2007 Ford Ranger Airbag Deployment

[SF559]

I have a 2007 Ford Ranger extended cab. Airbags on drivers side and passenger side. The truck rolled off an embankment slamming into a concrete pillar. The truck was totalled, there wasn't an area on the truck that wasn't damaged. Even the front bumper was torn off. But the airbags never deployed. I don't think this is normal unless they only deploy under certain circumstances...?...or if it's a sign of a potential problem with the Rangers..

 

[alaskan155]

if it was a roll over air bags are designed not to go off

 

[SF559]

Ah, okay, thank you for the info. I feel "better" knowing there wasn't a problem then.

if it was a roll over air bags are designed not to go off

 

[kevinsranger]

there has to be a 15mph inpact or higher to the sensors or they wont go off, so if you rear end someone doing 10mph they wont go off, rollover wont go off, i flipped my sporttrac at 60mph and they didnt go off because there was little impact on the front bumper, the roof took the hit lol.

 

[shizzy]

you also have to hit within a certain degree of head on (60 degree window?) for them to go off. they are not needed in a side inpact or rear inpact.

 

[snake]

Be glad they didn't... those things will whip your ass but good! I'd only want them to go off during a head-on collision or something that will hurt worse.

 

[SF559]

Yeah, but that's whats so weird. When going off the embankment the front end hit first. The impact was strong enough to tear the bumper and grill off then it flipped onto its side and rolled. It was like a bad movie. Everything that could have happened, except an explosion happened. The truck landed right side up in a canal with fast running water (these trucks float btw) and then the truck slammed sideways into concrete pillar caving in the drivers side. During the whole incident the only thing that happened was the check engine light came on. I would have thought that the initial impact of the nose dive would have set off the airbags, but it didn't. But eitherway it's good information I'm learning here. I didn't know about the speed of airbag deployment, etc.

But inspite it all, the Ford Ranger is a sound truck. With this kind of impact, rolling over boulders, water, pillar impact although it sustained massive body damage (totalled) the interior was immaculate and not once did the cabin become breached, even when the windshield busted.

But if I can offer any suggestions don't get a vehicle with power windows/locks. During the wreck the electrical wiring was torn. The CHP and tow said that had I had power windows/locks I most likely woudn't have been able to get out of the vehicle when it was in the water because there was no power going to the components.

I appreciate all the comments. Thank you.

 

[kevinsranger]

i feel most of the ford trucks are tough as hell for rolling, this is my sport trac after rolling it 2 1/2 times at 60mph, and me and my passenger walked out

 

[Muddycowboy]

in order for the air bags to deploy 2 of the sensors have to send signal at the same time.

 

[Shoeboy]

2 sensors must send a signal at the same time, and the ABM must also detect a problem with a set number of G's. If one sensor is damaged and the ABM dectects the right force, the air bag light will come on, if one sensor is tripped and then another after the first is tripped and the ABM has the right force, the air bag light will come on. 2 sensors, and the ABM must be tripped at the same time. Also, when you hit, you probably hit with the under side of your bumper first, this would be an upward impact, and the air bags will not deploy, it probably never even tripped a sensor.

Also, I rolled my 1989 in November, the only things salvageable was the drivers seat, the tool box in the back and the shifter knob, everything else was damaged. That was flipping off the highway off a 50 foot steep bank and getting air for about 100 feet further up the road before landing on my roof, all the time knocking over trees. I walked away.

 

[james99]

for them to go of it has to come to a dead stop at 25 mph or higher it think you have to hit -2 gs for them to go of

be happy they didnt cuase if you hit an airbag they hurt

 

[dude772]

Also, I rolled my 1989 in November, the only things salvageable was the drivers seat, the tool box in the back and the shifter knob, everything else was damaged. That was flipping off the highway off a 50 foot steep bank and getting air for about 100 feet further up the road before landing on my roof, all the time knocking over trees. I walked away.

Rims and tires still look salvageable haha

 

[Shoeboy]

All the tires were pretty gashed up, I wouldn't trust using them. And I know that the front left rim would be bent. The drivers tire is straight, btw.

 

[My92Ranger]

They dont hurt all THAT bad.. Mine went off when I went into a mud pit doing maybe 15 MPH.. busted my lip but I was more confused than anything. Just came across this thread while searching for info on the airbag light. I replaced both of mine and the light is still on.

 

[Cheaplabor]

Yeah I dont know how long one would float, but they do float a little. I found that out one night in my 04. I was at my buddys during a bad storm there where four roads to get from there home. 2 were flooded and had log jams. I went to the one I thought was the high road and made a turn into a 20ft strech of flooded road. I got across but I could feel the truck lifting off the road and then settling back down.