Side-impact air bags (SABs)

SABs offer protection to two principal areas of the body -- the head and the chest -- during moderate to severe side-impact crashes. The chart below indicates which vehicles offer what type of protection (head and/or chest) and the type of SAB used to provide that protection.

"Curtains" and "tubulars" are specifically designed to protect the head during a side-impact crash and keep the head and upper body inside the vehicle.

SABs providing chest protection (or "torso" bags) can deploy from either the seatback or the door. Some SABs (called "combination" air bags or "combos") typically deploy from the seatback. They extend upward and provide protection to both the chest and the head.

For more information on air bags, please visit the air bag section of safercar.gov.