Why Is My Airbag Light On: 7 Common Causes & Fixes

This article was updated in December 7, 2025 with new products and information by Mark S. Taylor

Seeing a red warning light pop up on your dashboard is scary, especially when it involves your safety. You are likely asking, “Why is my airbag light on?” It usually signals a fault the SRS safety system. It may be a sensor issue, a loose connection, or a battery problem. When this light stays on, your airbags may not deploy in a crash. It is a warning worth taking seriously.

Seeing a safety warning can create stress. You wonder if it’s safe to drive. You also don’t want to spend a ton of money if the fix is small. The good news? Many causes are simple and cost less than you think.

In this guide, you’ll learn the 7 most common causes, what you can check yourself, when to see a mechanic, and how much repairs usually cost. You’ll also learn how to check for free recall repairs. Let’s make sure your airbags are ready if you ever need them.

Contents

What Does the Airbag Light Mean?

The airbag light means the car’s computer found a problem in the safety system.

The Warning Symbol Explained

You will usually see a symbol of a person with a deployed airbag in front of them. Sometimes, it just says “SRS” or “AIRBAG” in red or yellow text.

It is normal for this light to flash for a few seconds when you start the car. This is a self-test. If the light stays on while you drive, the test failed. The computer has disabled part or all of the system to prevent accidental deployment.

What SRS Stands For

SRS stands for Supplemental Restraint System.

It is more than just the bags in the dash. It is a network. It includes your seatbelts, crash sensors, and a computer brain. If one part fails, the whole network goes on alert. Think of it as a team. If one player is hurt, the team cannot play safely.

Is It Safe to Drive With the Airbag Light On?

No, it is not safe because your airbags will likely not work during an accident.

The Real Risks

If that light is on, the system is disabled.

You might think only one airbag is broken. However, most cars shut down the entire firing system for safety. This means in a crash, you only have your seatbelt. The “pretensioners” (which pull the belt tight) might also fail. You lose a huge layer of protection. Plus, if you get into a wreck, your insurance company might question why you ignored the warning.

If You Must Drive Temporarily

You can physically drive the car; the engine will run fine.

If you have no choice but to drive, be extra careful. Avoid highways or high-speed roads. Drive defensively. Do not ignore this for weeks. Treat it as an emergency. You should get a diagnosis within 24 to 48 hours.

7 Common Causes of an Airbag Light

The most common reasons for an airbag light are loose plugs under the seat, a bad clock spring, or a drained battery.

1. Depleted or Weak Battery

A weak car battery is a top cause for random warning lights.

The airbag computer needs a steady flow of power. If your battery voltage drops too low during startup, the computer gets confused. It throws an error code. This often happens in winter or if the car sat for a week.

The Fix: Test your battery. If it is old, replace it. The light often clears itself once the voltage is stable.
Check this: Common battery issues and how to spot them.

2. Faulty Crash Sensors

Crash sensors tell the airbags when to pop.

These sensors live in harsh spots like the front bumper or inside the door panels. They get hit with water, salt, and road dirt. Over time, they corrode. Even a small bump in a parking lot can crack a sensor without damaging the car. If the sensor can’t talk to the computer, the light comes on.

3. Clock Spring Failure

The clock spring is a coiled wire inside your steering wheel.

It keeps the driver’s airbag connected while you turn the wheel. It winds and unwinds like a tape measure. After years of turning, the thin wires inside can snap.

Symptoms: Your airbag light is on AND your horn or steering wheel buttons stop working.
Vehicles: Very common in older Toyota, Honda, and GM models.

4. Seat Belt Sensor Problems

Your car needs to know if you are buckled up.

The buckle has a tiny switch inside. Since the buckle sits next to your hip, it is a magnet for crumbs, coins, and spilled coffee. If a dime falls into the slot, it can jam the switch. If the car thinks the belt is unbuckled when it is not, it triggers a fault.

DIY Tip: Use compressed air to blow out the buckle.

5. Water Damage to Airbag Module

The airbag control module is the “brain” of the system.

In many cars, this computer sits on the floor under the driver or passenger seat. If you leave a window open in the rain, or spill a large drink, water pools there. Water and electronics do not mix. Corrosion causes short circuits. Once this module is fried, it usually must be replaced, not fixed.

6. Damaged Wiring or Connectors

Loose yellow plugs under the seats are the #1 easy fix.

Car manufacturers use yellow to mark SRS wiring. These wires run under the front seats. When you move the seat back and forth to adjust legroom, you pull on these wires. Eventually, a plug comes loose.

DIY Check: Look under the seat. If you see a yellow plug that looks loose, push it back together (with the car off!).

7. Previous Accident (Not Reset Properly)

If your car was in a fender bender, the crash data is stored.

Even if the airbags did not deploy, the seatbelt tensioners might have fired. Or, the computer simply “locked” the system after feeling a hit. Many body shops fix the bumper but forget to reset the airbag computer. The light stays on until a pro clears the “hard codes” with a special tool.

Quick Cause + Fix Table

Cause	Severity	Fix Type	Cost
Weak battery	Low	DIY/Shop	$0–$50
Seat belt sensor	Medium	Shop	$100–$350
Crash sensor	Medium	Shop	$120–$450
Clockspring	High	Shop	$200–$400
Water damage	Medium–High	Shop	$300–$700
Module failure	High	Dealer	$400–$1,200+
Recall issue	High	Dealer	$0 (Free)

How to Diagnose Your Airbag Light

You need to narrow down the cause before buying parts.

What You Can Check Yourself (No Tools)

Start with the free, easy checks in your driveway.

