JHA4

I am considering if I should order rear seat air bags with my B8 A4 2.0T Quattro. Where are these bags located exactly? What is the likelihood of inadvertent deployment of the bags by bumping up against the door or rear pillar? Could a passenger of small stature be injured by these bags?

dk1

According to my dealer, not recommended if you might have children as passengers in rear seats.

Also note that the car has 5 star crash test rating without additional airbags. Somewhere earlier on this forum there are links to crash test videos - both front and side.

mdwredb7

Sit between the rear seat bolster and the door, kind of under where the seat belt strap comes down...

PanzerWagon

the A4 has standard "curtain" airbags that protect the head and are child-safe.

The optional rear seat airbags should only be ordered if you never intend to carry small children in the back seats. Personally, I don't see the advantage of rear seat airbags as they cannot be used with small children

visual

Small children belong in car seats, and if they are in them, the the rear side airbags put an additional layer of protection between them and the door, which helps in a side impact. If they are older, e.g. teenagers, then they benefit from the extra protection at chest (thorax) level, in addition to the side curtain, which protects the head. Think about it - if the driver and passenger benefit from those airbags in their seats, why wouldn't the rear passengers?

We've done extensive research on this - it comes down to the same question as all safety features - will you be left wondering if you should have spent another $350 on a $35-45000 car if you ever get into a side impact accident, and its your child/spouse/parent in the back?

BMWBig6

Do you represent a research/medical/insurance organization? Or just talking about your own personal research?

JHA4

I appreciate the responses to my query re rear seat airbags. Today I had a very informative discussion with an Audi of America product specialist and am convinced that these airbags are safe for properly seated passengers and will provide protection in the event of a side collision. I will order this option with my new A4.

visual

Personal, but with the benefit of a very detail-oriented German wife who went through the german test results and various safety/design reports.