Airbag Warning Light

Airbag Warning Light

The airbag light indicates that there is an issue with the seatbelts or airbags in your car. Since air bags are a very important safety feature, it is not safe to drive with the air bag light on. Airbags should deploy during a crash to prevent the passengers crushing between the parts. Therefore, you are at a greater risk of injury or death at the time of a crash.

Reasons for the Airbag waring light

Vehicle has already been in an accident.

If your vehicle has already been in an accident and the airbags deployed you need to replace the sensors and the airbags. Even if you have replaced these, your mechanic must have forgotten to reset the system. Although airbags don't deploy in minor accidents the crash sensors might get activated. If so, these need to be replaced or reset.

Damaged Airbag Clock Spring

The airbag clock spring maintains the continuity between the electrical system and the driver side air bag. As the Wheel is turned right and left, the coil goes in and out. This can get worn with time and causes a poor electrical connection. IN this case you might have to replace the airbag clock spring.

Wet Airbag Module

If water enters the vehicle it can damage the airbag module located under the seats. If the electronic parts get corroded with water, the airbag module won't work properly.

Faulty crash sensors

Cars have dozens of sensors linked by hundreds of electrical wires. Crash sensors are located at front and the sides of the vehicle and senses any crashes. Sensors can have problems. These problems will be detected by the car computer and generate an error code while giving out the air bag warning light. These sensors need to be inspected and replaced from time to time.

Depleted Airbag Backup Battery

The air bag system has its own battery. If the car's main battery has drained it can make the backup battery to drain too. But the airbag battery should charge again when the main battery is charged. If not, the backup battery need to be recharged with a sensor reset.

Seatbelts not buckled properly

Vehicles have sensors that can detect whether you have buckled the seatbelts. When things get clogged inside the belts won't buckle properly, and will be detected by the sensors as not buckled up. Sometimes it could be a problem with the electrical wires connecting the sensors.. For the airbags to deploy, the seatbelts must be fastened. When the car identifies as you have not fastened the belts properly, it won't deploy the airbags in a collision and will give the airbag warning light instead.


When your airbag warning light comes on the dashboard, you must make sure that you are wearing the belts properly and they get buckled securely. If the light is still on, you must take the car to a mechanic to get a scan done to see where the problem is.