[alexanderlt]

So I was rear ended yesterday morning on my way home. The kid that hit me had to have been going at least 30 MPH. Their car was pretty messed up. Mine looks to have done well, but we will see what happens when they take everything apart.

Something weird I noticed after the accident. My headrest popped forward, in doing some research I found out that my car has the "Active Head Restraints." Pretty cool I guess, my neck doesn't hurt too bad yet. I couldn't find any posts really about the Active head restraints actually being used and thought you all might want to see what it looks like in the event you are rear ended.


Also, there is now an alert on my iDrive screen that says "Fault in passenger restraint system affecting airbag, belt tensioner or belt-force limiter." Does anyone know what that's from? Did the system fail or is it because of the active head rests being used?

[mfanatic325]

Interesting on the headrest feature; didn't know about those. As for the fault on dash, I would get that looked at just for future peace of mind. Try to get the kid's insurance to cover the diagnosis of that as well as the bodywork for the damages.
I'm assuming someone was in your passenger seat at the time of the accident? If so, then the fault is probably from the belt receptacle tensioner, which is supposed to pull down on the seatbelt and hold a person in the seat firmly (not allow the upper torso to lean forward as much). Perhaps the tensioner just failed to operate correctly, or maybe because the accident wasn't too bad, so it tripped itself out. My guess is that to help the car owner save a bit of money, if the passengers aren't tripped, then the other safety features don't execute either. When I swapped my stock driver seat out for a bucket seat for the track, I transferred the seatbelt tensioner along with the seatbelt receptacle; which is why I can comment on this with my hunch. The tensioner seems to be actuated via a hydraulic cylinder, perhaps with compressed gas or something; and I think it would be one-time use if activated. Would need to replace that cylinder, and I'm betting it's not cheap lol...
In any case, like I said, I would get it looked at just to be safe. Would want it fully functional in case of any potential future emergencies (ya never know!). G'luck.

[alexanderlt]

I had no passenger at the time of the accident. I have an error like this come on a few months ago as well and took it to the dealer and they said my drivers seat sensor needed to be replaced.

Maybe that has something to do with it? I hope it's just the headrest that caused it.

[GammaZeta]

That was 30 MPH + !!!!!!!

Gotta love the BMW safety record. Doesn't look too bad. 30 mph would look a lot worse on other cars.

I got hit directly straight on in the rear while on the highway once. I was going 60 and the other guy 90 +. I guess he didn't see the white BMW directly in front of him....ME!

Anyways, car was totaled but no major injuries for me.

[mfanatic325]

Hmm interesting. I wonder why the code stated "passenger" fault and as a "restraint" system failure no less.

Well anyway, claim that crap xD
Free of charge FTW.

[positiveions]

glad you are ok buddy.

[alexanderlt]

Thanks!

[DBU]

You paid how much for your car and didn't know about the active head restraint system? seriously, glad you are ok.

I am 99% sure the active head restraint as well as the belt tensioner are one-time use and needs to be re-charged after they have saved your body from more serious damage. I believe they are powered by CO2 cartridges that are fired electronically when so ordered by the crash sensors/computer. The cost to replace the cartridges will be part of your dealer's repair estimate. No worries, mate.

I have no idea really, but the kid's insurance company is probably looking at a 5-7 grand bill. Would be interesting to learn the cost in due course.

[DBU]

Just realized his airbags popped. I believe your speed estimate. Again, good to see everybody seems to be ok.

[alexanderlt]

Honestly, I normally know every little thing about my car. I have no clue why I never picked up on the head restraint system. I will keep you guys updated as to how much it costs and what damage has been done. When I dropped it off today the estimate had a tear down estimate fee of $3,000.

[mfanatic325]

lol that kid is screwed. His insurance premium is going to skyrocket
His fault for not paying attention. I'm really against stupid kids driving

[Vigilante375]

That sucks! I was rear ended in my 06 GTO by some douche texting and no paying attention. I was hit while I was at a dead stop with him going 25 or so MPH and my car was all crumpled in the back but that is what it's suppose to do.

Glad you're doing well and that's pretty neat about the head rest restraint thing. But that kid's insurance is going to jump up majorly.

[Tinaphpc]

Gotta love the BMW safety record. Doesn't look too bad. 30 mph would look a lot worse on other cars.

[JohnMeadoo]

I guess he didn't see the white BMW directly in front of him

[alexanderlt]

So, just got the estimate from the repair shop. The estimate is at $14,121.35. Frame is damaged and whole ton of crap needs to be replaced and removed.

[FABIAN128I]

Originally Posted by alexanderlt

So, just got the estimate from the repair shop. The estimate is at $14,121.35. Frame is damaged and whole ton of crap needs to be replaced and removed.

😱Omg

[MisterSkiMask]

Originally Posted by alexanderlt

So, just got the estimate from the repair shop. The estimate is at $14,121.35. Frame is damaged and whole ton of crap needs to be replaced and removed.

Damn.

A friend of mine had a similar hit and you could see a wrinkle in the middle of the roof.

[Tinaphpc]

So bad

[alexanderlt]

Originally Posted by MisterSkiMask

Damn.

A friend of mine had a similar hit and you could see a wrinkle in the middle of the roof.

Yeah my right side panel buckled in some places!

[Rogue916]

Probably texting

[Efthreeoh]

Sorry, but that accident was nowhere near 30 MPH, more like 10 or just below.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by DBU

You paid how much for your car and didn't know about the active head restraint system? seriously, glad you are ok.

I am 99% sure the active head restraint as well as the belt tensioner are one-time use and needs to be re-charged after they have saved your body from more serious damage. I believe they are powered by CO2 cartridges that are fired electronically when so ordered by the crash sensors/computer. The cost to replace the cartridges will be part of your dealer's repair estimate. No worries, mate.

I have no idea really, but the kid's insurance company is probably looking at a 5-7 grand bill. Would be interesting to learn the cost in due course.

The belt tensioner is a pyrotechnic device, not CO2.