Where can you find if your vehicle has airbags?

Airbags are a standard safety feature in most modern vehicles, but the exact configuration can vary by model and year. The quickest way to confirm their presence is to consult official documentation or perform a VIN-based check. You can also look for indicators on the dashboard and labels inside the cabin.

Official sources to confirm airbag presence

These sources are the most reliable for confirming airbag presence and the specific configuration for your vehicle.

• Owner's manual, Safety Features or Technical Specifications section, which lists the types of airbags included (front, side, curtain, knee, etc.) for your model and trim.


• Monroney label (window sticker) on new cars, which details airbag features such as frontal, side, curtain, and knee airbags under the Safety/Airbags section.


• VIN-based lookups on the manufacturer's site or the NHTSA SaferCar database; entering your 17-digit VIN can reveal the exact airbag configuration for your vehicle.


• Dashboard warning lights and indicators (for example, an illuminated or blinking “Airbag” or “SRS” light) that signal system status or faults; note that the absence of a light does not guarantee airbags are present.


• In-cabin labels and badges (for example, “Airbag,” “SRS,” or similar markings) near the steering wheel, sun visors, seats, or roofline.

Conclusion: Rely on the manual and window sticker first, then verify with a VIN-based lookup for the most precise information about your vehicle’s airbags.

In-vehicle indicators and labeling

These on-vehicle cues help you identify airbag-equipped areas and understand the layout of the system in your car.

• Dashboard airbags warning light (often labeled “Airbag” or “SRS”): lights up during startup or may indicate a fault if it stays on.


• SRS or airbag badges on the steering wheel and passenger-side airbag cover.


• Labels on sun visors or near seating areas indicating the presence of front, side, or curtain airbags.


• Roofline or pillar-area indicators near doors that may point to curtain airbags.


• Seat-side labels indicating seat-mounted side airbags where applicable.

Guidance: If you don’t see obvious indicators but want confirmation, use the official sources listed above or consult the dealer with your VIN for a definitive feature listing.

How to verify for your specific model (step-by-step)

To confirm for your exact car, follow these steps using your VIN and documentation:

1. Locate your vehicle’s VIN (a 17-character code) on the windshield, the driver’s door pillar, or on registration documents.


2. Enter the VIN on the manufacturer’s official VIN lookup page or on NHTSA’s SaferCar VIN tool to view airbag configurations for your model and trim.


3. Check the owner’s manual under Safety Features for a detailed list of airbags included.


4. Review the Monroney label on a new car for explicit airbag details by feature.


5. If in doubt, contact the dealer or manufacturer’s customer service with your VIN to obtain a definitive listing.

Bottom line: A combination of documentation, official VIN lookups, and on-vehicle indicators provides the most reliable way to verify airbag presence and configuration for your vehicle.

Summary

To determine whether your vehicle has airbags, consult the owner’s manual and the Monroney window sticker, and use a VIN-based lookup on the manufacturer’s site or NHTSA’s SaferCar database for your exact model and trim. Look for dashboard indicator lights and in-cabin labels that identify airbag locations. When in doubt, contact the dealer with your VIN for a definitive listing and stay current on safety feature status and recalls.

What year did they start putting airbags in seats?

1973
GM's Oldsmobile Toronado was the first domestic U.S. vehicle to include a passenger airbag in 1973. General Motors marketed its first airbag modules under the "Air Cushion Restraint System" name, or ACRS.

What vehicles have airbags?

Since the 1999 model year, the federal government has required automakers to install driver and passenger airbags for frontal impact protection in all cars, light trucks and vans.

Where are airbags located in a vehicle?

Airbags are located in multiple areas of a car, including the steering wheel (driver) and dashboard (passenger) for frontal impacts, and along the sides of the vehicle (seats, doors, or roofline) for side impacts. Other locations include the lower dashboard for knee airbags and potentially between the front seats.
 
This video shows the locations of airbags in a car: 56sAutoTraderYouTube · Jun 19, 2018
Common airbag locations

• Frontal:
  • Driver: In the center of the steering wheel. 
  • Passenger: In the dashboard directly in front of the passenger seat. 
• Side and Curtain:
  • Side airbags: Often integrated into the outboard side of the front seats or inside the doors. 
  • Curtain airbags: Located along the roofline above the side windows to protect the head in side impacts or rollovers. 
• Knee:
  • In the lower part of the dashboard in front of both the driver and passenger seats to protect the knees and legs. 
• Other locations:
  • Seat cushion: Some vehicles may have airbags mounted on the inboard side of the seats. 
  • Center airbag: A front center airbag may be located between the front seats on the inboard side to prevent the driver and passenger from colliding with each other. 
  • Rear: Some vehicles have airbags for rear passengers, such as rear curtain airbags that deploy along the rear window or side airbags near the outer rear seating positions. 

You can watch this video to learn about how airbags work: 58sMercedes-Benz USAYouTube · Oct 16, 2012
How to find airbags in your car

• Look for the "SRS" or "Airbag" markings on various parts of the car's interior.
• Consult your car's owner's manual for the specific locations and types of airbags in your vehicle. 

How do I know if my car has airbags?

Almost every modern car has an "airbag" inscription on the steering wheel or front panel.