Kia Optima: Why didn’t my air bag go off in a collision? (Inflation and non-inflation conditions
of the air bag)
There are many types of accidents in which the air bag would not be expected to provide additional protection.
These include rear impacts, second or third collisions in multiple impact accidents, as well as low speed impacts. In other words, just because your vehicle is damaged and even if it is totally unusable, don’t be surprised that the air bags did not inflate.
Air bag collision sensors
(1) SRS control module
(2) Front impact sensor
(3) Side impact sensor
(4)
Side pressure sensor
WARNING
- Do not hit or allow any objects to impact the locations where air bag or sensors are installed. This may cause unexpected air bag deployment, which could result in serious personal injury or death.
- If the installation location or angle of the sensors is altered in any way, the air bags may deploy when they should not or they may not deploy when they should, causing severe injury or death. Therefore, do not try to perform maintenance on or around the air bag sensors. Have the vehicle checked and repaired by an authorized Kia dealer.
- Problems may arise if the sensor installation angles are changed due to the deformation of the front bumper, body or B pillar where side collision sensors are installed. Have the vehicle checked and repaired by an authorized Kia dealer.
- Your vehicle has been designed to absorb impact and deploy the air bag(s) in certain collisions. Installing bumper guards or replacing a bumper with non-genuine parts may adversely affect your vehicles collision and air bag deployment performance.
Curtain air bag
Curtain air bags are located along both sides of the roof rails above the center
pillar.
They are designed to help protect the heads of the front seat occupants and the
rear outboard seat occ ...
Air bag inflation conditions
Front air bags
Front air bags are designed to inflate in a frontal collision depending on the
intensity, speed or angles of impact of the front collision.
Side air bags
Side air bags (side ...
See also:
Repair procedures
Operation and Leakage Check
Check all of the following items:
Component
Procedure
Brake Booster (A)
Check brake operation by applying the brakes durin ...
Owner maintenance schedule
When you stop for fuel:
Check the engine oil level.
Check the coolant level in coolant
reservoir.
Check the windshield washer fluid
level.
Look for low or under-inflated tires.
Whil ...
Withheld alarm
When the alarm is armed, the alarm will not sound if the trunk lid is opened
with either the key or the transmitter.
However, if the trunk lid is not opened completely within two seconds after unlo ...