According to the NHTSA, airbags helped save more than 50,000 lives between 1987 and 2017. This makes them, without a doubt, the most important safety feature of all time.
However, this level of notoriety makes them expensive to replace.
How much does it cost to replace airbags in a car?
There are many things that go into the cost of an airbag replacement.
These include:
where do you get 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 keep things simple, let’s first look at a 2012 Honda Civic that requires a single driver-side frontal airbag.
No additional parts or parts are required, just the airbag module itself. All said and done, including labor, you’ll likely spend $650-$750.
That’s basically the best case. Can you imagine if you were in a car accident and multiple airbags inflated? In this case, you are considering an airbag replacement cost of up to €5,000.
Hopefully, this guide will take a closer look at airbag replacement costs and help you out!
Let’s start by reviewing what airbags are and how they work. Then we’ll look at some factors that influence the cost to replace them.
Let’s start with the basics!
Airbags for cars: what are they and how do they work?
We’ve all seen what a deflated airbag looks like, whether in person or in photos or videos. But what really happens behind the scenes?
Your airbag system contains several different sensors, each designed to detect if a collision has occurred. If so, a small chemical explosion is ignited, releasing a large amount of non-toxic gas into a nylon bag – the airbag.
Once the passenger makes contact with the airbag, it immediately deflates so as not to cause injury.
Unfortunately, once an airbag deploys, it doesn’t get much use, which means if yours does, then there’s no choice but to replace it.
Now let’s take a look at some things that affect whether the cost of replacing an airbag is high or very high.
Factors Influencing the Cost of Air Bag Replacement
Where do you buy the parts?
Just as the price of gasoline varies from station to station, so does an airbag. Unfortunately, however, the quality often does as well.
Some options include buying one at a junkyard, buying one online, or buying an OEM one direct from the factory.
Just know that most mechanics praise the use of OEM products not only for their quality and reliability, but also for the warranty they come with. However, the other side of the coin is that they often cost a bit more.
How long does the replacement take?
One thing to know about airbag replacement is that it requires someone with experience to do it. This means that if a store offers it as a service, they will probably put their best technician on it, which usually adds to the cost.
Usually, an airbag replacement will take 1-2 hours, although 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 amounts to around €100.
The number of airbags affected
Clearly, the more airbags that deploy, the higher your shop’s bill will be. However, it is not only the number of airbags that affects the price, but also the type of airbags.
These include the following:
Driver and passenger airbags (which, in case you didn’t know, vary widely in price)
Knee airbags (if equipped)
Inflatable air bags for seat belts
Side impact airbags for each row
For example, the passenger airbag often costs an extra $300-$500 compared to the driver’s side.
The same is true for each of the above types of automotive airbags.
What parties are involved
Most of us have no idea what’s behind an airbag, but there are actually quite a few components that make up this system.
These include the following:
Clearly, the more of these parts included in your repair bill, the higher it will be. Keep in mind that many of these are replaced together after an accident, however minor.
There is also residual damage to think about. This is often the case with driver or passenger airbags after they pass through the steering wheel or dash.
Some models feature airbag cutouts, which cost less compared to those without.
Airbag Replacement Costs: The Simple Truth
The last thing that influences 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 influential contributors.
One reason is that some models sell better than others, which means more are on the road. In most cases, if you choose an average non-luxury sedan that has been well received, you’ll find the parts at a lower price, including an airbag.
However, on average, and considering all of the above, an airbag replacement will cost between €1,000 and €1,750.
Is it possible to replace an airbag yourself?
This is one of those questions that, if you ask yourself, you probably already know the answer.
The truth of the matter is that we’re all for DIY projects here at AutoChimps, but we don’t suggest replacing an airbag yourself at home.
Because?
Because it’s a pretty complicated job to do, and the last thing you want is to tinker with such an important car safety feature.
