According to the NHTSA, airbags helped save more than 50,000 lives from 1987 to 2017. This makes them, without question, the single-most-crucial car safety feature of all time.
Nevertheless, their heightened level of fame does result in a costly replacement.
How much does it cost to replace airbags in a car?
There are a lot of things that influence the cost of airbag replacement.
These include:
- Where you source the parts
- The number of hours required to complete the job
- The number of airbags affected And Which Ones
- The number of components involved
To simplify matters, let us first look at a 2012 Honda Civic that needs a single driver-side front airbag.
No additional parts or pieces are required – just the airbag module itself. All said and done, including labor, you’ll likely spend between $650-$750.
That’s essentially a best-case scenario. Can you imagine if you were in a car accident and several airbags inflated? In this case, you’re looking at an airbag replacement cost of as high as $5,000.
Thankfully, this guide will examine airbag replacement expenses a little more closely and help you out!
Let us commence by reviewing what air cushions are and how they operate. Then, we’ll examine a few factors that affect the cost to replace them.
Let’s start with the basics!
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Car Airbags – What They Are And How They Work
We’ve all seen how an airbag looks once deflated, whether in person or in photos or videos. But what actually happens behind the scenes?
The airbag system in your car has some sensors that recognize if there was a crash. If it did happen, it causes a small chemical blast that lets out a lot of harmless air into a fabric bag – the airbag.
Once the passenger makes contact with the airbag, it then instantly deflates so that it doesn’t cause harm.
Unfortunately, once an airbag deploys, it doesn’t have much use – meaning if yours has, then there’s no other option than to replace it.
Now let’s take a look at a few things that affect whether the cost to replace an airbag is high – or super high.
Factors That Influence The Cost Of Airbag Replacement
Where You Buy The Parts
Just like how the price of gas varies from one station to the next, so too does an airbag. Unfortunately, though, the quality often does as well.
Some options include purchasing one from a junkyard, buying one online, or buying an OEM one straight from the factory.
Just know that most mechanics praise the use of OEM products not only due to their excellence and reliability but the warranty they carry as well. The flip side, though, is that they do often cost a bit more.
How Long Does The Replacement Take
One thing to know about airbag replacement is that it requires someone experienced to perform it. This means that if a shop offers it as a service, they will likely put their top technician on it, which usually adds to the cost.
Typically, an airbag replacement will take 1-2 hours, though it also depends on the car you own. If the shop charges $100 per hour, the math is pretty simple. Just don’t forget the diagnostic fee, which usually totals around $100.
The Number Of Airbags Affected
Clearly, the more airbags that deploy, the higher your shop bill will be. However, it’s not just the number of airbags that affects the price, but also the type of airbags.
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- Driver and passenger airbags (which, if you didn’t know, vary a lot in price)
- Knee airbags (if equipped)
- Inflatable seatbelt airbags
- Side-impact airbags for each row
For example, the passenger airbag often costs an additional $300-$500 compared to the driver side.
The same is also true for each of the aforementioned categories of car airbags.
Which Parts Are Involved
Most of us have no idea of what rests behind an airbag, but there are actually quite a few components that make up this system.
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- Airbag module
- SRS unit and indicator light
- Cable reel
- Fuse/relay box
- Seat belt tensioner
Clearly, the more of these parts that are listed on your repair bill, the higher it will be. Keep in mind that many of these are replaced together after an accident, no matter how minor it may be.
There’s also residual damage to think about. This is often the case with driver or passenger airbags after they break through the steering wheel or dash.
Some models feature airbag openings, which are more cost-effective when compared to those that do not.
Airbag Replacement Costs – The Simple Truth
The last thing that factors into the cost of airbag replacement is the make and model of your car. If you’re wondering how much it costs to replace airbags, this is one of the most significant contributors.
One reason is that some models sell better than others, meaning there are more of them on the road. In most cases, if you take a typical, non-luxury sedan that has been well-received, you’ll find the parts for them at a lower cost – including an airbag.
However, generally, and taking everything into account, a replacement for an airbag will typically range in cost from $1,000 to $1750.
Is It Possible To Replace An Airbag Yourself?
This is one of those uncertainties that, if you’re inquiring about it, you likely already have the solution to.
The truth of the matter is that we are all for DIY projects here at AutoChimps, but replacing an airbag yourself at home is one we don’t recommend.
Why?
Because it is a fairly complicated job to do, and the last thing you want is to tinker with such a crucial car safety feature.
