Automakers are expressing concern over the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) new regulation requiring car manufacturers to install enhanced airbags in a large percentage of 2004 models. The NHTSA is demanding the installation of the safety devices, known as "smart" airbags, because of their ability to adjust inflation based on the size of the passenger. Current airbags, which expand at speeds nearing 200 miles per hour, inflate the same for everyone, increasing a young child or infant's risk of suffering a serious injury during deployment. Since 1990, over 130 children have died in airbag-related accidents.

But automakers say the new "smart" systems are also flawed. According to manufacturers, children in car seats may be confused for adults due to the extra weight of the carriers, while young adults may be mistaken for children when they take weight off seats by reclining or resting legs on the dashboard. Humidity and water may also cause a deployment error. The NHTSA has denied automaker requests to extend the September 2003 phase-in date for the new airbags.