[Majumdarda]

Somewhat similar issue was reported earlier in June 2023, wherein a Mahindra Scorpio-N (Z8 variant) crashed into a tree and though the roof of the vehicle ripped open but the airbags did not deploy. This variant comes with six airbags but, according to the owner, none of the airbags opened in the accident.

It was later advised in some sections over the media that the way an air bag gets deployed is once the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) receives a signal from the sensor detecting deceleration, which in turn activates the triggering circuit to inflate and deploy the airbags.

In the above incident, the deceleration levels was not significant enough to get the airbags deployed. Also, there is a possibility that the roll over sensors did not register a rollover and therefore the curtain airbags did not activate though the side impact sensors should have been triggered and deployed the airbags.

Its one thing that an airbag did not deploy, which obviously needs fact identification, but an allegation that the S9 model did not have the Air bags at all, puts a new perspective altogether. I referred a post from November 2018 over this forum, when this model was launched and I quote "The safety equipment available in this variant includes ABS, dual front airbags and panic brake indication."

If the customer is indeed correct, though not sure how is that possible, a big question mark will be raised on QC aspects of Mahindra, across all markets!

[ghodlur]

Why is a Jan 2022 incident being picked up in the social media in September 2023? Does this mean that the incident investigations are done now and it has been found that the car did not have an airbag installed?

If the airbag isnt there in its place does the dashboard flash any indications or wouldn't there be any error messages from the ECU? Could the airbag be switched off as some cars do have the options of keeping the air bags turned off esp the co driver ones?

[TheFonz]

IMHO, whatever the outcome is, this is a step in the right direction.

Big corporations aren’t above the law and should be held accountable.

Due course of law should be followed and if the investigation does absolve them so be it.

[BleueNinja]

We can indulge ourselves in all sorts of theoretical arguments on how and when will an airbag deploy and when it won't because right now we have the luxury to get into the nitty-gritty of it.

The fact remains that airbags didn't deploy and this isn't a one off incident. As a Mahindra SUV owner myself I would be concerned that if I was ever unfortunate enough to be involved in an accident how assured I can be that airbags will deploy.

We have had cases where airbags didn't deploy on a car like Ecosport as well but one has to wonder if we as a consumer are buying these cars and sometimes pay beyond the set budget to get an extra set of airbags or active & passive set of features with a belief that worst comes to worst they will help and to ensure safety of our loved ones.

On the other hand, if it is a case of accessorising the car gone wrong due to unauthorised modification then too we need to think about how important are these aftermarket accessories for us if they mess up a car's safety system OR how important it is to maybe pay extra but get work done by thorough professionals.

Regardless, Incidents like these should be investigated to the core and judgement should be fair and just that would force manufacturers to improve their QC on these cars. Let's hope Mahindra and the judiciary get to the core of it. This news is catching traction and Mahindra who takes pride as one of the pioneers of safe cars in the Indian automobile industry would definitely want to clear the air around it.

As far as the claim stands that Scorpio didn't have airbags. I read a comment above that stated that this particular Scorpio was S9 variant. If that's true then I find it hard to believe that particular variant would be missing an airbag!

[Eddy]

It has happened before. Unfortunately, we do not have an update as to what happened finally in this case.

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/road-...r-injured.html (XUV500: Severe crash, but not a single airbag deployed (driver injured))

[shancz]

Originally Posted by BleueNinja

The applicant claims that airbag as a feature was explained to him during the purchase when he bought the car.

If the pics shared had just panned their cameras a bit lower we would be able to see whether the steering and dashboard had the "SRS Airbag" written on them and ending the discussion about whether the car was equipped with them or not.

[volkman10]

Mahindra's response:

[Majumdarda]

Now that ends the speculation, thank you for sharing. Wonder why a FIR had to be lodged in September 2023 to extract an official statement.

My limited understanding says that an FIR is required to be logged immediately.

Wonder what prompted the buyer to log this so late.

[kiku007]

Originally Posted by stallmaster

The car has deformation from all angles. I'm not sure of what 'appropriate angles of accident for airbag deployment' the agency is talking about.

