Why Is My Airbag Light On? | Causes & Solutions

May 20, 2025

Why Is My Airbag Light On? Here’s What It Means and What to Do

The airbag light on your dashboard just turned on—and now you're wondering what went wrong. Is your vehicle still safe? Will the airbags deploy if you get into an accident?

We get it. At AllAirbags.com, we hear this question all the time. That little light might seem like a small issue, but it’s actually a big deal. Let’s walk through why your airbag light is on, what could be causing it, and when it’s time to replace a faulty airbag.

First, What Does the Airbag Light Mean?

The airbag system in your car is part of what’s called the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS). When you turn your car on, the system runs a quick self-check. If everything’s working, the airbag light will flash briefly and then turn off.

But if the light stays on or starts blinking? That means the system found a problem—and your airbags might not deploy in a crash. In most vehicles, when the airbag light is on, the entire SRS system is disabled.

In other words, if the airbag light is on, your airbags are likely off.

Why Is My Airbag Light On? 7 Common Reasons

Here are the most common reasons we see that trigger an airbag light, based on years of industry knowledge and customer feedback:

1. Deployed Airbags That Weren’t Replaced

This is one of the top reasons we see at AllAirbags.com. If a car’s been in a crash and the airbags deployed—but weren’t replaced properly—the airbag light will stay on until the system is restored.

Solution: You’ll need a replacement airbag to restore full function. [Shop driver-side and passenger airbags here]

2. Sensor Malfunction

Crash sensors are mounted throughout the vehicle—near the bumpers, doors, and other impact points. If one is damaged, corroded, or disconnected, it can trigger the airbag light.

Sometimes this happens after a minor accident or simply over time. Moisture and dirt can do their damage quietly.

3. Seat Belt Pretensioner Issues

The seat belt system is tied directly to the airbags. If the pretensioners or latches are faulty or don’t register correctly, the airbag light may activate.

While it doesn’t always mean an airbag is damaged, it does signal that the safety system isn’t functioning fully.

4. Clock Spring Failure

Inside your steering wheel is a component called the clock spring—a spiral cable that keeps your driver-side airbag connected as you turn the wheel. When this wears out, it can disconnect power to the airbag and trigger the airbag light.

You might also notice your horn or steering wheel buttons stop working.

5. Low Battery Voltage

After a dead battery, jump-start, or alternator issue, the vehicle’s electronic systems can act up. The SRS system may log a voltage-related fault, keeping the airbag light on until the error is cleared—even if everything is actually working fine now.

6. Under-Seat Wiring Disconnected

Wiring for airbag sensors often runs under the seats. When seats are moved back and forth, those wires can loosen or disconnect, especially in older vehicles. This is a frequent cause of flickering or intermittent airbag lights.

7. Faulty or Previously Deployed Airbag

If you bought a used vehicle or it was repaired after a crash, it’s possible a faulty or “dummy” airbag was installed just to clear the dashboard light temporarily. Sadly, this happens more than it should.

A used airbag that wasn't reinstalled properly—or one that’s already deployed—can trigger the airbag light again later.

How Do I Know If I Need a New Airbag?

If your vehicle was in a collision and the airbag light is still on afterward, there’s a good chance that the airbags have already deployed—or the system detected a deployment.

Here’s how you can tell:

The dash is cracked or the airbag cover is missing
You bought a used car with an accident history
A mechanic confirmed the airbag module shows a deployment code
The airbag light stays on even after clearing codes

In these cases, a replacement airbag is required. And that’s where AllAirbags.com comes in.

We stock:

All tested, inspected, and shipped quickly from within the U.S.

👉 Browse our airbag inventory here

What Happens If You Ignore the Airbag Light?

It’s tempting to brush off warning lights—especially when your car seems to drive just fine. But this one matters.

Here’s why:

Airbags won’t deploy when the light is on
Insurance claims may be denied if your safety system wasn’t functional
It could fail a safety inspection or prevent registration renewal in some states
You’re simply not protected in the event of a crash

Safety systems exist for a reason. Your seat belt helps—but without airbags, your protection is cut nearly in half during a serious collision.

What Should You Do Next?

If your airbag light is on, here’s what we recommend:

Scan the SRS system using an OBD2 scanner that supports airbag codes.
Have a technician diagnose the root cause—especially if the car’s been in a prior accident.
If a deployed or faulty airbag is the issue, replace it with a certified airbag from a trusted source.

At AllAirbags, we make that last step easy and affordable. We sell quality OEM airbags for most makes and models, shipped fast and backed by great service.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Ignore the Airbag Light

Your airbag light isn’t just a nuisance—it’s a real warning that something’s off with your vehicle’s safety system. If it’s related to a missing, deployed, or damaged airbag, that’s something you need to take care of.