What Causes the Airbag Light to Turn On?

December 23, 2022

A close up of a speedometer with airbag warning | Lex Brodies
Airbags are a core safety feature in your vehicle to protect you from injuries in the event of an accident. Like many other vehicle components, the airbag has a warning light that turns on when a problem arises. However, since airbag repairs are not common, many drivers may ignore the warning light.

What Causes the Airbag Light to Turn On?

This light looks like a driver with an airbag deployed. When it's on the dashboard, it indicates a problem with your Supplemental Restraint System (SRS). Airbags are part of the SRS, including seatbelts and sensors. But why is your airbag on, and you haven't been in any accident? Here are the most common reasons.

Battery Backup is Depleted

The light turns on when your vehicle's battery has recently drained and depleted the backup powering the airbags. However, it usually corrects itself when fully recharged.

Faulty Sensors

Different sensors in your vehicle are directly linked to the computer system to detect any problems. Sometimes these sensors, especially in the SRS, may fail or be triggered in case of minor accidents causing the airbag light to illuminate.

Wet Airbag Module

If your car has experienced water damage, it may affect the airbag module. It may corrode or get shorted out, preventing it from working correctly and triggering the warning light.

Damaged Airbag Clock Spring

The clock spring maintains continuity between the driver-side airbag and the vehicle's electrical wiring. When worn out, it causes poor connection leading to airbag failure.

What You Need to Know When Your Airbag Turns On in Your Car

The airbag system consists of various sensors and other components. When the light illuminates, it indicates a more significant issue or a computer glitch requiring a reset. Still, it is vital to have it diagnosed by an expert to keep you safe. However, here is what you need to know.

  • Your crash sensors may need replacement
  • Don't reset the airbag light yourself
  • Your seatbelts could be the problem
  • Your airbags may fail in case of a collision


Regardless of the cause, ensure an expert helps you diagnose the problem to prevent further issues. Our technicians can help you, so call Lexbrodies today if you need help resetting your airbag.

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