Have you been in a collision on the road recently? Have your airbags been deployed during an accident? There’s no doubt that airbags are a safety feature that has saved many lives on the road.
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In fact, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety states that front airbags reduce fatality by 29 percent in frontal crashes, while side airbags can reduce the risk of death by between 37 to 52 percent.
If your airbags were deployed, you may be wondering what the next step is. Well, you’ll have to get them replaced by an expert. This raises the question; how high does an airbag replacement cost? We’re going to answer this question today.
Replacing an airbag can be incredibly expensive. The replacement bag alone can cost $200 to $700 for the driver’s side and $400 to $1,000 for the passenger side. Once you factor in labor, you can expect to pay $1,000 to $6,000, with the average cost sitting around $3,000 to $5,000.
You will pay that much per airbag repair or per replacement airbag.
With such a high number as the answer to how much does it cost to replace airbags, are there other options available?
How Airbags Work
To understand where the cost of airbag replacement comes from, it’s best to look at how they work. Airbags are a safety feature that inflates when there’s an impact and they deflate when a person comes into contact with them.
Normally, a collision will be detected by the car’s impact sensors. This is going to send a signal to the airbags to do their job and deploy for the driver and passenger. Hopefully, this prevents injury.
A seatbelt can help to lower the resistance of movement to the body and an airbag can help a driver or passenger’s head. Airbags are used in conjunction with seatbelts and they’ll inflate to provide support.
You may hear them referred to as a supplementary restraint system. Airbags lower the risk of injury to the lower and upper body caused by hitting the dashboard or steering wheel in your car during an accident.
The number of airbags depends on the age, model, and type of vehicle you own.
Airbags are a feature on all modern vehicles to help keep drivers and passengers safe in the event of a collision. New models and larger vehicles tend to have more.
Cars have been built featuring airbags since 1998 due to mandatory laws. You'll find them on lots of vehicle types; everything from compact cars to SUVs.
Will Insurance Cover an Airbag Replacement?
In most cases, your auto insurance should cover your airbag replacement. However, because this repair is so expensive, it is common for insurance companies to choose to “total” the vehicle instead.
If you have a cheaper auto insurance plan, then you are less likely to have airbag replacement covered at all.
What Affects the Cost of an Airbag Replacement?
Since an airbag replacement can cost between $1,000 and $6,000, including parts and labor, what accounts for this large variation?
The price depends on the make and model of the car in question. It will also depend on the airbag or airbags that are being replaced, as driver-side bags cost less than passenger-side ones. Some of this difference in airbag cost depends on the style of the airbag and its size.
Where You Buy
Where you buy the airbag will also affect the cost. You can frequently get replacements online for lower prices, but you would not have the knowledge of how to install them. Your mechanic may or may not be willing to let you shop around for the part since they have their own suppliers. Additionally, you would still have to pay for labor.
In addition to your mechanic being reluctant to install airbags you buy online, there are also frequent issues of quality. Unless you buy from a trusted source, you may end up with a faulty airbag. This could result in any number of issues from not deploying at all to not deploying in time to releasing metal shrapnel. Even if you do buy from a reputable airbag seller online, you are unlikely to get the same warranty that you would on an airbag from your mechanic. This can easily cost you more in the long run.
Labor
Labor is another big factor in the cost. Some airbags are more complicated to replace than others. The labor cost will also be affected by whether additional components by the airbag are damaged.
Number of Airbags
Keep in mind that if you are in a collision, it is unlikely that just one airbag will deploy. As such, when you find how much do airbags cost, you need to multiply that figure by the number of airbags.
How to Fix Deployed Airbags – What Else Is Involved?
As mentioned, the answer to how much to replace airbags will depend on the related work that needs to be done as well. In most cases, airbag replacement near me will also involve inspection and repairs to some related components, including the following.
The Airbag Control Module
You should expect to have to replace your airbag control module as well. This module has the impact sensor, which most vehicles do not allow to be reset. In other words, if you do not replace this module but replace the airbag, the system just will not work, and your repairs will be for nothing.
Seat Belt Components
Your mechanic will also likely replace the seat belt retractors and buckles as part of their airbag replacement service. This is because your seat belts likely feature pre-tensioners in the retractor and/or buckle. These pre-tensioners will tighten right before an airbag deploys and only function one time. If your mechanic does not replace them, you will not get that extra protection if your new airbags need to deploy in the future.
Inspection of Connectors and Wiring
The mechanic will also need to inspect the various wiring and connectors related to the airbag system. They may have been damaged in your collision or the airbag deployment, so this is an important step.
Car Components Damaged Via Deployment
In addition to the airbag price, remember that the cost to replace airbags will also need to account for any damage that occurred via the deployment of the airbag. A steering wheel airbag replacement should be straightforward, as only the steering wheel will have been affected. However, passenger airbags open up the dashboard, requiring that component to be repaired. Airbags may tear seat covers in the case of side impacts. The side curtain airbag replacement cost will include the price of repairing the headliner that was almost certainly destroyed in the deployment.
