The Lemon IndexAn airbag light means the airbags may not go off in a crash. Get it checked as soon as you can.
Stop and get help. The car drives normally, but the airbags may not work. Get it checked soon and check for recalls.
A faulty seat belt buckle or seat sensor. Then: a worn clock spring in the steering wheel; loose connectors under the seats.
Owners describe this in 41,694 complaints to the U.S. government, most often on the Hyundai Sonata.
Cars owners report it on most
Complaints describing this symptom, by model, all years. Raw counts, not a failure rate: popular models get more complaints.
Model years that report it most
| Model year | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 Jeep Wrangler | 420 | 22% |
| 2006 Hyundai Sonata | 388 | 37% |
| 2000 Honda Accord | 353 | 30% |
| 2013 Nissan Altima | 351 | 15% |
| 2006 BMW 3 Series | 322 | 31% |
| 2006 Toyota Sienna | 278 | 27% |
| 2011 Hyundai Sonata | 269 | 8% |
| 2001 Honda Accord | 235 | 25% |
| 2007 Hyundai Sonata | 210 | 30% |
| 2015 Chrysler 200 | 205 | 10% |
| 2009 Chevrolet Impala | 166 | 20% |
| 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 159 | 11% |
Each row is that model year's record in NHTSA complaints, not the history of any one car. Share = complaints describing this symptom out of every complaint we hold for that model year (shown when the year has 50+ complaints).
Where it makes up the biggest share
2006 Hyundai Sonata · 37% 2009 Infiniti G37 · 36% 2006 Mini Cooper · 35% 2004 Hyundai Elantra · 35% 2012 Jeep Liberty · 33% 2013 Chevrolet Volt · 33% 2006 BMW 3 Series · 31% 2007 Hyundai Sonata · 30%
Model years with 150+ complaints in our data and 10+ describing this symptom, ranked by share. A high share means owners of that year who complained often mentioned it.
The details
Common causes of airbag light on
- A faulty seat belt buckle or seat sensor
- A worn clock spring in the steering wheel
- Loose connectors under the seats
- A failed airbag module or crash sensor
- Low battery voltage during a start
General causes, not a diagnosis. A shop should confirm the cause with tests before replacing parts.
Is it safe to drive with the airbag light on?
Stop and get help. The car drives normally, but the airbags may not work. Get it checked soon and check for recalls.
Get help right away if you carry passengers.
Of the 41,694 complaints describing it, 4% mention a crash, 1% say the car was towed and 3% report an injury.
What the complaints show
The parts owners filed these complaints under: air bags (92%), electrical system (14%), seat belts (6%), steering (3%). A complaint can list more than one.
Median odometer reading when owners reported it: 72,000 miles.
Most reports by make: Chevrolet (4,091), Honda (3,461), Nissan (3,399), Hyundai (3,042), Ford (2,997).
What owners say it cost to fix
Repair bills owners named in complaints that describe this symptom (airbags repairs): the middle half ran $400 to $1,300, typical $702, from 1,466 bills.
Each figure is one repair bill as an owner wrote it in a complaint, not a quote for your car. Prices vary with the part, the shop and the year.
Engine codes that come up with it
B1448 B1018 B0081 B0020 B00A0 B0111 B1706 B1B02
Trouble codes owners named in these complaints more often than in other symptom complaints. Look up any code →
Related symptoms
Car battery keeps dying Headlights not working All dashboard warning lights on Speedometer not working Power window not working Backup camera not working
Quick answers
What causes airbag light on?
An airbag light means the airbags may not go off in a crash. Get it checked as soon as you can. Common causes: a faulty seat belt buckle or seat sensor; a worn clock spring in the steering wheel; loose connectors under the seats; a failed airbag module or crash sensor; low battery voltage during a start.
Is it safe to drive with the airbag light on?
Stop and get help. The car drives normally, but the airbags may not work. Get it checked soon and check for recalls.
Which cars have this problem most?
In complaints to NHTSA, owners describe it most on the Hyundai Sonata, Honda Accord and Jeep Wrangler. These are raw counts, so popular models rank higher; complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
How much does it cost to fix?
In 1,466 repair bills owners named in complaints describing it, the middle half ran $400 to $1,300. The right repair depends on the cause.
Counts: NHTSA owner complaints whose text describes this symptom (we matched owners' own wording, then read samples to check the matches). A complaint is an owner's report, not a diagnosis or proof of a defect. Causes and advice are general information in our own words, not repair advice for your car. Every symptom · Engine code lookup