How Much Does Airbag Replacement Cost? What You Should Know

Most of the vehicles in use today have airbags as part of their safety and comfort features. These airbags are an essential part of every vehicle structure, and they can save you from harm in case of an accident.

Airbag replacement cost, sometimes called an airbag system overhaul or replacement is the process of replacing defective airbag modules, which are responsible for deploying the airbags during a collision in your vehicle.

What Are Airbags?

Airbags are an integral part of every car. They have saved millions of lives and have made us safer on the roads. However, airbag deployment can be hazardous to both the driver and passengers alike.

There are two main types of airbags: front and side impact. Front impact airbags provide protection to the head and chest in a frontal collision. Side impact airbags protect occupants from hitting the side of their vehicle during a crash by inflating from the sides of their seats.

In case of an accident, the sensors in your vehicle detect that there has been a change in velocity and deploys the airbag at high speed to protect your head from hitting anything hard or sharp in your vehicle during an accident.

How Do It Work?

In a vehicle crash, the airbag system inflates quickly to protect the driver and passengers from injuries. The airbag system is designed to deploy when there is a collision to help prevent items from hitting occupants in the front seat. It also helps to soften the blow of hitting hard surfaces such as steering wheels, dashboards and windshields.

Why Should You Replace the Airbag?

If your airbag deployment indicator light comes on, you should have your vehicle checked by an auto repair shop right away. The light may just be letting you know that it’s time for maintenance, but it could also mean that your airbag needs replacement. Airbags can become worn out or damaged over time if they aren’t maintained properly or if they are exposed to extreme temperatures or sunlight. If your airbag has been deployed in a previous accident, then further damage can occur as well as potential issues with functionality.

The most common reason for needing replacement is due to age or mileage of your vehicle. Most manufacturers recommend replacing airbags around 10 years after production date or at least every 100,000 miles driven (whichever comes first).

Components of an Airbag System

The main purpose of an airbag system is to protect the vehicle’s occupants in the event of a collision. An airbag system consists of several parts, including:

• SRS Unit And Indicator Light: The SRS unit is located behind the glove box. The indicator light will come on when the ignition key is turned ON. The light will also come on if there is a malfunction and the SRS system has been deployed. If this happens, have the vehicle inspected by a dealer as soon as possible.
• Cable Reel: The cable reel is located behind the left side of the steering column. The reel pulls out slightly if an airbag deploys in a collision or rollover situation.
• Fuse/Relay Box: The fuse/relay box is located below the instrument panel above each front wheel well. It contains fuses for the electrical system and relays that control the operation of various systems such as headlights and wipers. The fuse/relay box also contains relays for airbag deployment and other safety systems.
• Seat belt tensioner: This mechanism pulls the seat belt tight when the car’s occupant is in place, locking the bolt in place. It also disconnects the seat belt if it detects sudden acceleration or deceleration. This prevents passengers from being thrown forward during a collision.
• Passenger seat switch: Detects whether or not someone is sitting in the passenger seat. If there is no weight on this sensor, the airbag will not deploy.
• Pyrotechnic inflator: This contains a pyrotechnic mix of potassium nitrate and sulfur that releases nitrogen gas to inflate the bag. The gas also forces out any remaining gas from the inflator so it doesn’t rupture when it deploys.
• Electronic Control Unit (ECU): The ECU is the “brain” of the airbag system. The ECU receives signals from various sensors and controls the deployment of the airbags in response to these signals. It also monitors and records deployment data for use by technicians at a later time.
• Igniter: The igniter is a component that creates sparks to trigger an inflator, which then deploys the airbag.
• Impact Sensor: The impact sensor senses the severity and location of an impact and initiates deployment of the airbag once it has been triggered.
• Clock Spring: The clock spring provides power to activate the igniter at exactly the right moment during a collision.

How Much Does Airbag Replacement Cost?

Airbag replacement cost varies by vehicle and model, but it typically costs between $400 and $1,000 to replace the airbags in a passenger car.

Airbag replacement cost for trucks and SUVs can be even higher because of the added weight of these vehicles. In addition, some vehicles require additional components to be replaced during the process.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that airbags save about 7,000 lives per year in the United States. However, they can also cause serious injuries if they deploy unexpectedly or aren’t properly maintained.

If you’re concerned about your airbags failing, take your vehicle to an auto repair shop for an inspection.

Factors That Affect Airbag Replacement Costs

Airbag replacement costs vary based on several factors. The age of the vehicle, the number of airbags needed to be replaced and the type of vehicle are all important considerations.

Age of Vehicle

The older the vehicle, the more expensive it is to replace the airbag. This is because many automakers have stopped making parts for older cars. In addition, these vehicles tend to use more complex technology, which means they require specialized technicians who can repair them.

Number of Airbags

You may be surprised to learn that the number of airbags in your vehicle affects its replacement cost. This is because each additional airbag requires more labor and materials to install. For example, if you have a two-door sports car with two airbags and you want to replace one of them, then you likely won’t encounter any problems with the price or availability of parts. However, if you own a full-size SUV that has five airbags and you want to repair one of them, then you may run into problems finding a mechanic who can do the job.

Location of Airbags

Airbags are designed to protect people from serious injuries during an accident. An airbag can be located in different areas in a car or truck, such as the front seat or the front windshield area. The location determines how much it costs to replace an airbag. For example, it is usually cheaper to replace a side-impact airbag than a driver’s side frontal airbag because it is not as expensive as replacing a windshield. In addition, replacing an airbag that has been deployed may also be more expensive than replacing one that hasn’t been deployed yet.

