What type of airbags does your vehicle have?
Most modern vehicles include at least front airbags for the driver and front passenger; additional airbags vary by model and trim, such as side, curtain, and knee airbags. To know your exact setup, consult the owner's manual, door placards, or VIN-based resources from the manufacturer.
Airbag configurations are designed to address different crash scenarios, and automakers continually expand options with newer trims and technologies. Knowing which airbags your specific vehicle has helps you understand protection details, recall eligibility, and maintenance needs.
Airbag configurations commonly found in modern vehicles
Key types and where they are located
Below is a quick reference of common airbag types and where they are typically installed in vehicles.
- Front airbags (driver and front passenger) — standard in virtually all modern cars; deploys in frontal crashes to cushion the chest and head.
- Knee airbags — mounted under the instrument panel or near the knees; help reduce leg injuries and improve occupant positioning during a crash.
- Side airbags (torso or chest airbags) — built into seats or doors to protect the chest and abdomen in side impacts.
- Side curtain airbags — roof-mounted modules that deploy downward to shield the heads of occupants in side impacts and rollover crashes.
- Rear-seat side airbags — optional in some vehicles to protect backseat occupants in side impacts.
- Rear curtain airbags — provide head protection for rear-seat occupants in some models.
- Center airbags — located between the driver and front passenger; designed to reduce forces between occupants in certain crash scenarios; available in a limited number of models.
- Inflatable seat belts — integrated into shoulder belts in some models to distribute crash forces across the torso and reduce certain injuries.
- Thorax (or chest) airbags — deployed in some models to protect the upper torso in certain side-impact scenarios; less common but present in select vehicles.
Availability varies by model and trim. Not every vehicle includes every type listed above. To know exactly which airbags your vehicle has, check the official documentation or use the verification steps below for your exact model-year and trim.
How to verify your vehicle’s exact airbag configuration
To determine your car's specific airbag setup, use these steps to confirm the types and placements for your model-year and trim.
Note that airbags and related safety systems can be updated via recalls or dealer-installed updates, so it’s important to verify with official sources.
- Check the owner’s manual or the safety section of the vehicle’s digital manual for a list of installed airbags by location.
- Look for a door pillar placard near the driver’s door that lists airbag presence by location, which is common in many cars.
- Use the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to look up the exact configuration on the manufacturer’s site or through official recall/defect portals; the VIN can be decoded to reveal airbag options for that year/trim.
- Check the vehicle’s safety or vehicle settings menu in the infotainment system for active airbag information or alerts.
- Consult your dealer or manufacturer customer support with your VIN for an authoritative listing of airbag types and any recalls or updates.
- Refer to official safety resources (such as the NHTSA or manufacturer-safety portals) for model-specific airbag configurations.
After you verify, you’ll have an accurate picture of your car’s airbag protections and any relevant recalls or updates to consider.
Summary
Airbag configurations in vehicles vary widely by model and trim, but most modern cars include front airbags and some form of side or curtain protection, with additional options such as knee, center, or inflatable seat belts in higher trims. The best way to know your exact setup is to consult the owner’s manual, door placards, VIN-based resources, and dealer or manufacturer information. If you share your vehicle’s year, make, model, and trim, I can help identify the specific airbags for your car.
How do I find if my car has takata airbags?
Vehicles Affected
Vehicle owners are urged to use NHTSA's Recalls Lookup Tool to check their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) for any open recalls — including Takata recalls.
What kind of airbags are in my car?
The driver airbag is located in the steering wheel. The passenger airbag is located in the dashboard. Some manufacturers provide supplemental knee airbags, mounted lower. Knee airbags are intended to distribute impact forces to reduce leg injuries.
What are the different types of airbags?
Common airbag types include frontal, side, curtain, and knee airbags, each designed for different impact scenarios. Frontal airbags protect occupants in a head-on collision, side airbags protect the torso in a side impact, curtain airbags shield heads in side impacts and rollovers, and knee airbags protect the driver's and passenger's legs and knees in frontal crashes. Modern vehicles may also have specialized airbags like rear-seat, seat-mounted, or inflatable seat belts.
Frontal airbags
- Purpose: Protect the head and chest during a moderate-to-severe frontal collision.
- Location: Deploy from the steering wheel for the driver and the dashboard for the passenger.
- Advancements: Dual-stage airbags use sensors to adjust deployment force based on occupant size, seat position, and crash severity.
Side airbags
- Purpose: Protect the torso and/or head during a side-impact collision.
- Location: Typically located in the seat-back or door panel.
- Types: There are side airbags that protect only the chest (torso), and combination airbags that protect both the head and torso.
Curtain airbags
- Purpose: Provide head protection in side-impact crashes and rollovers.
- Location: Deploy from the roofline above the windows, covering both front and rear side windows.
- Functionality: They can remain inflated longer than other airbags to provide protection during a rollover.
Knee airbags
- Purpose: Prevent lower body and leg injuries by cushioning the knees in a frontal impact.
- Location: Positioned under the steering column for the driver and under the glove box for the passenger.
Other types
- Rear airbags: Found in some luxury models, these are designed to protect rear passengers during a frontal impact.
- Inflatable seat belts: These are becoming more common and provide extra cushioning for occupants in case of a crash.
- Seat-mounted airbags: These protect the torso and pelvis during side-impact crashes and can be found on both front and sometimes rear seats.
What is a steering wheel airbag called?
Frontal Airbags
Frontal airbags are the most common type of airbags found in vehicles and are typically located in the steering wheel and dashboard. These airbags deploy in the event of a head-on collision, cushioning the impact for the driver and front passenger.