Check the Buckles: Is there a coin stuck in the seatbelt slot?
Look Under Seats: Grab a flashlight. Look for yellow connectors. Are they unplugged or cut?
Test the Battery: Use a multimeter. If the battery is below 12.4 volts, charge it.
Passenger Seat: Do you have a heavy backpack on the passenger seat? Move it to the floor. The weight sensor might be confused.

What Requires Professional Tools

You cannot guess with airbag parts; you need the codes.

A standard $20 engine code reader usually cannot read airbag codes. You need a scanner that lists “SRS” or “ABS/SRS” features. These codes usually start with a “B” (Body), like B0001, not a “P” (Powertrain).

Diagnostic Process Step-by-Step

Plug in the Scanner: The port is usually under the dashboard on the driver’s side.
Select SRS System: Navigate the menu to the airbag section.
Read the Code: It will say something like “Driver Side Loop Open.”
Interpret: “Open” usually means a broken wire or bad clock spring. “Short” usually means water damage or a pinched wire.
Reset: After fixing the part, use the scanner to clear the code. The light should turn off.

DIY Fixes vs. When to See a Mechanic

Some fixes are safe for DIYers; others are dangerous.

Safe DIY Troubleshooting

You can safely handle external parts.
Cleaning dirty seatbelt buckles.
Pushing loose connectors back together (make sure the key is out of the ignition!).
Replacing a weak car battery.
Checking the fuse box for a blown “SRS” or “Airbag” fuse.

Repairs That Need a Professional

Do not mess with the explosives.

Clock Spring: This requires removing the steering wheel and the airbag itself. If you do it wrong, the bag can punch you in the face.
Module Reset: This requires software that only shops possess.
Crash Sensors: These often need calibration after installation.
Recalls: Never pay for a recall fix; the dealer does it for free.

Why Professional Diagnosis Matters

Guessing is expensive. If you buy a $300 clock spring but the problem was a $50 sensor, you wasted money. Parts stores typically do not accept returns on electrical parts. A pro uses a multimeter to test resistance. They confirm the part is dead before replacing it.

How Much Does It Cost to Fix an Airbag Light?

Expect to pay between $100 and $600 for most common repairs.

Professional Diagnostic Scan

Most shops charge a fee just to plug in the computer.

Independent Mechanic: $75 – $150
Dealership: $100 – $200
Auto Parts Store: Some scan for free, but their basic tools often miss SRS codes.

Common Repair Costs Table

Repair Type	Estimated Cost (Parts + Labor)
System Reset (No Parts)	$50 – $100
Loose Wiring Fix	$100 – $250
Clock Spring Replacement	$250 – $450
Crash Sensor Replacement	$200 – $500
Seat Belt Pretensioner	$250 – $600
Airbag Control Module	$600 – $1,200

Save Money Tips

You can save big by avoiding the dealership for older cars. Ask an independent shop to use a “refurbished” module if yours is fried. This can save you 50% over a new part. Always check your vehicle warranty status first.

Check for Airbag Recalls First

Before you spend a dime, check if the manufacturer owes you a fix.

Major Recalls You Should Know

The “Takata” airbag recall is the largest in history. It affects millions of cars from Honda, Ford, Toyota, BMW, and more. Even if your car is 15 years old, the recall is still valid.

How to Check Your VIN

Go to the NHTSA Recalls Website.
Type in your 17-digit VIN (found on your dashboard or insurance card).
The site will tell you instantly if there is an open recall.

What Happens If There’s a Recall

If your car is listed, call the dealership. They must fix it for free. They will replace the airbag or sensor at no cost to you. They do not charge a diagnosis fee for recall work.

What NOT to Do When Your Airbag Light Is On

Do not try to trick the system.

Don’t Ignore It: It will not go away on its own unless it was just a low battery.
Don’t Tape Over It: Putting black tape over the light hides the symptom but keeps the danger.
Don’t Trust the “Battery Trick”: Disconnecting the battery for 30 minutes rarely clears airbag codes. These are “hard codes” stored in non-volatile memory.
Don’t Drive Aggressively: Your safety net is down. Drive like you have no airbags—because you don’t.

FAQs About Why Is My Airbag Light On

How do I get my airbag light to turn off?

You must fix the underlying problem first. Once the loose wire, bad sensor, or clock spring is fixed, you use an SRS scanner to “clear” the code. In some cars, the light turns off automatically after a few drive cycles if the system detects the fix, but a scanner is the surest way.

What is the most common cause of the airbag light?

The most common cause is a loose connector under the driver or passenger seat, or a faulty clock spring in the steering wheel.

Is it okay to drive with the airbag light on?

Legally, yes. Safely, no. Your airbags will not deploy in a crash. You should only drive the car to a mechanic for repair.

How much does it cost to fix an airbag light?

A simple reset costs about $100. A clock spring replacement averages $300-$400. A new computer module can cost over $800.

What does a flashing airbag light mean?

A flashing light usually indicates a specific error code is being broadcast, or the system is in “diagnostic mode.” It signifies an active failure just like a solid light.

Bottom Line: Don’t Ignore Your Airbag Light

The airbag light is your car’s way of saying, “I can’t protect you right now.” While it might be a simple fix like a loose plug, the risk is not worth the guess.

Quick Summary:

Light On = No Airbags: The system is disabled.
Check Recalls: Visit NHTSA.gov first to see if the fix is free.
Look Under Seats: Wiggle the yellow plugs gently (with engine off).
Scan It: You need an SRS-capable scanner, not a cheap engine reader.
Common Fix: Clock springs and seat sensors fail most often.
Cost: Expect $100-$150 for a diagnosis.
Action Step: If the light stays on, book a diagnostic scan within 48 hours.

Drive safe and keep those lights off!