Can you still drive a car with a blown airbag?

Yes, most cars will still start and move after an airbag deploys, but you should not drive them. A deployed (or “blown”) airbag signals a crash-level event and leaves the supplemental restraint system (SRS) compromised, making the vehicle unsafe and, in many jurisdictions, not road-legal until repaired. The safest, most legally sound choice is to have the car towed and the SRS repaired before returning to the road.

What “blown airbag” means and why it matters

When an airbag deploys, the vehicle’s crash sensors and control module detect a collision-level force and trigger pyrotechnic inflators and seat-belt pretensioners. After deployment, the protective cushions deflate quickly, but the event disables the system and can damage wiring, trim, steering-wheel or dashboard components, and seat-belt hardware. The interior may also be filled with fine particulate residue from the deployment. Even if the car still runs, its primary crash protection beyond seat belts is no longer functional, and additional airbags may be disabled until the system is professionally reset and repaired.

Is it legal to drive with a deployed or missing airbag?

There’s no blanket U.S. federal law that forbids a private owner from driving a car after an airbag deploys, but laws and enforcement vary by state and country. Many regions require vehicles to be in safe operating condition and will fail cars with missing safety equipment or illuminated SRS warning lights at periodic inspections. It is illegal for repair businesses to disable required safety equipment or install counterfeit airbags, and insurers may decline coverage if you knowingly operate an unsafe vehicle. Always check your local regulations and inspection rules before considering any trip in a vehicle with a compromised SRS.

Practical risks if you try to drive after an airbag deploys

Even a short drive after a deployment carries risks that go beyond a warning light on the dash. Here are the most common hazards drivers face when attempting to continue driving.

• Reduced crash protection: With the SRS disabled, you’re more vulnerable in any subsequent collision; remaining airbags may not deploy correctly.
• Seat-belt issues: Pretensioners that have fired can leave belts locked, slack, or otherwise compromised and in need of replacement.
• Obstructed controls/visibility: A torn steering-wheel cover, hanging fabric, or a split dashboard can interfere with the wheel, stalks, or view.
• Electrical faults: Damage to clockspring wiring can disable the horn, steering-wheel controls, or even affect stability-control systems.
• Irritants in the cabin: Airbag residue can irritate eyes and lungs; driving without ventilation or cleanup can be uncomfortable and unsafe.
• Insurance and liability exposure: If you’re involved in another incident, operating with a known safety defect can complicate claims and liability.

Because these risks can stack quickly in real-world traffic, most safety experts and automakers advise against any self-driving after an airbag deploys, except to move the car a few feet to a safe location.

What to do immediately after an airbag deployment

If your airbags have deployed, treating the situation like any other crash scene—regardless of the severity—helps protect you legally and physically. The steps below outline the safest course of action.

1. Check for injuries and call emergency services if needed; airbag dust can irritate—open windows and step out if you can do so safely.
2. Shut the vehicle off; do not disconnect or tamper with SRS components yourself.
3. Document the scene and vehicle damage with photos, including the dashboard warning lights.
4. Arrange a tow to a qualified collision center or dealership; avoid driving the vehicle on public roads.
5. Notify your insurer promptly and follow their instructions before authorizing repairs.
6. Have the entire SRS inspected, including sensors, control module, airbags, pretensioners, and wiring.

These actions preserve your safety, protect evidence for insurance, and ensure a proper diagnostic path to restore the vehicle’s protective systems.

Repairing the system: what’s involved and what it may cost

Restoring a modern SRS is more than swapping a single bag. Shops typically replace all modules that fired and any damaged trim, then clear crash data and verify the system with a scan tool and calibrations.

• Common parts: Airbag modules (driver, passenger, side/curtain), seat-belt pretensioners, crash sensors, SRS control module, clockspring, wiring pigtails, and interior panels (steering-wheel cover, dash panel, headliner).
• Calibrations: Post-repair scans, sensor initialization, and steering-angle or occupant-detection calibrations are often required.
• Costs: Depending on the vehicle and number of components, SRS repair can range from roughly $1,500 to well over $5,000; luxury vehicles and multi-airbag deployments can exceed that. Significant interior trim or dashboard replacement can push totals higher, and insurers may declare a total loss if repair costs approach the car’s value.
• Parts quality and legality: New, OEM-spec components are recommended; counterfeit or improperly refurbished airbags are dangerous and illegal to install.