Your mechanic can let you know which components were damaged when the airbag deployed and how that affects the airbag cost.
Can You Learn How to Replace Airbags Yourself?
You should not attempt to replace the airbags yourself. This component is too critical to your safety for someone without experience and training to install it. If you make a mistake, it will not function properly and put you at risk.
Additionally, it is possible for you to accidentally deploy the airbag as you install it. This would not only waste the money you spent on the airbag as it would no longer be usable, but it could also potentially cause severe injuries.
A Closer Look at How Much Does It Cost to Replace an Airbag
Expect to pay at least $1,000 to $1,500 for each physical airbag. From there, you will also need to pay for the labor involved, which can easily add thousands of dollars to the cost. Then, you must add in the other additional costs mentioned above. An airbag module replacement will be at least $600, if not more.
There will also be a great deal of variation in airbag costs based on the make and model of your vehicle. For example, a driver’s side airbag in a Ford F-150 will likely be $200 to $700. The passenger airbag on a Honda Civic will likely be $400 to $1,000. Remember that most passenger airbags cost more than the driver’s side, but not always. You also need to remember that you typically have to replace more than one airbag.
Do You Need to Pay the Airbag Replacement Cost? Can You Drive Without an Airbag?
If you have sticker shock from the airbag repair cost, you may be tempted to drive without the airbags in place. After all, this will save you at least several thousand dollars.
You should NOT drive your car without an airbag in place. Remember that it was there for a reason, and replacing airbags after accidents is necessary if you want to stay safe. If you just remove the deployed airbags instead of replacing them, you will find yourself dealing with multiple problems.
It Is Not Safe
Driving without airbags is simply not safe, as they were there for your protection. If you are in an accident and do not have airbags, your chances of death or injury increase by 30 percent. You do not want to take that chance and put yourself or your passengers at risk.
Remember that significant evidence shows that airbags keep you safe. Estimates indicate that airbags saved an impressive 50,457 lives just between 1987 and 2017.
You Will Not Pass Safety Inspections
Depending on where you live, you may not be able to pass a safety inspection without fully functional airbags in place. This is crucial since cars that do not pass the inspection cannot be registered for road use. In other words, it will be illegal to drive your car if you do not replace the airbags.
The inability to pass safety inspections also means you cannot sell your car easily. After all, it will be hard to find a buyer who is willing to wait to register the car.
The Airbag Light Stays On
In addition to the more serious issues, waiting to replace the airbags will mean that your airbag warning light remains on all the time. This can be an annoyance.
Is It Worth Replacing Your Airbag?
Now that you know the answer to, “How much does it cost to replace an airbag?” is at least several thousand dollars, you may wonder whether it is worth it. We already established that you should not drive your car without an airbag, but what if replacing it is still not an option?
Situations When It Is Not Wise to Get Replacement Airbags
Every situation is different, but there are definitely some scenarios where it does not make sense to replace the airbags.
- The answer to how much are airbags or the labor costs are more than the car is worth.
- How to replace airbags in your car requires extensive additional repairs.
- Airbags can be replaced after an accident, but your car will be in the shop for too long, leaving you without transportation.
- You cannot afford to replace the airbags and need transportation for your daily life.
- You do not want to wait for time-consuming repairs and just want to move on with life.
- You no longer feel safe in the car after your accident.
- You were going to replace the car soon anyway.
There is no harm in deciding not to replace an overhead airbag or a different component. You just need to accept that you will not be driving your car again.
You Can Sell Your Car Instead of Paying the Cost to Replace Airbags
As mentioned, if you do not replace airbags, you will not pass inspection in many states, and this makes it hard to sell your car. In fact, the simple lack of airbags will make your car less attractive to potential buyers, whether they are individuals or used car dealerships. After all, the buyer would have to pay the airbags deployed repair cost before driving. This will either turn away buyers or force you to drop your price by the airbag repair cost, so you will still account for the cost of the airbag in the car price.
There is one alternative that lets you sell your car without having to replace the airbag after accidents. You can sell your car, as-is.
We Will Buy Your Car With or Without Airbags Repairs
If you do not like the answer to the question, “How much does it cost to replace airbags in a Honda or in your auto?” then consider selling the car to us as-is. You do not have to worry about the Civic Honda airbag replacement cost or the cost for any other model airbag replacement since we buy your car as-is.
Our team will make repairs to your car to help it reach sellable condition, use it for parts to repair other cars, or divide it into parts and sell those parts. No matter the scenario, we have a method of making money from your car, which allows us to offer you a fair price for your vehicle, regardless of the condition of your airbags.
Get Cash Right Away
Instead of worrying about how much are airbags and how you will afford the repairs, selling your car to us will give you cash right away. You can then put that money towards your next vehicle, so you still have transportation. This way, you are able to get a new-to-you, safe car with functional airbags and other safety features right away. You will not have to miss work while your car is in the shop or worry about paying for expensive taxis or relying on inconvenient public transportation.
Can Airbags be Reused or Replaced?