Contrary to what you may think, Airbag deployment is controlled by a number of factors. If you do own a vehicle with SRS Airbags I would recommend you read the Manual.

There was a similar issue reported on another Mahindra vehicle and I posted the below in that thread,

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/road-...ml#post4442405 (XUV500: Severe crash, but not a single airbag deployed (driver injured))

I think some people believe Airbags to be some sort of magic silver bullet that'll save them from any crash. It doesn't work that way.

If the argument is about impact sensors, calibration of safety systems then, it is a completely different story and our discussions are going to be based on subjective opinions and personal bias and prejudice because I don't think we have enough credible material to prove Mahindra's implementation of safety systems is inferior to others.

[naikameya]

Can someone with expertise shed some light on what accident conditions make airbag deployment harmful? As a layman, I assume rollover should result in all airbag deployment.

If car companies are skimping on sensors to deploy airbags, then probably there needs to be some regulation.

[true_sedan]

I find it impossible to believe the car did not have airbags at all. A car during manufacturing goes through rigorous QC to ensure every bolt is in place. If the airbag was indeed not installed, the mistake could have easily been identified with a simple scan using a scan tool.

On the other hand, I find it certainly possible that the airbag was there but was not deployed during the accident. A frontal crash is simple. But a rollover is quite the opposite wherein the car is not decelerating enough to satisfy the trigger conditions. Until we have CCTV of the accident it’s quite difficult to say anything further.

[maheshm619]

Originally Posted by ghodlur

If the airbag isn't there in its place does the dashboard flash any indications or wouldn't there be any error messages from the ECU?

I've seen many drivers in U.P (own car / taxi) , driving with whole dashboard lit up like a Christmas tree and going carefree about it. Its a combination of both ignorance and over-confidence. The seat belts are buckled most of the time, but rarely with the driver / occupants.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by ghodlur

Why is a Jan 2022 incident being picked up in the social media in September 2023? Does this mean that the incident investigations are done now and it has been found that the car did not have an airbag installed?

Check out the date on the FIR, it was registered only in September 2023. Sometimes, FIRs take very long. I have usually seen the police being most reluctant to lodge an FIR, unless absolutely necessary.

I am sure there was a separate accident FIR. But this would be based on the father's criminal complaint (just a guess).

[BrakeDancer]

Mahindra cars and malfunctions? Color me surprised. If the airbags didn't deploy in a situation where the vehicle rolled over, that's just more egg on the face of Mahindra as a manufacturer. It's high time we started demanding actual, reliable, and predictable safety as a baseline, and not gimmicks like ADAS. I'm not aware of the intricacies of this case, but if the airbags were present and were supposed to deploy, and didn't because of whatever reason, Mahindra must face the consequences. Especially when your whole selling point rests on 'safety'.

[Spaced Out]

Originally Posted by BleueNinja

Regardless, Incidents like these should be investigated to the core and judgement should be fair and just that would force manufacturers to improve their QC on these cars. Let's hope Mahindra and judiciary gets to the core of it. This news is catching traction and Mahindra who takes pride as one of the pioneers of safe cars in Indian automobile industry would definitely want to clear the air around it.

Precisely. There is a major need for an independent transport safety investigation agency. In an ideal world, it would be able to hold NHAI and other govt bodies accountable for their road design, car companies for their products etc. The Indian police - that too in UP - are very poorly equipped and untrained to handle complicated technical investigations.

Cars in police custody are rarely intact after the first week. They are scavenged for parts with the thieves in cahoots with the police on this.

Originally Posted by GTO

Check out the date on the FIR, it was registered only in September 2023. Sometimes, FIRs take very long. I have usually seen the police being most reluctant to lodge an FIR, unless absolutely necessary.

Very true. Police reform is a significantly unaddressed question. I have called 112 to complain against loud music from 5 star hotel + lounge bar, post 10 30 pm. The local Thana calls me within 20 mins urging me to compromise and not call the central hotline.

Wish someone did a study on the ordinary Indians interface with the police. How we all end up pulling strings or compromise at all times.