Car Airbag Problems: 5 Most-Common Issues & Fixes

Car airbags are a critical safety feature that protects drivers and passengers in the event of an accident. 

When used appropriately, these inflating cushions can greatly minimize the chance of harm and potentially save lives. However, airbags, like any other component, can develop faults with time. 

In this article, we will explore the most frequent airbag problems experienced by car owners and offer strategies to successfully fix them.

1. Airbag Warning Light

The lighting of your vehicle’s airbag warning light on the dashboard is, without a doubt, one of the most worrying scenarios for any driver. 

This little, seemingly insignificant signal is typically portrayed as a sitting figure with an inflated airbag in front of it. When this light glows, it is a strong indication that the car’s airbag system demands immediate maintenance.

A defective sensor or a loose connection to the sensor are two typical causes for the airbag warning light to activate.

These sensors are strategically located throughout the vehicle to detect rapid deceleration or accidents that may necessitate the deployment of the airbags.

Also, due to moisture, temperature variations, or physical damage, the wire that links the airbag sensor to the airbag control module could deteriorate over time. 

Furthermore, issues with the vehicle’s battery or electrical components can cause the airbag warning light to illuminate. Low voltage, voltage oscillations, or a dead battery can all cause the airbag system to malfunction.

If you’re having this problem, here are possible solutions:

Seat Belts: A loose or incorrectly attached seat belt can sometimes cause the airbag warning light to illuminate. Check that all occupants’ seat belts are correctly secured.

Consult an Expert Mechanic: Attempting to diagnose or fix airbag system faults on your own is not recommended since misusing the system can lead to more challenges.

Diagnostic Check: A certified technician should conduct a complete diagnostic check on the airbag system using specialized equipment to locate the exact problem.

The diagnostic method will determine whether the warning light is caused by a defective sensor, damaged wiring, a malfunctioning control module, or another issue.

Repairs or replacements: The technician will suggest the required repairs or replacements based on the diagnosis. 

Regular Inspections: Regular inspections can detect problems before they become severe, assuring your safety on the road.

Overall, an illuminated airbag warning light is not a minor issue. 

To protect your safety and ensure the proper functioning of your airbags, rectify this problem as soon as possible by visiting a skilled mechanic or service center for a comprehensive diagnostic check and any necessary repairs or replacements. 

2. Faulty Airbag Sensors

Airbag sensors are essential parts of your car’s safety system. 

They are intended to detect rapid deceleration, collisions, and impact severity. These sensors are critical in guaranteeing that airbags deploy when necessary and with sufficient force to safeguard occupants. 

However, if these sensors fail, the functionality of the airbag system is jeopardized, resulting in faulty or no deployment during an accident.

These sensors are frequently strategically located throughout the vehicle, such as the front bumper, doors, and other high-impact places. As a result, prolonged contact with road debris, dampness, and environmental toxins can cause sensor degradation.

Airbag sensors, like any other electrical component, can wear out over time, meaning that their sensitivity and dependability can decrease as they age, raising the probability of failures.

Another problem is that the wire that links the airbag sensors to the airbag control module becomes damaged or develops loose connections. This can cause sensor problems by interfering with the transmission between the sensors and the control module.

Here are some possible ideas for you to consider if you suspect a fault:

Professional Inspection: If you believe that the car’s airbag sensors are failing, you should have a certified technician examine them.

Diagnostic Testing: A qualified technician will test the functionality of the airbag sensors using specialized diagnostic equipment. 

Sensor Replacement: The technician will confirm that the replacement sensor is properly calibrated to function with the airbag system in your car.

Checking the Wiring and Connections: Any broken wire or loose connections must be fixed or replaced to guarantee adequate communication between the sensors and the control module.

Preventive Maintenance: Contemplate regular vehicle maintenance to boost the life of your car’s airbag sensors and decrease the probability of future problems. 

Faulty airbag sensors are a major worry since they have a direct impact on the efficiency of your vehicle’s airbag system in safeguarding you and your passengers in the event of an accident. 

3. Deployed Airbags Without a Collision

The deployment of airbags in the absence of a visible collision or impact is a rare but dangerous occurrence that may leave drivers unprepared. 

This is an unsettling and perhaps dangerous circumstance that can occur while driving or even while the car is parked. 

Since your vehicle’s airbag system is dependent on an intricate web of electrical parts to function properly, electrical glitches or malfunctions within this system might cause sudden airbag deployment.

Sensors made to detect abrupt deceleration or collisions that fail might misinterpret typical driving conditions or slight vibrations as a collision. This misunderstanding might result in airbag deployment.

