Airbags are one of the most significant car safety achievements in history. Between 1987 and 2017, airbags were credited with saving 50,457 lives. Most of us don’t think about the parts of our vehicle until they are needed in the event of a collision.
If your vehicle sustains a significant impact, causing the airbag to deploy, or if you buy a car that has deployed airbags, you will have to replace the airbags (and it won’t be cheap).
It’s important to understand the TOTAL cost of airbag replacement, especially because it’s not just a simple matter of replacing one component, to avoid any unpleasant financial surprises.
What are Airbags?
Vehicle airbags are a type of safety restraint used to support both the head and the upper body of the driver and passengers in cases of frontal or side-impact collisions.
Airbags are more accurately identified as Supplementary Restraint Systems (airbags) because airbags are typically used together with seat belts. All passenger cars have had frontal airbags as far back as 1998, and the same for pickups, everything else, like SUVs and vans, at least included frontal airbags as far back as 1999.
Side airbags are still optional on some vehicles produced now, even though many manufacturers include them in the description package.
After an impact, there is a plethora of parts to inspect based on what airbags deploy: front airbag sensors, airbag ECU, driver airbag, passenger airbag, front pretensioner seat belts, dashboard (on some models, the passenger airbag fits into the dashboard), and maybe even the steering wheel.
How do Airbags Work?
In the event of a moderate to severe impact, an airbag is rapidly inflated using a controlled explosion, and as the airbag comes into contact with a person’s head or body, the airbag deflates.
The impact sensors detect the collision, detect a decrease in acceleration, and turn it into an electrical signal that is sent to the airbag ECU, which sends a command to deploy the airbag.
During a collision, the sudden stop can cause severe injury to the driver or passenger due to inertia (resistance to change in motion, such as a change in direction of movement or speed).
Seat belts help restrict the driver or passenger’s body, but the head has to have something to keep its distance from the dashboard or windshield; that’s where the frontal airbag is useful.
Additional airbags installed in other parts of the car help absorb parts of the above body (head, torso, and legs) from impacting something solid.
Components of an Airbag System
Note: Not all vehicles have every component below. Each vehicle’s configuration depends on the make, model, and year.
Primary Airbag Units:
- Front airbag (driver and passenger)
- Side impact protection (door- and seat-mounted airbags)
- Curtain airbags (roof-mounted)
- Supplemental airbags (knee, far-side, etc.)
Sensor systems:
- Impact sensors (front, side, rollover)
- Occupancy detection system
- Seat position and weight sensors
- Seat belt buckle sensors
Control components:
- Airbag control module (ECU)
- Clock spring
- SRS warning light
- Wiring harness and connectors
Deployment components:
- Ignitor/initiator
- Pyrotechnic inflator modules
- Seatbelt pretensioners
Associated parts that may also need replacement:
- Interior trim (dashboard, steering wheel, headliner, pillars)
- Seat components and upholstery
- Door panels
All of these components are an integrated safety system. When airbags deploy, it is not unusual to have damage to multiple associated components, including the sensors, clock spring, and seatbelt pretensioners. The ECU may also need to be replaced or reprogrammed after deployment.
In some cases, damage to the driver’s airbag will cause ancillary damage to other components directly associated with the airbag, as well as damage to surrounding parts like the steering wheel, dashboard panels, or seats.
Average Cost of Airbag Replacement
There are so many things that must be repaired or replaced to address airbag replacements. This is why a professional will typically charge between $1,000 and $5,000 to have an airbag replaced. Labor costs will make up about a third of your costs.
Ultimately the price point depends on a variety of factors like the year, make and model of the vehicle, the locations and number of airbags, as well as the number and exact type of other associated parts that may need to be repaired/replaced (for example: the dashboard, airbag computer, springs, sensors, instrument panel, windshield and steering wheel).
Of course, replacing an airbag on a new Audi or Porsche will be much more costly than replacing an airbag on a 10-year-old Honda or Ford.
A driver’s side airbag can range from $150 to $600 per bag. A passenger side airbag will cost at least $300 to $800.
Knee airbags and side curtains are not as typical as front airbags, but will always need to be repaired or replaced if deployed. You could expect to pay almost what you would for a passenger-side airbag, though again, this could vary based on the design of the airbag and size.
When a vehicle has a seatbelt pretensioner deployed, the pretensioner will need to be repaired or replaced as well. Expect to pay between $80 and $120 to repair a pretensioner, and even more if you need to replace it with new components.
At a minimum, the ECU or airbag module will also need to be reset, which will cost about $50 – $150. If you need to replace the airbag control module, expect to pay somewhere between $400 and $1200 for a new unit.
Your auto insurance will typically at the very least cover the cost of airbag replacements after your deductible, although often the price to replace is so high the insurance company would prefer to “total” the vehicle instead.
Where to Buy and Install Airbag Components
The best options for installation of your airbag system components include certified auto body shops, car dealerships, or some auto repair facilities. There are even shops that specialize in airbags.
You can obtain airbags cheaper from discount auto parts, but they generally come with warranties that cover limited costs.
Be careful and avoid buying defective or counterfeit airbags, they can have serious consequences ranging from too late deployment in an impact, to releasing metal shrapnel from the airbags when the airbags deploy.