A complete, standards-compliant repair ensures the SRS will protect occupants in future crashes and helps you pass inspections and maintain insurance coverage.

Insurance and liability considerations

Because airbag deployments typically indicate a claim-level event, engaging your insurer early helps avoid disputes and ensures proper parts and procedures are used.

• Claims handling: Insurers may require a certified shop and pre-/post-repair scans to verify the SRS is restored.
• Drive-or-tow guidance: Many policies discourage driving a vehicle that’s unsafe or not roadworthy; towing is often covered after a deployment.
• Total loss thresholds: Airbag and dash replacements can tip a vehicle past total-loss criteria, especially in older models.
• Aftermarket/used parts: Policies and local laws may restrict used airbags; counterfeit components put you at risk and can void coverage.

Clear communication with your insurer and a qualified repair facility reduces out-of-pocket surprises and ensures the vehicle returns to service safely.

Exceptions and edge cases

There are unusual scenarios where someone might consider moving the vehicle, but each comes with important caveats.

• Very low-speed deployments: Even if exterior damage seems minor, the SRS still requires professional diagnostics before further driving.
• Private property moves: Relocating a few yards off a roadway may be unavoidable, but extended driving—even on private roads—remains unsafe.
• Vehicles without airbags: Older or specialty vehicles that never had airbags are a different case; however, tampering with factory-installed systems in newer cars is unsafe and can be unlawful for repair businesses.

In practice, if airbags have deployed, the prudent approach is to tow—regardless of circumstances—until a technician clears the SRS as operational.

Summary

You can physically drive many cars after an airbag deploys, but you shouldn’t. A blown airbag means the SRS is compromised, additional safety components may be damaged, and legal or insurance problems can follow. Move the car only as needed for immediate safety, arrange a tow, and have the system professionally inspected and repaired before returning to public roads.

How much does it cost to replace an airbag?

Replacing an airbag can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $6,000 or more, depending on the vehicle’s make and model, the number of airbags that deployed, and whether other safety system components also need repairs. The overall price includes the cost of new airbag units, the airbag control module, and other related parts, plus labor charges for installation and system checks. 
Factors influencing the cost

• Number of airbags: Opens in new tabEach airbag that deploys needs to be replaced, and typically, multiple airbags are involved in a collision, increasing the total cost. 
• Vehicle brand and type: Opens in new tabThe make and model of the car significantly affect part prices and labor costs, with luxury and specialized vehicles often being more expensive. 
• Additional parts and repairs: Opens in new tabAfter an airbag deploys, other components like crash sensors, wiring harnesses, and impact absorbers may also need repair or replacement, adding to the overall expense. 
• Labor charges: Opens in new tabMechanics’ labor rates and the complexity of the installation process for various airbag locations contribute to the final bill. 
• Airbag control module: Opens in new tabThe central control module often requires resetting or replacement to clear crash data from the system, which is an additional expense. 

What’s included in the cost

• New airbag units: The actual airbag modules that deploy. 
• Associated parts: Sensors, control modules, and any wiring or components damaged during deployment. 
• Labor: The mechanic’s time for diagnosing the system, replacing parts, and resetting the control module. 

Getting an accurate estimate

• Get a second opinion: Because the full extent of damage isn’t always clear after a crash, always get a detailed inspection and estimate from a reputable mechanic. 
• Check with your insurance: If the deployment was due to a collision, your auto insurance might cover some or all of the costs, especially under comprehensive or collision coverage. 

Is a car still good after airbags deploy?

