Your passenger airbag may be deactivated for a number of reasons. The most common reason is that there is someone in the seat who is too small to safely benefit from the airbag deployment. In this case, it is better to have the airbag turned off so that it doesn't deploy and possibly injure the occupant. Other reasons your passenger airbag may be deactivated include if the seat is empty, if the seat is reclined too far back, or if there is an object on the seat that could interfere with proper deployment of the airbag. If you're ever unsure why your passenger airbag is deactivated, be sure to check your owner's manual or contact your local dealership for more information.