What to know about airbag warning lights

Quick insights

• Airbag warning lights may turn on for reasons such as glitched sensors or water damage to the airbag.
• When an airbag light turns on, it’s important to take your car to a professional mechanic or its manufacturer as soon as possible.
• Airbag warning lights may come in various forms, such as written words or illuminated images.

Airbags are an essential safety feature of cars, providing protection during crashes and collisions. If you’ve ever seen an airbag light turn on, you might be worried about its functionality and what it means. In this article, we’ll review what airbag lights are, why they come on and what you can do about it.

What does the airbag warning light mean?

Airbag warning lights are connected to the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), which connect several components such as crash sensors, seat belts and airbags. You may see your airbag warning light as a dashboard light, an icon that appears on your dashboard.

Airbag warning lights may come on for several reasons, and that reason does not necessarily need to be tied to the airbag itself. For example, the light may be triggered by a sensor issue rather than damaged or malfunctioning airbags. However, this does not mean you should ignore your airbag warning light; even if the issue is minor, it’s important to take note of and bring your car into a dealership or repair shop. Minor issues, such as sensors, can often be reset by a professional.

On the other hand, an airbag light warning may be indicative of something tied to your car’s safety features. For example, it could be a sign that there is an issue with the seatbelts, which are connected to the SRS. Finally, the light could be a warning that there is an issue with the airbags themselves, which could prevent them from functioning properly during a crash.

Note that the airbag light may illuminate in various patterns. It’s important to review your owner’s manual to understand what these different light patterns mean.

What does an airbag warning light look like?

An airbag warning light can appear in different forms depending on your car’s make and model. Some examples of what an airbag warning looks like include:

• An image of a person wearing a seatbelt and a lit-up ball—sometimes orange or red— representing the air bag.
• A lit up “SRS.”
• Written warnings such as “airbag system malfunction.”

What causes the airbag warning light to come on?

There are several reasons why your airbag light may come on, including:

• A malfunctioning sensor, which may need to get repaired or replaced
• Electrical issues such as loose wires
• Failed supplemental restraint system (SRS), which is a part of the airbag system and seatbelt pretensioners
• Battery depletion of the entire car
• Water damage to the airbag module
• Damage to the clock spring, which helps keep the driver-side airbag and electrical wiring in sync

Some drivers may assume that the light comes on due to something minor , but that is not a reason why you should ignore it.

What to do if your airbag warning light turns on

When your airbag warning light turns on, the most helpful thing you can do is to take your car to a professional repair shop or mechanic. Airbags and the SRS are complex systems that require sophisticated tools and experience to be able to repair. It’s best to take your car to the manufacturer's dealership as soon as you see this light appear, even if the reason for it is minor.

Remember, do not ignore this warning light; when it comes to your safety, it’s not worth the risk.

Preventing airbag warning light issues

While you can’t always prevent malfunctions in your car from happening, you can ensure it receives regular check-ups. This is a proactive way of identifying potential issues earlier on and having them fixed by a professional. Additionally, a depleted battery is one of the reasons why your airbag light could illuminate, so make sure you don’t waste your car’s battery (such as leaving on car lights without the engine running).

In conclusion

It can be scary to see an airbag light turn on, but that does not necessarily mean there is an issue with the airbag. Still, it’s essential to take your car to a car shop or its manufacturer where you can get your airbag and SRS inspected to determine the reason behind the light turning on. When it comes to your safety, it’s a good idea to remain proactive. Do not ignore your airbag warning lights, as they can indicate an issue with your car and its safety features.