Because airbag sensors measure deceleration, vehicle speed and damage are not good indicators of whether an airbag should have deployed. ...

Terminology - History - How airbags work - Regulatory specifications
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airbag -

It's hard to translate without more context but here are my interpretations:

起爆する is defined as “to explode” “to set off” (Shougakukan J-E Dictionary)

1) When an airbag is “deployed” it spreads out (explodes/gets set off) and performs its safety function. (although propellants are "ignited" inside the airbag inflator for the process, I think the word "deploy" expresses the overall function.)

2) When there is “non-deployment” the airbag does not inflate to perform its safety function.

If we're literally talking about the "exploding" of the airbag, it can be exploding/non-exploding (failure to explode) Please see sample sentence below which uses this wording.




Sample sentences:
In the Mercedes system, the sensors would automatically pre-tension the seat belts to reduce occupant's motion on impact (now a common feature), and then deploy the airbag on impact.


Variable force deployment front airbags were developed to help minimize injury from the airbag itself.
Today, airbag triggering algorithms are becoming much more complex. They try to reduce unnecessary deployments (for example, at low speed, no shocks should trigger the airbag, to help reduce damage to the car interior in conditions where the seat belt would be an adequate safety device), and to adapt the deployment speed to the crash conditions.

http://www.consumerwatch.com/automotive-defects/airbags.php

Failure to explode: Unfortunately, some airbags fail to explode at all. This can result due to a defective sensor or improper packing. In addition, it is illegal to repack an airbag. Once the airbag explodes it must be replaced.







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Note added at 2 hrs (2010-04-12 15:00:29 GMT)
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I forgot to include the definition of deploy:

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Note added at 2 hrs (2010-04-12 15:01:33 GMT)
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Verb: to deploy
2 : to spread out, utilize, or arrange for a deliberate purpose <deploy a sales force><deploy a parachute>intransitive verb: to move, spread out, or function while being deployed <the troops deployed along the front> <the parachute failed to deploy>
— de•ploy•able \-ə-bəl\ adjective
— de•ploy•ment \-mənt\ noun


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Note added at 13 days (2010-04-26 09:08:49 GMT) Post-grading
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Thank you for giving me credit, too, Gouranga. ;-)