Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Deployment Levels For Impact Protection Upon Head-On Collision
The table below shows how the SRS system usually reacts in the event of a head-on collision.
Level 1= Low speed collision
Level 5 = Severe collision
| Collision level | Front seat | Backseat | ||
| Seat belt not in use | Seat belt in use | Seat belt not in use | Seat belt in use | |
| Level 1 | No corrective action. | The belt tensioner is deployed. Airbags are not deployed. |
No corrective action. | The belt tensioner is deployed (certain markets only). |
| Level 2 | The airbags are deployed with a slow build-up of pressure. | The belt tensioner is deployed. Airbags are not deployed. |
No corrective action. | The belt tensioner is deployed (certain markets only). |
| Level 3 | The airbags are deployed with a slow build-up of pressure. | The belt tensioner is deployed. The airbags are deployed with a slow build-up of pressure. The adaptive steering column is triggered (USA/CAN only). The adaptive belt force limiter could be deployed (USA/CAN). |
The belt tensioner is deployed (certain markets only). | The belt tensioner is deployed. |
| Level 4 | The airbags are deployed with a fast build-up of pressure. Airbag ventilation could be triggered (USA/CAN only). The inflatable curtain could be deployed (2008-). |
The belt tensioner is deployed. The airbags are deployed with a slow build-up of pressure. The adaptive steering column is triggered (USA/CAN only). The adaptive belt force limiter could be deployed (USA/CAN). |
The belt tensioner is deployed (certain markets only). | The belt tensioner is deployed. |
| Level 5 | The airbags are deployed with a fast build-up of pressure. The inflatable curtain could be deployed (2008-). |
The belt tensioner is deployed. The airbags are deployed with a fast build-up of pressure. The adaptive steering column is triggered (USA/CAN only). The adaptive belt force limiter could be deployed (USA/CAN). Airbag ventilation (USA/CAN only). The inflatable curtain could be deployed. Airbag ventilation (USA/CAN only). |
The belt tensioner is deployed (certain markets only). | The belt tensioner is deployed. |
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.
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