A car with deployed airbags is not considered good or safe to drive until properly repaired at a certified facility, as the airbags are a single-use safety system and the deployment indicates a significant impact. While deployment doesn’t automatically mean the car is a total loss, the extensive damage from a crash that triggers the airbags, plus the high cost of replacing the airbags and other safety systems like seatbelts and sensors, often leads insurance companies to declare the vehicle a total loss. 
Why a car is not “good” after airbags deploy

• Safety Systems: Airbags are a one-time use system; they must be replaced for the car to be safe again. 
• Significant Impact: Airbag deployment signifies a severe crash, meaning there’s almost always significant underlying damage to the vehicle. 
• Component Replacement: Replacing deployed airbags is expensive, and you also need to replace other parts of the safety system that were triggered, such as seatbelt pretensioners and potentially the airbag module and sensors. 
• Legal Implications: Driving a car with deployed airbags can be illegal and may void your insurance. 

When a car is declared a total loss

• An insurer declares a vehicle a total loss when the cost of repairs, including airbag replacement, exceeds the vehicle’s market value, a threshold that varies by state. 
• The severe impact required to deploy airbags often leads to more extensive, costly damage, which can make the repair cost greater than the car’s value. 

What to do if your airbags deploy

1. Do Not Drive: After the airbags have deployed, do not drive the vehicle. 
2. Assess Damage: Take photos of the damage, and have the car inspected by a trusted mechanic or certified collision center. 
3. Get it Repaired: Have the vehicle repaired at an authorized center, including replacement of the airbags and other damaged safety components, to ensure it is safe again. 

Can you drive with a blown airbag?

No, you cannot, and should not, drive a car once the airbags have deployed because the vehicle is no longer safe. The impact required to deploy airbags often causes significant, unseen damage to critical systems, and the airbag system itself will not function again until it’s professionally repaired. Driving a car with deployed airbags is a severe safety risk due to lack of protection in another collision and can also have legal and insurance consequences. 
Why you shouldn’t drive the car

• Compromised Safety Systems: Airbag deployment indicates a serious collision, and underlying structural or mechanical damage can make the car unsafe. 
• Disabled Airbags: Deployed airbags cannot be used again and will not provide protection in a future crash until the entire system is replaced. 
• Visibility and Comfort: Deployed airbags can obstruct your view and make it difficult or impossible to operate the vehicle comfortably. 
• Potential Legal Issues: It may be illegal to drive a vehicle with deployed airbags, and your insurance coverage could be voided if you continue to operate it. 

What to do instead

1. Do not drive the vehicle. Opens in new tabArrange for it to be towed to a certified collision center for inspection and repair. 
2. Have the entire vehicle inspected Opens in new tabfor underlying damage to mechanical components, the frame, and other safety systems. 
3. Contact your insurance provider Opens in new tabto discuss coverage for the repairs, especially if the car is not deemed a total loss. 

Is it worth fixing a car with airbags deployed?

Whether it’s worth fixing a car with deployed airbags depends on the vehicle’s overall value versus the total repair costs, which include the expensive replacement of airbags, sensors, and the control module, as well as any other body or mechanical damage. Airbag deployment is often a strong indicator that the vehicle is a total loss, especially for older cars, because the repair costs can quickly exceed the car’s actual cash value. 
Factors determining if it’s worth fixing

• Car’s Actual Cash Value (ACV): Opens in new tabThe higher the car’s pre-accident value, the more likely it is worth repairing. 
• Cost of Repairs: Opens in new tabAirbag replacement is expensive, potentially costing thousands of dollars, according to Toyota of Clermont. 
• Extent of Damage: Opens in new tabAirbags deploying suggests a significant impact, which often leads to other damage, such as to the frame or engine, further increasing repair costs. 
• California’s Total Loss Threshold: Opens in new tabIn California, a vehicle is typically considered totaled if the repair costs reach 75% or more of its pre-accident value. 

Why it’s often not worth fixing

• High Replacement Costs: The cost of the airbag itself, plus the associated sensors and control module, is significant. 
• History of Damage: A vehicle that has had its airbags deploy can be considered a total loss due to the potential for hidden structural damage. 
• Lower Resale Value: Even after repairs, a car with a history of deployed airbags may have a lower resale value. 

When it might be worth fixing

• Newer, High-Value Vehicles: Opens in new tabIf the car is relatively new and has a high pre-accident value, the insurance company may cover the extensive repairs, including the airbags. 
• Minimal Other Damage: Opens in new tabIf the impact that triggered the airbags was minor and there is little to no other significant damage to the vehicle, it may be worth repairing.