What is a potential outcome if crush-able bumpers are damaged by fire?

The potential outcome of damaged crush-able bumpers due to fire is a reduction in structural integrity. Crush-able bumpers are designed to absorb impact energy during a collision, protecting the vehicle’s structural components and its occupants. When subjected to fire, the materials that make up these bumpers can weaken or lose their effectiveness. This degradation compromises the bumper's ability to absorb energy, leading to a failure in protecting the vehicle's structure during an accident. The overall safety of the vehicle is negatively impacted, which increases the risk of injury to occupants.

Other options, while they may seem plausible, do not align with the consequences of fire damage to crush-able bumpers. For instance, fire damage does not increase car stability; in fact, it often does the opposite by making the vehicle less stable in collisions. Similarly, while crush-able bumpers have a role in enhancing safety, their effectiveness can be severely compromised when damaged. Moreover, improved airbag functionality is not connected to the condition of the bumpers; instead, airbags rely on intact sensors and system operability, which are independent of bumper integrity.