I am a little over 5 feet tall and have to have the driver’s seat all the way forward. This places me up against the steering wheel with little space for airbags to activate. I have a 2000 Buick LeSabre, and I am afraid I would likely be killed by the airbag if I got into an accident. Am I the only person this tall who worries about this, and is it a real problem? I have looked at new sedans and the problem doesn't seem to be addressed for people of my height or less. Can the airbags be legally disengaged? Are there any new sedans that offer adjustable brake and accelerator pedals like some of the SUV's, which I do not want?
Kathy, you are not the first person to worry about being injured by airbag deployment. It is possible for smaller-framed driver’s to experience injuries resulting from airbag deployment if they are positioned too close to the steering wheel. The risk of injury can be prevented, though, by using a seat belt and a properly adjusted seat and steering wheel. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends drivers be at least 10 inches from the steering wheel and point the steering wheel toward the breastbone (not the head or neck) on vehicles equipped with front airbags. Wearing a seat belt is a must to benefit from airbags.
You mention a few options to cope with the close seating position, including disabling the airbag or simply buying a new car. It is possible to disable the airbag, but to do this legally you need permission from NHTSA. If you cannot position yourself to the recommended distance and you’ve decided it’s time for a new car anyway, there are sedans out there with adjustable pedals and tilt/telescoping steering wheels, not just SUVs. The combo of these two adjustability options will greatly increase the comfort and safety level for smaller drivers.
Fortunately for you, most of the cars available with adjustable pedals and telescoping steering wheels are full-size sedans similar to your 2000 Buick LeSabre. Click on each to head over to our Research section, where you can find pricing and reviews.
2008 Saturn Aura — Tilt/telescoping steering wheel and power-adjustable foot pedals
2008 Chevrolet Malibu — Tilt/telescoping steering wheel and power-adjustable foot pedals
2008 Chrysler 300 — Tilt/telescoping steering wheel and power-adjustable foot pedals
2008 Dodge Charger — Tilt/telescoping steering wheel and power-adjustable foot pedals
2008 Hyundai Azera — Tilt/telescoping steering wheel and power-adjustable foot pedals
2008 Jaguar XJ — Tilt/telescoping steering wheel and power-adjustable foot pedals
2008 Kia Optima — Tilt/telescoping steering wheel and power-adjustable foot pedals
2008 Pontiac G6 — Tilt/telescoping steering wheel and power-adjustable foot pedals
2008 Lincoln Town Car — Power-adjustable foot pedals
2008 Mercury Grand Marquis — Power-adjustable foot pedals
2008 Kia Amanti — Power-adjustable foot pedals
2008 Ford Taurus — Power-adjustable foot pedals
2008 Mercury Sable — Power-adjustable foot pedals
You can find more information about airbag safety relating to smaller drivers and passengers at Safercar.gov (NHTSA) and IIHS.org (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety).
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* Sable added. Thanks.
Althou the info given is mostly correct here, even adjustable pedals dont help. My wife, all of 4'10 1/2 inchs tall, 95 lbs, in any car, with or without adjustable pedals, sits about 2-7 inchs away from the steering wheel. The best vehicle for her so far has been a 2000 Ford Expedition, with just a tad over 7 inchs, when using adjustable pedals. But with gas prices.... Getting the permission for the Shunt provision from the NHTSA is actually pretty easy to get, however, finding a dealer that is willing to install the Shunt is nearly imposible. Even thou its basicly a written permission notice from the government, the dealers, who are the only ones allowed to install the shunt, are afraid of the liabiltiy. Its a nightmare finding a car for my lovely wife, one that she can drive, and me, is nearly imposible. We finally decided on a Pontiac Aztek, which gave her 6 inchs of distance from the steering wheel.
I'm a 5' tall female and bought my 2004 Chevy Malibu LT Maxx hatchback primarily because it was the only car I could find at the time that had adjustable foot pedals, multi-position steering wheel, and also all the passenger seats folded down to resemble my 1987 Blazer that died. I can easily drive as much as a foot away from the airbag by moving the pedals toward me as far as possible, and pushing the steering wheel away from me as far as possible. The driver's seat is also multi-position and I can raise it up and see out just fine. I get about 20 MPG in city, 28-30 on the road. It's loaded with extra goodies, but the adjsutable foot pedals and steering wheel sold me the car.
I am 4"10" and have the added problem of being overweight so no matter what I "try on", but the time I have the seat back far enough, the pedals might as well be on the front bumper! I now drive a 2002 Ford Windstar and it's the best fit of all! Too bad the manufacturer won't be making them anymore... We also own a Mercury Marquis and it's a pretty tight fit. I just feel I need to "take my chances" and hope the airbag doesn't deploy. I was "trying on" cars today and there's just not much out there to meet my needs. Where do you get pedal extentions?
I have a Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited with a big v8 Hemi engine, and I am looking for a more efficient auto. One with adjustable pedals is preferred, but I am not having much luck. I am about 5' and have problems with my back so I am shrinking. My present auto has spoiled me because the seat adjusts, and the pedals do too. I can see over the wiper blades and am far enough away from the steering wheel not to be in danger of death from the air bag. I have been looking for a long time, but the SUV makers are not up to speed with their prospective owners needs. The type gives me room to carry things and take people places in bad weather which I do quite often. They are elderly folks that do not drive, and I shop for them. I wish auto makers were more aware of peoples height challenges.
My 2003 Nissan Murano had adjustable pedals which worked great for my wife. Unfortunately, we test drove the all-new 2009 Murano and the pedals no longer move. My wife (5') drove the car and even with the telescopic steering wheel she was driving tip-toed. So, we couldn't buy the car. Still looking for a crossover with the pedals so she doesn't have to sit on the steering wheel when driving.
All airbags can be a true safety hazard unless the module has been reset. The airbag module needs to be reset if the srs light in the dashboard is flashing. If your airbag light is on then have it repaired and the light will turn off.
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