Vw Owner Fumes Non Deployment Of Airbag During Accident Which Car Maker Describes As Normal

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AIRBAGS – are they there for passenger safety or mere decoration?
This seems to be the gist of a Facebook complaint by a Golf GTI Mk 8 owner Ahmad Zaki who claimed that the car’s airbags did not deploy when involved in a collision.

This resulted in his wife sustaining a broken nose and concussion. But what really got this Volkswagen (VW)-owner upset was the post-crash investigation response by the vehicle manufacturer.
It was claimed that it was “normal” for the airbags not to be deployed when there is not enough impact and the deployment could in itself cause serious injuries.
Livid at this perceived washing of hands by VW Malaysia, Ahmad Zaki urged others to viral his FB post, claiming that his trust in the brand has been shattered when he had placed the safety of his family in its hands.
He is now seeking legal advice and believes the public has a right to know if VW is able to relinquish responsibility for the non-performance of the airbags.
Among the netizens who took up the invitation to share the complaint on X was Aid Fawzal (@AidFawzal) who also re-posted pictures of the crash and the original complaint.

The images seem to indicate side impact on the passenger side of the VW Golf Mk8.

While many wished the original complainant and his wife a speedy recovery on his FB page and success in pursuing legal action against VW, more than a few netizens did pose some pertinent questions on the shared post on X.
Primarily, was whether the complainant’s wife was wearing a seatbelt when the accident occurred. It was surmised that the airbags will only deploy when the seatbelts are fastened.

One netizen further pointed out that the point of impact would have a great bearing on whether airbags are deployed. It was claimed that steering airbag would not be released if it is not a full-frontal impact.

VW’s claim that it was “normal” received some backing with one commenter arguing that since the impact was on the passenger side, it was consistent with the manufacturer’s design and intended use.

Explaining the meaning of the abbreviation ‘SRS’ as a ‘supplementary restraint system’, one netizen pointed out that the airbag would only be deployed if the seatbelts were unable to provide sufficient safety in an accident.
This was because the airbags could themselves cause serious injury (as claimed by VW) and would only be released upon a major impact.

This view was backed up by a few others who surmised that the airbags were to prevent serious injury in a major road mishap.

With VW’s reputation having suffered somewhat due to a number of scandals – most notable being the emission fiasco – the German car manufacturer needs to tread carefully to avoid another PR disaster.

While the original complainant is understandably all hot-under-the-collar for perceived failure of VW’s safety system, enough commenters have pointed out why VW’s claims that this is “normal” has credence.
Motorists keenly await the outcome of this case but in the meantime, don’t forget to buckle up.

 
- Focus Malaysia

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