The Average Airbag Replacement Cost at a Mechanic is $250 to $5,000 Depending on if You Go to the Mechanic or DIY.
This price range is based on national averages for all vehicles and does not factor in taxes, fees, or your particular make and model. Related repairs or maintenance may also be needed for parts like the front airbag sensors, airbag ECU, driver airbag, passenger airbag, seat belts, dashboard (if an airbag deployed there), and sometimes the steering wheel assembly. For a more accurate estimate based on your make, model, and location, use the RepairPal Fair Price Estimator.
Get a more accurate estimate for your airbag replacement cost using RepairPal’s Fair Price Estimator:
Cost at the Mechanic: $1,000-$5,000
Parts: $250-$700 (driver side and side curtain airbags), $400-$1,000 (passenger side and knee side airbags)
Labor: $400-$1000+ per airbag
Airbags protect you and your passengers during a collision. The trigger inside an airbag uses chemicals that can only react once to deploy your airbag. After that, it must be removed and replaced with a new unit. You must replace an airbag after it gets deployed. They should be replaced only by certified, trusted mechanics, as airbags are critical to safety and potentially dangerous to install.
Cost to DIY: $250-$1,000+
Difficulty Level: Advanced
Parts:
- Screwdrivers
- Ratchets and sockets
- Replacement airbags and associated parts
Airbag replacement is generally considered difficult and too dangerous to DIY. You’ll have to be careful about static electricity, as it could cause your replacement airbag to deploy suddenly, which could potentially cause injury. If you choose to do the job yourself, you will save on labor costs, which could be high depending on how many airbags need to be replaced. The risk is only worth it if you already have sufficient expertise in airbag replacement.
Finding airbags for sale from independent sellers might take some research. You could also remove suitable bags from another car that is not in use. If you do decide to save on the labor costs by replacing an airbag yourself, be sure to check your owner’s manual or other manufacturer guides to determine which kind of bag to get.
What Is Airbag Replacement?
Airbag replacement is simply the process of removing an airbag that has been deployed, as well as any other associated components, and replacing it with a unit that is still intact. Since airbags can only be used once, a complete replacement is required anytime it goes off, regardless of the severity of the accident or whether anyone was sitting in the seat it protects. Sometimes this process is as simple as unbolting it, removing it, and bolting a replacement into place. Other times, such as if the airbag is built into part of the dashboard or seat, the process can be much more complicated.
Another reason you might need to replace your front driver’s airbag is if you’re getting a new steering wheel. Even if your old front driver steering-wheel-mounted airbag wasn’t deployed, you might need to get a new one installed as part of an all-new steering wheel and assembly.
What Does an Airbag Replacement Include?
Replacing the front driver’s airbag, which is the most commonly deployed, usually takes an expert only about 30 minutes to an hour to complete. If you visit an auto shop or dealership for multiple airbags or ones with trickier angles, you can expect the job to take around two or three hours. Removing old airbags usually requires disconnecting the airbag modules and connectors, which might also need replacing.
What Happens If You Don’t Replace Your Airbags?
Once your airbags have been deployed, they must be removed and replaced to stay safe on the road. Issues with related systems might cause you to replace the airbags or the electrical parts that help deploy them sooner than expected. One of the common signs you might have an airbag problem is an illuminated airbag dashboard warning light. This light could indicate not just problems with a specific airbag but also the electronics controlling whether the airbags deploy or not.
How Often to Get Airbags Replaced?
You don’t normally need to replace airbags that weren’t deployed or damaged. Some older vehicles had manufacturer recommendations to replace airbags every 10 or 15 years, but that isn’t the case for modern cars. You can check your owner’s manual to clarify when and how to replace airbags and their associated parts for your specific car.
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Common Symptoms You Need to Replace an Airbag
Airbags remain packed away, out of sight behind parts of your car’s interior. They only deploy during a crash, when you absolutely need them. As a result, the only signs that you might need airbag replacement are:
- The airbag was deployed.
- You see an airbag dashboard warning light.
Related Maintenance Services
The following services are commonly performed with an airbag replacement:
- Steering wheel assembly replacement
- Airbag control unit replacement
- Seat belt replacement
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At FIXD, our mission is to make car ownership as simple, easy, and affordable as possible. Our research team utilizes the latest automotive data and insights to create tools and resources that help drivers get peace of mind and save money over the life of their car.
