is ready to perform in any subsequent collision. Many collision
repair shops sub-contract the airbag replacement to a specialist. In some
cases, the replacement airbag module may not be installed or connected
properly, leaving it inoperative.
Occupants out of position
Frontal airbags are designed to retard forward motion of the occupants'
head and upper torso when they are seated upright behind the airbag. Injuries
have been reported in cases where an airbag deploys and strikes an occupant
who is in an unusual position.
This may apply to children standing on the front seat, sitting in an
adult's lap, or occupants in a reclining position. Some manufacturers fail
to adequately warn against these hazards.
As new models begin to appear with side-impact airbags, rear occupant
airbags, and active pyrotechnic seatbelt pre-tensioners, we can expect
to see more accidental injuries when these products malfunction.
Call to action
If your clients have experienced what appear to be malfunctioning automotive
safety systems, call our office. There is no charge for an initial telephone
consultation to discuss a new case.
Michael D. Leshner, P.E.**
Engineering Investigation & Analysis
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