Airbag malfunctions don’t always look dramatic at first. Some people notice the problem immediately; others only realize something was off after treatment begins or after the car is inspected.
Common patterns we see in vehicle safety cases include:
- Airbag failure to deploy during a crash where deployment would be expected.
- Unexpected deployment that occurred when the collision forces didn’t seem to justify it.
- Harsh or abnormal deployment that worsened injuries.
- Sensor or control issues (for example, the system reading crash conditions incorrectly).
- Inflator-related failures tied to components designed to deploy the airbag safely.
In Northern California, where vehicles are often driven year-round through changing weather and road conditions, it’s especially important not to assume “the car is fixed” means “the issue is gone.” Repairs and resets can obscure the original failure unless documentation is preserved.


