Mikeroch

We have been told by BMW that you do not get the rear side airbags (option) if you have a small child? Also, we've been told by VW that it's "ok" (waiting to speak to someone there).

Comments?

April

then the airbags are not a good idea. If they are in booster seats or child seats that prevent them from coming into full contact with the door, it's not that big a deal. Dealers can usually turn off those airbags so long as you sign a wiaver.

Austin A6 3.2

Rear side airbags are very dangerous for small children. If you have just one kid, make sure it sits in the center seat (airbag or not, that IS the safest place in the car in either case). Use rear-facing baby seats in the middle seat until your baby outgrows these. Make sure that any child deats you buy use the LATCH system (a child seat mounting standard, which most vehicle manufacturers use in their cars).

Some cars have sensors in the seats that will deactivate the airbags for that seat if they detect that no passenger is in the seat or a child seat is fitted. I know that the A6 has that feature for the front passenger seat, but I do not know if the same applies for the rear side airbags (I checked the US and German site - no info to be found).

I attached a link to a PDF file with some interesting safety information for kids and adults.<ul><li><a href="http://www.iihs.org/brochures/pdf/about_airbags_english.pdf">http://www.iihs.org/brochures/pdf/about_airbags_english.pdf</a</li></ul>

schnellmb

I luckily came upon a C5 avant equipped with them. My old sedan didn't have the rear seat airbags. The dealer didn't have any sedans, nor could locate one.

When I was car hunting a couple months ago, no dealers ordered cars (BMW &amp; Audi), or in their searches, had cars with rear pass seat bags.

iove

adults can also be injured if their heads lean up against the door too!

stanj

The A6 has only two LATCH positions on the two outer seats. If you have a baby seat in the center, you have to use the 3-point belt.

I know, I have a baby. Oh, and we have rear bags on both cars.

Eric5412

I personally wouldn't recommend getting them if you have small children(just my $.02).I have them on mine, but I don't have kids. Maybe Audi kept them as an option for a reason????What other safety items are a option.

April

Some people may not want rear side bags because they rarely have anyone riding in the back. If there is an accident that sets off side bags, those rear bags will go off and result in a greater cost to repair.

Edward'TLS

the doors. Originally I was planning to order rear side airbags since I wanted all possible safety protection for myself and my family. However, the saleman told me that RS airbags may do more harm than good for small kids leaning against the doors. He also added that Audi specially instructed them to warn customers who wanted to order the RS airbag option for their cars.

schnellmb

trying to find rear side airbags since I don't have kiddies riding along. At least I have front side bags and front/rear curtains.