Air bag replacement cost
The cost to replace an air bag is generally around $1,500 per air bag, including parts and labor, and that can easily exceed $6,000 on high-end luxury vehicles. As a result, you could be on the hook for five figures if you have multiple air bags that need replacing.
| Component | Average parts cost | Average labor cost | Average total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bag | $500 | $250 | $750 |
| Air bag control module | $638 | $134 | $773 |
| Air bag crash sensor | $317 | $82 | $399 |
| Air bag clock spring | $331 | $108 | $439 |
Factors that affect the cost of air bag replacement
The reason air bags are so expensive is that fitting a replacement isn’t as simple as bolting on a new part. Air bags are actually complex systems made with multiple components, so when an air bag deploys, you may have to replace some or all of those parts.
Several factors influence how much you'll pay to replace an air bag. These include:
- Vehicle make and model: Luxury vehicles or those with advanced safety features often have more expensive parts and labor costs.
- Number of air bags deployed: Replacing multiple air bags increases the total cost significantly.
- Extent of damage: If the deployment damaged other parts of the vehicle, such as the dashboard or steering column, additional repairs may be needed.
- Labor rates: These vary by location and mechanic, with urban areas typically charging more.
- Parts availability: Hard-to-source or specialty components can drive up the cost.
- Warranty or insurance coverage: If your air bag replacement is covered, your out-of-pocket cost will be lower.
Safety tips for shopping for replacement air bags
As air bags can only be deployed once, the NHTSA recommends getting them replaced immediately before you drive the car again. While it is rare, the NHTSA has reported counterfeit air bags on the market, so they recommend only using an authorized repair center with certified professional installation. Counterfeit air bags have been shown to consistently malfunction, so it's not the time to cut corners on your budget when you install air bags.
» RELATED: Most expensive car repairs
Does car insurance cover air bag replacements?
The good news is that you may not have to pay out of pocket to replace your own air bag if it triggered for a good reason and you have the right car insurance.
“Nine times out of 10, if your air bags deployed it was because of a collision,” said Sean Kim, a mechanic in the Atlanta, Georgia, area. “Insurance companies should be taking care of the cost for that anyways.”
Insurance companies should be taking care of the cost for that anyways.”
Which type of car insurance covers air bag replacements?
Here’s a breakdown of when certain types of auto insurance might cover air bag replacement(s):
- Collision insurance should cover the cost of an air bag replacement if you are found at fault for an accident or if you live in a no-fault state.
- Comprehensive insurance should cover the cost of an air bag replacement if your air bag deployed due to one of the causes listed in your policy. These typically include weather damage, animal-related damage, theft, vandalism and other incidents that don’t involve an actual collision (with the exception of collisions with animals).
- Liability insurance typically will not cover air bag replacements since your liability policy only covers other drivers’ repair bills and medical bills. That said, if the other driver was found at fault, their liability insurance should cover the cost of your air bag replacements.
- Underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage may cover the cost of your air bag replacements if the other driver was found at fault but doesn’t have enough insurance (or any insurance at all) to cover your bills.
What if you need to replace your air bags, but weren’t in an accident?
While you’re on their site, you may want to go ahead and sign up for NHTSA recall alerts for your vehicle so you don’t miss a critical free repair in the future.
If you need to replace your air bags because of a recall, that repair work and equipment should be fully covered by your car's manufacturer.
Case in point, the NHTSA has issued warnings that tens of millions of vehicles may have faulty air bags from a company called Takata that supplied air bags to Toyota, BMW, Ram and many other brands. (To find out if your vehicle is affected, you can check for recalls on the NHTSA’s website using your license plate number or VIN.)
If your vehicle is part of the Takata air bag recall (or any other recalls, for that matter), you can call your local dealer to schedule a free repair.
FAQ
How do air bags work?
When something hits your vehicle with enough force, sensors placed throughout the vehicle will send a signal to the appropriate air bag control module(s). When those modules receive the signal, they ignite a small pocket of gas to inflate your air bag. The whole process takes roughly 0.05 seconds.
What are the components of an air bag system?
Most air bag systems contain a sensor to detect motion (often an accelerometer or gyroscope, similar to the ones in your smartphone), a control module, an igniting mechanism and the air bag itself.
The air bag in your steering wheel also contains a device called a clock spring, which allows your wheel to turn without breaking the connection to your air bag.
Are used air bags safe?
Used air bags are often considered unsafe. In fact, many states have very strict laws against the sale and installation of pre-owned, non-deployed air bags. (New York, for example, bans the recycling of air bags entirely.)
“The legality of using used air bags differs from state to state,” said Kim. “In Georgia, it is absolutely illegal to use a used air bag.”
Even in states where the sale of used air bags isn’t banned, Kim said, “I would never recommend a used air bag. No one's life is worth the gamble of saving a few hundred dollars.”
Can you reset an air bag without replacing it?
“A deployed air bag cannot be reset,” said Kim.
But what about the next most expensive component, the air bag module? If you can’t reset the air bag, can you at least reset the computer?
“When a collision is detected by the air bag module, it stores the event and will have a permanent air bag light illuminated,” according to Kim. That can be a significant distraction and massively impact the resale value of your car.
Are air bags covered under warranty?
Air bags are typically covered under an automaker’s Safety Restraint System (SRS) warranty. This kind of warranty typically lasts longer than the bumper-to-bumper warranty and covers the seat belts, as well.
However, warranties only pay to fix manufacturing defects. That means your warranty won’t pay for an air bag replacement if it deployed in a crash or was otherwise activated.
Extended auto warranties generally do not cover air bags either.
» LEARN: The difference between a car warranty and car insurance
Does air bag deployment total a car?
Air bag deployment doesn’t necessarily total your vehicle, but it can.
Drivers are often surprised when their insurance companies decide to total their vehicles after just two or three air bags deploy. But, as we mentioned above, the cost to replace a single air bag starts at around $1,500, and costs can rise steeply from there.
In some cases, it’s just not worth it for the insurance company, and it’s safer and more cost-effective for all parties involved to simply find a new ride.
“My husband hit a deer and because he was driving an older model truck and both air bags were blown out. The truck was a total loss,” said a reviewer from Alabama.
How long does it take to replace an air bag?
Replacing an air bag typically takes one to three hours, depending on the complexity of the system and the number of components that need replacing. For luxury vehicles or models with advanced safety systems, the process might take longer.
Article sources
ConsumerAffairs writers primarily rely on government data, industry experts and original research from other reputable publications to inform their work. Specific sources for this article include:
- HowStuffWorks, “How Airbags Work.” Accessed Dec. 12, 2025.
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, "Air Bags." Accessed Dec. 12, 2025.
