Airbags: An FAQ
December 10, 2022
Airbags, Airbag deployment
Airbags can be the difference between a broken nose and not seeing tomorrow. It‘s serious but true. So, we’re answering airbag questions for you to stay safe.
Airbags are specially designed deployment systems around your car to help you in the event of a crash. On impact, your airbags should trigger and fill with air in just enough time to prevent you from hitting your head and causing some serious damage.
Here at Dealership Autoplex Collision Center, our ASE-certified technicians are answering some of the common questions we see around the web to do with airbag deployment here in Texas. So, if you’re interested, read on…
Yes and no. It depends on when your vehicle was built. In 1999, a regulation was passed mandating that all vehicles must be manufactured with functioning airbags. However, there is no law about driving a car built before 1999 being illegal.
Texas takes on all-state law when it comes to the use of airbags. All cars produced after 1999 must be equipped with frontal airbags. Meaning you should have an airbag in your steering wheel and in front of your front-seat passenger.
It’s worth knowing that an airbag’s trigger needs a source of power. So, if your key is in the ignition but the ignition is not turned on, the airbags won’t deploy. But as long as the ignition is on, your engine doesn’t have to be running for airbag deployment.
If the question is about the legalities of driving with an airbag deployed, it’s yes. If the question is about safety, the answer is no unless you’re driving to your auto shop to have them replaced because you won’t be protected in the event of another crash.
Yes. Whether it’s the airbag lights, the engine lights or the anti-lock braking lights, you cannot have any lights showing on your dash if you want to pass your Texas vehicle inspection. It may mean it won’t trigger airbag deployment when impacted.
While most dash lights can be turned off with a scanner, it’s not the case with the airbags. If this light comes on, it can mean there's an issue with the trigger and your airbags need to be professionally examined before being manually switched off.
The average cost for one airbag in Texas is $600. However, then there’s the cost of installation by certified technicians. So, you could be looking at a total of around $1500 for the full installation of your main airbag but the costs can vary for the other types.
While frontal airbags are mandatory in Texas with all cars manufactured after 1999, there are four other safety airbags that are recommended but aren’t regulatory. These are knee airbags, side airbags, curtain airbags and inflatable seat belts.
If you’ve been in an accident and you’ve had airbag deployment, you should call into our shop in Carrollton, TX, right away. Our ASE-certified team of technicians will work with your vehicle to replace your airbags and sensors in no time. Alternatively, if you wanted to learn more about our team, our services and how we can help you maintain a safe, smooth and customized ride, contact us today at (972) 242-0092. We also list our services and FAQs on our website for you to learn more.
Airbags are specially designed deployment systems around your car to help you in the event of a crash. On impact, your airbags should trigger and fill with air in just enough time to prevent you from hitting your head and causing some serious damage.
Here at Dealership Autoplex Collision Center, our ASE-certified technicians are answering some of the common questions we see around the web to do with airbag deployment here in Texas. So, if you’re interested, read on…
- Is It Illegal to Drive Without Airbags in Texas?
Yes and no. It depends on when your vehicle was built. In 1999, a regulation was passed mandating that all vehicles must be manufactured with functioning airbags. However, there is no law about driving a car built before 1999 being illegal.
- Which Airbags Are Required in Texas?
Texas takes on all-state law when it comes to the use of airbags. All cars produced after 1999 must be equipped with frontal airbags. Meaning you should have an airbag in your steering wheel and in front of your front-seat passenger.
- Does a Car Have to Be Running for Airbag Deployment?
It’s worth knowing that an airbag’s trigger needs a source of power. So, if your key is in the ignition but the ignition is not turned on, the airbags won’t deploy. But as long as the ignition is on, your engine doesn’t have to be running for airbag deployment.
- Can You Drive With Deployed Airbags?
If the question is about the legalities of driving with an airbag deployed, it’s yes. If the question is about safety, the answer is no unless you’re driving to your auto shop to have them replaced because you won’t be protected in the event of another crash.
- Will I Fail a Texas State Inspection With the Airbag Light on?
Yes. Whether it’s the airbag lights, the engine lights or the anti-lock braking lights, you cannot have any lights showing on your dash if you want to pass your Texas vehicle inspection. It may mean it won’t trigger airbag deployment when impacted.
- How Can I Turn the Light for My Airbags Off?
While most dash lights can be turned off with a scanner, it’s not the case with the airbags. If this light comes on, it can mean there's an issue with the trigger and your airbags need to be professionally examined before being manually switched off.
- How Much Does it Cost for Airbags to be Installed?
The average cost for one airbag in Texas is $600. However, then there’s the cost of installation by certified technicians. So, you could be looking at a total of around $1500 for the full installation of your main airbag but the costs can vary for the other types.
- What types of airbags are recommended?
While frontal airbags are mandatory in Texas with all cars manufactured after 1999, there are four other safety airbags that are recommended but aren’t regulatory. These are knee airbags, side airbags, curtain airbags and inflatable seat belts.
If you’ve been in an accident and you’ve had airbag deployment, you should call into our shop in Carrollton, TX, right away. Our ASE-certified team of technicians will work with your vehicle to replace your airbags and sensors in no time. Alternatively, if you wanted to learn more about our team, our services and how we can help you maintain a safe, smooth and customized ride, contact us today at (972) 242-0092. We also list our services and FAQs on our website for you to learn more.
Many drivers assume that newer vehicles should always look less damaged after an accident because of advances in automotive engineering. In reality, modern vehicles are often designed to absorb collision energy differently than older vehicles, which can sometimes make accident damage appear more extensive even during lower-speed impacts. At Dealership Autoplex Collision Center, we regularly help customers understand that modern collision damage is closely connected to how today’s vehicles are engineered for occupant safety. What may initially appear to be excessive damage is often part of the vehicle’s designed crash protection system.
After a vehicle accident, many drivers focus first on visible damage. Dents, cracked bumpers, broken lights, and scratched paint are often the most obvious concerns. However, some of the most serious problems caused by a collision are not immediately visible from the outside. Even relatively minor accidents can create hidden structural, mechanical, or safety-related issues that affect how a vehicle performs afterward. This is why having the vehicle inspected by an ASE-certified technician is so important following an accident. At Dealership Autoplex Collision Center, we understand that collision repair involves far more than cosmetic appearance. Proper post-accident inspections help identify hidden damage that could affect vehicle safety, drivability, and long-term reliability.
When a vehicle is brought into a collision repair shop, most owners focus on the visible outcome. They expect the dents to be gone, the paint to match, and the vehicle to look as it did before the accident. While appearance is important, professional collision repair goes far beyond surface-level results. At the center of that process is quality control, a structured approach that ensures every repair meets safety, performance, and aesthetic standards before the vehicle is returned. Understanding what quality control involves helps explain why thorough repairs take time and why attention to detail is essential. More Than a Final Check Quality control is not a single step that happens at the end of the repair process. It is integrated throughout the entire workflow. From the initial assessment to final delivery, each stage includes checkpoints designed to verify that the work is being completed correctly. This approach ensures that issues are identified early rather than after the repair is finished. By maintaining oversight at multiple stages, technicians can confirm that each part of the process aligns with manufacturer specifications and industry standards.