Type of Airbag

Airbags come in two main types: frontal and side curtain. Frontal airbags are installed in the steering wheel and dashboard, while side curtain airbags are located along the sides of the passenger compartment. Side curtain airbags are often used in conjunction with frontal ones to provide additional protection against impacts from all directions

The Labor Involved

The amount of labor involved in airbag replacement is a major factor in determining the cost of replacement. Airbag replacement involves removing the old airbag, installing a new one, and making sure that it works properly. The more complicated the vehicle, the more time it will take to replace an airbag.

Type of Vehicle

The type of vehicle you drive can also affect how much it costs to replace an airbag. For example, trucks are much larger than cars, so they require more time to remove and install new ones. Trucks also have more parts that need to be removed before replacing an airbag because they’re bigger than most cars.

The Severity of Damage to the Car

The severity of damage to the vehicle will also determine how much it will cost to replace an airbag. If there is minimal damage, then it may only be necessary to purchase a new module instead of replacing an entire unit. For example, if only one side needs replacing then only that side needs replacing rather than both sides.

What Are The Alternatives To Airbag Replacement?

Airbag replacement is the most common way to fix a faulty airbag. However, some people don’t want to replace their airbags. There are alternatives that you can consider if you don’t want to pay for an airbag replacement.

Replace the Battery

If your car’s battery is dead, then it’s possible that your airbags won’t deploy in an accident because the system is not working properly. The easiest way to fix this problem is by replacing the battery with a fresh new one. You can also call a mechanic and ask him or her to check if there’s something wrong with your car’s electrical system before replacing the battery.

Check Your Fuses

If the driver’s side airbag light flashes on and off when you turn on the car or if you get an airbag warning light on your dashboard, your first step should be to check your fuses. This may seem like an obvious solution, but it’s something that many people overlook before heading out to get their car fixed. Check all of the fuses in the engine compartment and underhood area as well as under seats and dashboards. It’s also worth checking any fuses in other areas of your vehicle—like your lights or power windows—to make sure they’re not causing any problems with airbag deployment.

Check the Steering Wheel Sensor

Airbag deployment systems use a variety of sensors to determine when a crash has occurred, including one in the steering wheel. When your vehicle is involved in an accident, this sensor detects the deceleration and sends a signal to the airbag system. The airbag control unit then determines whether you need an airbag and how much time it has to deploy before impact occurs. If this sensor fails, it can prevent the airbag from deploying in time or at all.

Check Your Wiring Harness

If your vehicle has multiple airbags, each will have its own control unit that acts independently of the others — except when they’re deployed together by accident. In this case, all four control units will send out signals at once that can damage them permanently if they’re not designed properly. However, if one control unit goes out, it won’t affect any other part of your vehicle’s safety features.

Check Your Airbag Module

The first step in diagnosing an airbag issue is to check your vehicle’s on-board computer system. Most newer vehicles have an OBDII port under the hood or inside the cabin where you can plug in an OBDII reader and check for codes related to your airbags. If there are no codes, then it’s possible that there is a problem with one of the other components in your airbag system (such as the steering wheel sensor).

Why does Airbag Replacement Cost so much?

Airbags are a vital part of your vehicle’s safety system. They help prevent injuries in the event of an accident, and they can save lives. If you’re involved in an accident and suffer injury from the crash, it’s important to know whether or not your airbags deployed. If they didn’t, it could be because they are defective or because of problems with the sensors that trigger them.

Airbag deployment is a complicated process that involves many different components. The inflator assembly inside the airbag has to deploy quickly and forcefully enough to protect occupants in a crash. It also needs to do so safely, without causing any harm to those inside the vehicle.

Airbags contain a large amount of explosive material, which means they pose a serious risk of injury if they are damaged while they are still inside your car’s bodywork. If an airbag degrades before it’s deployed, it could become a fire hazard or cause an explosion if there is too much pressure inside the bag when it finally does go off during an accident.

This is why replacement costs for airbags have risen over time as manufacturers have invested more research and development money into making them safer for drivers around the world.

FAQs About Airbag Replacement Cost

1. How long the airbag replacement takes?

The airbag replacement process is a simple procedure and can be completed in under an hour.

2. When do airbags need to be replaced?

Airbags are designed to last the life of your vehicle, but they do have a shelf life. Some airbags expire after as little as four years, while others can last up to 10 years or more depending on their design and how they are stored. Most manufacturers recommend replacing all the bags in one go.

3. Will my insurance company cover the cost of my airbag replacement?

It depends on your insurance policy. Typically, a collision or comprehensive policy will cover the cost of an airbag replacement. However, you may need to pay a deductible before your insurance provider pays for the service.

4. Does insurance pay to replace airbags?

Yes, most auto insurance policies do offer this type of coverage. Collision and comprehensive coverage typically cover airbag replacement costs. However, it’s important to ensure that you have adequate coverage limits in place before relying on this type of coverage for your repairs.

Conclusion

It is best to consult with your local service center for an estimate of how much airbag replacement costs. According to estimates, the repairs for replacing airbags should cost around $1,000 or higher. Even if it does sound pricey at first, you need to keep in mind that this is necessary for your car to be able to provide you with optimal protection during a collision.