How Long Do Airbags Last

It is generally believed within the industry that airbags are good for 10-15 years without concern. The various sensors and mechanisms that sense a crash and trigger an airbag deployment are solid state electronics controlled by a monitoring system that checks their efficacy every time you turn on the ignition.

How long do airbags usually last?

Generally speaking, your airbag won’t wear out or require replacement, no matter how long you own the vehicle. While many automakers once placed labels in vehicles insisting airbags had to be replaced after 15 (or even 10) years, that’s no longer the case.

How often should airbag be replaced?

How long do airbags last? Back in the day, some car makers said airbags would need to be replaced after about 10 to 15 years. However, replacing airbags is an expensive business so that has been revised. The motor industry now agrees that time has proved airbags should last the life of the vehicle.

How do you know when an airbag is bad?

Turn the ignition to the start position and start the vehicle. Take note of the airbag indicator light. Normal operation is when the light comes on momentarily and goes out. If the light stays on or flashes, there is a problem with the airbag system.

Do my airbags need replacing?

Does your vehicle have a Takata airbag fitted? You may need to get your airbag replaced. Under the compulsory recall, all identified defective Takata airbags in Australian vehicles had to be replaced by 31 December 2020.

How reliable are old airbags?

The good news: Starting in the mid-to-late 1990s, vehicle airbags began getting lifetime ratings. In other words, they are expected to last the entire lifetime of a vehicle without any problems.

Do airbags have a lifetime warranty?

Unlike seatbelts, which sometimes have lifetime warranties (as in Honda vehicles, for example) car airbags only are covered by the new-car limited warranty. The only replacement airbag that can be guaranteed to be safe is an original equipment unit purchased from the automaker through a new-car dealership.

Do airbags stop working?

It is generally believed within the industry that airbags are good for 10-15 years without concern. The various sensors and mechanisms that sense a crash and trigger an airbag deployment are solid state electronics controlled by a monitoring system that checks their efficacy every time you turn on the ignition.

Do muscle cars have airbags?

They were only mandated as a legal requirement for new cars in the 1990s, so do classic cars have airbags? Most classic cars do not have airbags, but a small number of classic cars built after 1973 are fitted with them.

Are airbags good or bad?

Airbags are designed to protect passengers and drivers in the event of a severe accident. However, there are cases where airbags can actually cause more harm than good. Airbags can sometimes cause severe injuries, especially for occupants of a vehicle who are not wearing seatbelts.

Are airbags expensive to replace?

Airbags replacement can cost much more than just the airbag itself. On average, expect around $1,000 to $1,500 per airbag that needs to be replaced. That doesn’t take into consideration other parts that need to be changed; just the airbags themselves. Airbag module replacement will run another $600 and up.

Should I buy a car after airbags have deployed?

If the car was in a serious accident with deployed airbags, the discount should be much larger. A car that’s been in a severe accident is probably worth ruling out unless it’s so tremendously rare that you’ll never expect to find another one that hasn’t been in a severe accident.

Are replaced airbags safe?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) offers this advice: Replace any used airbags immediately after a car crash; Only use an authorized service center; and. Do not drive your car until the airbag replacement is complete.

How much does it cost to replace Takata airbags?

According to a New York Times review of Takata’s internal documents, each airbag costs about $100 to replace. Typically, the automakers pay the upfront costs of a recall repair and are reimbursed by the manufacturer of the defective equipment that prompted the vehicle recalls.

What airbags are being recalled?

Tens of millions of vehicles with Takata air bags are under recall. Long-term exposure to high heat and humidity can cause these air bags to explode when deployed.

Do I have a Takata airbag?

Just enter your vehicle identification number (VIN) to check if your vehicle is part of the Takata recall. You can identify your VIN by looking at your vehicle registration documents or by looking into the lower driver side corner of your windshield.

How often do airbags malfunction?

According to research data released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, tests have shown that airbags produced by the Japanese supplier for vehicles dating back to the 2001 to 2003 model-years may have a failure rate of as much as 50 percent.

How do you service an air bag?

Turn Your Ignition on and Off. First, turn the ignition switch on. Next, wait for the airbag light to turn on – it normally stays lit for seven seconds before shutting itself off. Then, immediately turn off the ignition switch, and wait three seconds. Repeat the initial steps once or twice before starting the engine.