The airbag light means the airbag system has a fault, and the airbags may not deploy in a crash. Have it inspected soon.
Meaning
The airbag (SRS) light means a fault in the airbag system. The airbags may not deploy in a crash.
Common causes
- Faulty seat occupancy sensor.
- Bad clock spring.
- Wiring or connector problem.
- Crash sensor fault.
- Low battery voltage.
- Seat belt buckle sensor.
Is it safe to drive
You can, but airbags may not work. Fix it soon.
Repair
Have a mechanic scan the SRS codes.
Cost
$100 to $1,000.
What the light means
The airbag (SRS) warning light shows that the supplemental restraint system has detected a fault, and airbags may not deploy in a crash, or in rare cases may deploy unexpectedly. The light comes on briefly at startup and should go off. If it stays on or flashes, the system has stored a fault code.
- Common causes include a faulty seat occupancy sensor, a damaged clockspring in the steering wheel, a loose connector under the seat, low battery voltage, crash sensor faults or a previously deployed airbag not reset.
- Wet carpet or items under the seat can disturb the connectors.
- A passenger airbag off indicator is different from the SRS light.
Safety and repair
The car may drive normally, but airbags and seat belt pretensioners may not work, so repair soon. A scan tool that reads SRS codes is needed, as a basic OBD-II scanner may not read them. Repair costs range from 100 to 200 USD for sensors to over 500 to 1,000 USD for a clockspring or control module. Do not tamper with airbag wiring yourself, due to deployment risk.
What the light means
The airbag warning light signals a fault in the supplemental restraint system, such as a failed sensor, seat occupancy sensor, clock spring or low battery voltage. The airbags may not deploy in a crash.
Safety and repair
Have the system scanned promptly. Repairs range from about 100 to 500 USD or more. Never ignore the light.
What the light means
The airbag (SRS) warning light shows when the supplemental restraint system has detected a fault. The system includes airbag modules, crash sensors, seat occupancy sensors, the clock spring and seat belt pretensioners. A light that stays on means the airbag may not deploy in a crash, so it is a safety issue.
Common causes and fixes
Typical causes are a faulty passenger seat sensor, a worn clock spring in the steering column, a loose connector under the seat, a low battery voltage event, or a previous crash. A scan tool that reads SRS codes finds the fault. Repairs range from about 100 to 800 USD depending on the part. Do not disconnect the battery and probe airbag connectors yourself, since airbags can deploy unexpectedly. The light briefly comes on at start up as a normal check and goes out in a few seconds.
Based on data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and automaker service manuals
