Not really paranoid (more) (archive)

The complete automotive resource for buyers, sellers, and owners like you.

In both cases, being too close to them can be quite dangerous. The airbags are intended to get to a point between you and the car before you get to that same point. If you get there first (or go past that point), you can die or be otherwise seriously injured. Note that the vast majority of the instances where this happens all have something in common: shortness. Short (usually) women and children.

One would not normally intentionally put their body close to a front airbag, thus no waiver form. HOWEVER, those of us with kids realize that leaning against the doors is a common thing for kids to do in the back seat.

The waiver is intended to make sure that parents fully understand the very real danger of inappropriate use of the car when the airbags are turned on. If I had the rear airbags (which I chose not to get for exactly this danger, more details below), I would be very careful to not let my kids lean against the door (i.e. lying down in the back seat or letting their head flop outward when sleeping).

Keep in mind that airbags frequently get triggered in collisions where the collision itself would not have caused much (if any) physical harm. In those instances, an airbag actually is more harmful than good.

BMW is simply doing the right thing. Is it also adding a bit of legal protection for their dealers to help limit the leagues of lawyers from litigating, yeah, it is.

: : I ordered the rear side airbags on my '00 528i. The car comes with them de-activated and yes, the dealer will not activate them until you sign a waiver. The waiver includes a Q&A sheet and your dealer could probably give you a copy, but the most important "Q" is this:
: : ==================================
: : (copied from sheet)
: : Q3: I have small children and I know they should sit in the rear seat. Should I order the optional rear door side airbags?

: : A: Passengers are safer with rear-seat side airbags than without them.
: : However, children must be properly positioned and restrained to ensure their safety and avoid possible injury from an airbag deployment. (See your owner's manual to ensure proper positioning and restraint.)
: : For vehicles equipped with side airbags, all occupants should be properly restrained (children in appropriate child restraint systems; larger children and adults using the safety belts) and sitting upright. Never let an occupant's head rest on, or near any side airbag. If this warning is not heeded, the inflating side airbag could cause a serious or fatal injury.
: : If you are unable to ensure that children are always properly positioned (e.g., an unrestrained, belted child may fall asleep against the door), BMW recommends:
: : 1. do not order the rear side airbag option
: : 2. or, if your BMW is already equipped with them, have the rear side airbags deactivated free of charge.
: : =============================

: : You have to sign the Q&A sheet as well as a legal waiver that requires the dealer to install, and you to keep, warning labels on the rear doors (not visible when the door is closed) AND it is also a "waiver of claims" against the dealer, BMWNA and BMW AG because you authorized the activation. i.e. "I waive any claims I may have against (the above) because the air bag has been activated under my direction and with my consent."

: : The way I see it is like this... What's better -- slamming your fist into a wall with no cushion, or with cushion? I'd rather have the protection there if it's available. And I'm proud to say my car has 8 airbags!

: : Email me if your dealer cannot give you copies of the Q&A sheet and I can fax it to you.

: : JFrench
: Only in the US could we have a safety device that requires signing a waiver. I am not a lawyer, but I do know that faulty design is one of three reasons for a products suit. Like most waivers the are not iron clad. But I agree with you having them should be much better than not in a side impact accident. BMW's concern is a child placing their head near or on the airbag (to sleep) could be seriously injured. Beewang and I had a conversation on this issue which is in the archives. Anyway, bags are safer than none (teach your children to lean to the center when sleeping)

: : : I am thinking about ordering the rear side airbags. If any current 540 owners have them, can you give me some insight on the pros and cons? The dealer said that if you order them that you must sign a waivier before the will activate them. Is this true?

Questions, comments, or problems, please visit the Roadfly help desk.