Additionally, manufacturing issues inside the airbag system, such as a malfunctioning control module or bad wiring, can cause unpredictable airbag deployment in rare situations.

If this has ever happened to you, you know how scary it can be.

Here are a few solutions to help you in this circumstance: 

Safety First: First and foremost, if your airbags activate suddenly while driving, the urgent objective is to preserve vehicle control and guarantee your safety. 

Switch Off the Engine: Switch off the vehicle’s engine to avoid any potential fires or further airbag deployment.

Visit a Professional Mechanic: Once the car has been towed to a repair facility, visit a professional mechanic or an authorized service center to examine the airbag system thoroughly. 

Manufacturing Defects: If it is established that the unexpected deployment was caused by a manufacturing problem in the airbag system, contact the vehicle manufacturer promptly.

Sensor and Wiring Inspection: The technician will thoroughly check the sensors and wiring in the airbag system to look for any defects, damage, or loose connections. 

System Reprogramming: To prevent future unexpected deployments, the airbag control module may need to be reprogrammed in some situations. 

Ultimately, airbags that deploy without a collision are a concerning issue, and it requires immediate attention to protect your safety and solve any underlying issues with the airbag system. 

4. Corroded or Loose Wiring

Acting as the nervous system of your vehicle’s airbag system, wiring connects essential parts such as sensors, the control module, and the airbag itself.

When this wire corrodes or develops weak connections, it might cause communication problems within the system, resulting in malfunctions that jeopardize the efficiency of your airbags. 

Moisture, excessive humidity, or water entry can cause corrosion of the wire within the airbag system over time, affecting the flow of electrical signals.

However, wiring, like all other components in a car, may degrade with age and wear and tear. This deterioration results in insulation failure, fraying, or wire damage.

In certain circumstances, wiring problems may be traced back to poor manufacturing quality, such as insufficient insulation or the use of subpar materials throughout the manufacturing process.

If you feel you are having this problem, the following steps should be taken:

Professional Inspection: A professional inspection by a certified specialist is essential. It is unsafe to handle electrical concerns without sufficient training.

Diagnostic testing: Diagnostic testing can detect zones of corrosion, loose connections, and broken wires.

Wiring Repairs or Replacement: To maintain safe and dependable communication within the system, deteriorated or corroded wires ought to be substituted with new, well-insulated wiring.

Preventive measures: These may include covering wiring in locations prone to moisture exposure with protective coatings or ensuring that wiring is securely housed and insulated during maintenance or repairs.

Handling: Use caution while working around the airbag system if you are conducting DIY maintenance or repairs on your vehicle. Tugging, bending, or tampering with the wires is not recommended since it might result in loose connections or damage.

Quick identification and solution of wiring issues through expert examination and required repairs or replacements are critical for your road safety. 

5. Malfunctioning Airbag Control Module

The airbag control module is frequently referred to as the “brain” of your vehicle’s airbag system. It is critical to ensure that the airbags deploy properly in the case of a collision. 

When the control module fails, this might result in an incorrect airbag launch, delayed launch, or no launch at all. 

For it to function properly, this module requires a solid electrical system. Any electrical difficulties, such as voltage fluctuations, short circuits, or power surges, have the potential to harm or interrupt the operation of the control module.

Manufacturing flaws or component failures inside the control module itself can also cause problems in rare situations. 

Extreme temperature variations, particularly extreme heat, can also harm the internal components of the control module, resulting in unpredictable behavior or failure.

Furthermore, a vehicle accident or impact might damage the airbag control module, leaving it ineffective or dysfunctional.

Here are some solutions you can look at to rectify this issue:

Professional Inspection: Consult a professional technician or take your car to an authorized service center to diagnose and repair a defective airbag control module. 

Diagnostic testing: Diagnostic testing can determine whether the control module is faulty or if there are other underlying flaws in the system.

Replacement of the Control Module: If the control module turns out to be malfunctioning, it must be replaced with a new or correctly functional module. 

Electrical System Inspection: To avoid future control module problems, the technician may need to do a thorough examination of the vehicle’s electrical system. 

Environmental Considerations: Be careful where you park your car, especially in bad weather. Avoiding extended exposure to high temperatures or intense sunlight can help safeguard delicate electrical components. It is a good idea to use an outdoor car cover for added protection.

In conclusion, a faulty airbag control module offers a significant safety concern since it directly affects the correct deployment of airbags – a critical safety component in your car. 

It is critical to identify and treat control module concerns as soon as possible through expert examination and, if necessary, module replacement. 

Sources

Why Is My Airbag Light On? Here are the Top Reasons!

7 Common Reasons Why Your Airbag Light is On + How to Reset

What Are The Common Causes of Airbag Failure?

Was this article helpful?