Many of the components are repairable, and even ECU resetting is possible via a reputable online retailer.
MyAirBags is probably the most well-known company specializing in airbag service. All you do is send them the bad parts, and they send them back in repaired condition.
Ebay can be a good resource for SRS components, just make sure you are buying from a reputable seller with a lot of positive feedback.
Insurance Coverage for Airbag Removal
Many standard auto insurance policies cover airbag removal when airbags deploy after a collision.
However, the exact process may differ depending on your insurance company and policy type. Here is the process generally.
Types of Coverage
- Collision insurance covers airbag removal when deployed due to a collision, regardless of fault.
- Comprehensive coverage covers airbag removal when deployed from theft or vandalism.
- Some factory warranties may cover removal when deployment is due to a manufacturing defect and/or recall.
Filing Your Claim
As soon as the airbags have deployed, you should contact your insurance company. Take photos of all visible damage.
As a policyholder, you have the right to choose any qualified repair facility. You are not obligated to use shops affiliated or recommended by your insurance company, but they may streamline the process for you.
A “good” car insurance company would never require you to use their affiliated shop, but that shop will be obligated to maintain high standards of quality. If you are dealing with any of the many “discount” insurance companies, your better option would probably be to source your own auto body shop.
Unlike an ordinary car repair, where finding the “best price” is the major factor, here you would want to find the highest quality shop available in your area.
So, do a little research and see what auto body shops have been “most esteemed” in your area. Think about who are the most expensive luxury vehicle owners who source auto body work for their cars. Those are probably “barn doors bold” safe bets.
If the insurance provider does not bring this up, ask if your auto insurance policy includes “rental-car coverage” for the duration of the repair. Most auto insurance policies include some limit (max dollar amount) for the duration of your rental car coverage while your vehicle is being repaired.
Repair facilities are going to do a lot of work on a vehicle that has had airbag deployment, and there may be many shops that may be several weeks out, instead of one or two days, even if you are just waiting for the shop to have availability.
Cost Considerations
Insurance will cover the removal of any airbag after you deduct the insurance deductible amount. Since the cost for removing the airbags can reach from $3,000 to $5,000 or more, insurance companies declare automobiles a total loss (not worth paying the repair costs) whenever you have an older car and the repair costs exceed the value of the automobile.
Important Items
- Always report an airbag deployment to your insurance company. It is almost always worth the risk of an increase in insurance rates to avoid paying for repairs out of pocket.
- Ask for OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts when possible.
- Always keep a copy of all three estimates, all correspondence, and all documents from repair facilities.
- Always get coverage commitments in writing before authorizing repairs.
Your insurance may charge more after filing a claim. However, your rates may not increase depending on your insurance company and circumstances.
Some insurance companies offer accident forgiveness programs or awards for having the least number of accidents in the past. me companies offer accident forgiveness programs that might prevent rate increases.
Buying a Vehicle with Airbag Issues
Red Flags and True Costs
For a buyer, a vehicle with deployed airbags or an SRS light (or both) can seem like an inexpensive buy, but corresponding repair costs often far exceed the initial savings.
The reasons are: an SRS warning light (could indicate) either a minor issue like a sensor, or major issues like missing airbags, and without any diagnostics done by a qualified professional, you won’t know the true extent of repair needed.
Auto Auctions
Many damaged vehicles are sold at auto auctions for great prices. While damaged body panels may seem like “easy repairs”, replacement of invaluable airbag systems are frequently ignored out of the equation.
You may only have to pay a couple of hundred dollars to replace the bumper and paint, but that’s only a portion of the total repair costs.
After all, there is a reason many of these vehicles were deemed a “total loss” following the accident: because the insurance company determined that repair costs would exceed the value of the vehicle. And those attractive prices usually come with a hefty repair bill hanging around the car’s neck.
What to Check:
- Acquire the VIN and check for open recalls
- Ask for reports and all accident histories
- Have the SRS computer scanned by an outside company
- Watch for any visible signs that the airbags have previously deployed (ie torn fabric, missing pieces of trim)
- Check to see if airbags are actually present as indicated on the cover
- Verify if any previous repairs were performed using OEM parts
Hidden Problems
Even if airbags were replaced, they may have been improperly installed, or possibly counterfeit parts, rendering the airbag system potentially dangerous, or ineffective. Some vehicles may have had airbags removed without being replaced, which in many cases is illegal.
Even a simple blinking air bag light could result in a couple grand worth of repairs – and just because the seller says you just need to reset the airbag, doesn’t mean that’s all it needs. If it only needed a reset, wouldn’t the seller have done that before they offered it for sale?
Professional Inspection
Before you purchase, always have a qualified mechanic assess the complete airbag system. For a diagnostic fee (typically $100-200) you could avoid being faced with several thousand dollars in repairs after you have bought it.
Final Thoughts
If you still have an interest in the vehicle, knowing they have issues with their airbag, and have not checked the car in), consider repair costs before making a deal.
If you determine that repairs will cost you $4,000, it would take a car price of $5,000-6,000 less than the market price to make the repair financially viable.
And just remember that insurance companies may charge higher premiums or even deny coverage on vehicles that have unrepaired safety systems.