Do dealerships replace airbags?
Yes, car dealerships can replace airbags in certain situations. Airbags are a critical safety feature in modern vehicles, and dealerships have the expertise and equipment to properly diagnose, remove, and install replacement airbags when necessary.
When Do Dealerships Replace Airbags?
Dealerships may replace airbags for a few key reasons:
- Airbag Deployment: If an airbag deploys during a collision, the dealership will need to replace the deployed airbag module. This is a standard repair procedure to restore the vehicle's safety systems.
- Airbag Recalls: Occasionally, airbag manufacturers may issue recalls due to defects or safety concerns. In these cases, the dealership will replace the affected airbags to address the recall.
- Airbag Maintenance: Over time, airbag components can wear out or become damaged. The dealership may recommend replacing the airbag system as part of regular vehicle maintenance to ensure proper function.
Dealerships have the specialized tools, training, and access to original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts required to safely and effectively replace airbags. This ensures the new airbag system is properly integrated with the vehicle's safety systems.
The Airbag Replacement Process
Replacing an airbag at a dealership typically involves the following steps:
- Diagnosis: The dealership will first diagnose the issue with the airbag system, using specialized diagnostic equipment to identify the problem.
- Airbag Removal: The technician will carefully remove the deployed or faulty airbag module, following strict safety protocols to avoid accidental deployment.
- Installation: The dealership will then install a new, OEM-approved airbag module, ensuring proper integration with the vehicle's safety systems.
- Testing: After installation, the technician will test the new airbag system to verify proper function and safety.
By having airbags replaced at a dealership, vehicle owners can be confident that the work is performed by trained professionals using the correct parts and procedures, ensuring the safety and reliability of their vehicle's airbag system.
Is it illegal to drive with broken airbags?
There is no law preventing you from driving your car after airbags deploy, but this is not advisable. It is important for your safety to have your car checked for damage and your airbags replaced by an authorized service technician before driving the vehicle.
Is a car drivable after airbags go off?
After deployment, the car's safety systems, including the airbags, may be compromised, making it unsafe to drive. Many regions require that vehicles be inspected and repaired before they can be legally driven again.
At what speed do airbags deploy?
Frontal air bags are generally designed to deploy in "moderate to severe" frontal or near-frontal crashes, which are defined as crashes that are equivalent to hitting a solid, fixed barrier at 8 to 14 mph or higher. (This would be equivalent to striking a parked car of similar size at about 16 to 28 mph or higher.)
Is it worth fixing a car with airbags deployed?
While airbag deployment does not necessarily mean a total loss, it does add to the grand total of repairing your car. Replacing airbags is not cheap. On average, airbag replacement can end up costing anywhere between $1,000 to $6,000. This cost has to be added on top of all the other damages your car sustained.
Can I sue a dealership for airbags not deploying?
So, if you were injured in a car accident after your airbags failed to deploy, you could have a viable claim against the manufacturer. With the help of a Los Angeles personal injury attorney at Salamati Law, you can seek justice from the manufacturer responsible for your injuries.
Does insurance cover airbag replacement?
Typically, insurance will cover airbag replacement if: Your car isn't totaled. You're not at fault for the accident. You have collision insurance, which pays for collision damage regardless of who's at fault.
Is a car totaled if the airbags come out?
No, if your airbags deployed, your car is not automatically considered totaled. Whether your car is totaled depends on how much it will cost to repair your vehicle. If the repairs, including replacing the airbag system, cost more than the vehicle is worth, it is typically considered totaled.
How much does it cost to replace airbags in a car?
On average, it can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $2,000 to replace an airbag. But oftentimes it's much more expensive. If the accident is quite bad, the average cost goes up to about $3,000 to $5,000.
Do body shops replace airbags?
They can fix or replace your airbags, and perform any body repair work that needs to be done on the exterior.
Do dealerships fix airbags for free?
Once your vehicle is included in a recall because of a defective airbag, you can take it to a dealership and have it fixed for free.
