Testing Cars for Airbag Safety

December 19, 2007-- Euro NCAP released the results for six cars: the Daihatsu Materia, Mazda 2, Honda Civic, Mercedes Benz C Class, Renault Laguna, and the Volvo V70, which were all put through Euro NCAP's rigorous testing process.

Euro NCAP tests unearthed faults that even the manufacturers' own safety tests failed to pick up.

During the tests of the Mazda 2, a super mini, and the Volvo V70, a large family car, problems were noted with the deployment of both these cars' airbags. In the frontal impact test of the Mazda 2, a small disturbance shortly before impact led to a delay in the firing of the airbags and protection of the front seat occupants was compromised.

Although these disturbances are not part of Euro NCAP's tests, they could occur in real life accidents. In the case of the Volvo V70, curtain airbag deployment was delayed in the side pole test.
Both manufacturers took steps to rectify the problems in their vehicles. Mazda improved the airbag control software in production cars and will contact all Mazda 2 owners, to ensure their cars are upgraded.

Volvo agreed to modify production cars and to contact all V70 owners. As a result of the commitment shown to modify the cars to the upgraded specification, both Volvo and Mazda were granted re-tests. The results released today are based on these re-tests.

During the re-testing, the airbags of the Mazda 2 deployed as expected but, unfortunately, the Volvo V70's curtain airbag again fired late. Volvo is currently investigating this issue. Consumers who are concerned about their own vehicles should contact their local dealer.

If there is a safety problem, Euro NCAP will not re-test the vehicle unless the problem is fixed on all cars.

Failed airbag deployment or not-Volvo and V70 was awarded five stars for adult safety and four stars for child safety.