You may be wondering; will I have to replace my airbags or can they simply be reused and inflated again? The important thing to know about airbags is that they can only be inflated once. Of course, this affects the cost.
This means that if you’ve been in an accident on the road, it’ll need to be replaced afterward. It doesn’t matter how serious the incident is, they’re a one-time component of your vehicle and if they are deployed, that’s it.
If you’re in an accident, all the airbags in your car should inflate and deploy. This means everything from the knee airbags to the passenger side airbag and more. You will be required to replace them all when your vehicle is in the auto shop for repairs.
Can I Drive Without Working Airbags?
If you’re a busy person and have errands to run and work to go to, you might think about still using your damaged car. In particular, if it was only the airbags deployed with no external damage, you may think it’s fine to drive.
For safety reasons, this isn’t going to be the best idea. You need functioning airbags to pass your state safety inspection. You'll also have to stare at the annoying airbag light on your instrument cluster.
The main reason not to drive without working airbags is that you put everybody in the vehicle in danger. You never know when a collision might happen on the road. It’s always best to be prepared and ensure they’re working.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that frontal airbags have saved 50,457 lives.
It's always best to have working airbags at all times. Don't take chances when it comes to you and your passengers' safety.
In lots of countries, there are laws that say you must have working airbags in your vehicle. Additionally, your insurance company man invalidate your policy if you don't have working airbags.
It's never worth the risk to drive a vehicle that doesn't have all the safety components it needs in case of an accident. So, look to have your airbags replaced if they have deployed at any point.
What Are Airbag Replacement Costs?
Going down the road of replacing the airbags on a vehicle can be costly. You may look to have your airbags replaced if you have a new car and you want to keep the vehicle roadworthy.
But it’s important to be prepared for the price of repair and replacement. Otherwise, you may be in for a shock when you go to your local auto shop. It can be higher than you would expect.
It should be noted that airbag replacement costs are going to vary depending on the make and model of your car. If you have several airbags, this is going to cause the price to increase. Even different auto shops will charge you varying prices.passenger-side
For a compact car, you can expect the price to be around $4000. This is considering the various new airbags, as well as the labor costs from a local auto shop.
For example, for the driver side airbag, a car owner is looking at $200 to $700.
For a passenger-side airbag, it can be around $400 to $1000. If a modern vehicle has side curtain airbags, the price can be about $200 to $700.
For knee airbags, the price tag can be $400 to $1000.
But the bad news is that there are other components of new cars that are going to make repairs costly. If your vehicle has an electronic control unit, you can expect replacements to be expensive
You may have sensors, springs and the instrument panel to replace for your car to be safe again.
There may even be other parts of your vehicle that have to be replaced. This depends on where the airbags were deployed. For example, this can include parts of the steering wheel and the dashboard.
Your car insurance company may cover part of the costs. But you’ll need to check your policy to see whether this would be beneficial for you.
Can I Replace Airbags by Myself?
A lot of people ask if they can replace the airbags themselves. While you may be able to purchase the components you need, it’s not recommended that you try to carry out repairs on your own.
It's complicated to replace airbags, as well as dangerous. They can inflate at any time if you don’t know what you’re doing.
To ensure the effectiveness of your airbag system in the future, it’s best to seek out an expert mechanic to do the job. They have the experience and training that’s needed to make sure your car is safe.
What Are the Alternatives to Airbag Replacement?
Airbag replacement costs can be high. Some car owners may not be able to afford the price of replacement labor if their car needs repairs. The costs may even be more than the vehicle is worth if it's an older model.
Since airbag replacement is always recommended for safety, but there are other options. One thing you can do is sell your junk car as it is for some cash.
This can be an option that benefits you if you’re low on savings. But the problem is, it can be very time-consuming to sell your car privately. It’s a lot of hassle to post online listings and convince people to buy your vehicle even for scraps.
A lot of junkyards won’t offer you a good price for your vehicle even if it’s a good make and model. This can be frustrating and deny you the money that you deserve.
At Cash Cars Buyer we offer the best price for your used car. We're licensed and insured for peace of mind.
When selling a vehicle you have the freedom to turn your car into the best value. Buying a smaller or used car to replace the damaged vehicle. This is sometimes more cost-effective than airbag replacement costs.
Airbag Replacements Are Expensive But Not the Only Option
It is not safe to drive your car once your airbags are deployed, but replacing your airbags is expensive. If you cannot afford the repairs or your auto is not worth it, then sell us your car. We always offer fair prices without any hidden fees. We will come tow away your car quickly, putting cash in your hands. Instead of worrying about a vehicle taking up room on your property without any ability to drive it, you will have money to us.
I'd Like to Sell
Sometimes it's time to let go of that old car. For your safety and the safety of your family, or simply because of the financial burden selling can be the best choice.
We will provide you with a free estimate so that you can find out if this is the best option for you. There are no hidden fees. We pick up your car and you no longer have to worry about any airbag replacement cost.
Contact us today to find out what price you can get for your vehicle. We offer a safe, secure, and easy process to sell any vehicle.