Do airbags still work after 20 years?

Yes—many airbags will still function after 20 years because most modern systems are designed to last the life of the vehicle. However, long-term reliability depends on the specific inflator design, climate exposure, prior repairs, and whether the vehicle is under a safety recall (notably the large Takata recall). Owners of older cars should check for open recalls by VIN, watch for SRS warning lights, and consider the vehicle’s history and environment when assessing risk.

What automakers and regulators say

Regulators such as the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) state that airbags are intended to last the life of the vehicle and do not have a routine replacement interval. Most automakers no longer specify a time-based replacement, though some earlier owner’s manuals from the 1990s–early 2000s mentioned inspections at 10–15 years; those recommendations were generally dropped as designs matured. The major exception is when an inflator is covered by a safety recall or service campaign—then replacement is required regardless of age.

How airbags age

Inflators and propellant stability

An airbag’s “inflator” is a sealed device that rapidly produces gas to fill the bag. Over decades, inflator performance can be affected by:
– Propellant chemistry and sealing. Ammonium nitrate propellant (used in many Takata inflators) can degrade with heat and humidity, increasing the risk of rupture. Other propellants (e.g., guanidine nitrate) and desiccated designs are more stable.
– Thermal cycling and moisture ingress. Vehicles stored in hot, humid climates or experiencing large temperature swings face more stress. Even small seal imperfections can matter over long periods.

Sensors, wiring, and control modules

The rest of the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)—crash sensors, wiring, clockspring, and control module—can also age. Corrosion at connectors, damage from prior repairs, flood exposure, and aftermarket modifications are typical culprits. The SRS performs self-checks each time you start the vehicle; a persistent airbag/SRS warning light means a fault has been detected and needs diagnostic attention.

Evidence from the field: recalls and real-world failures

The most consequential case is the global Takata airbag crisis. In the U.S. alone, roughly 67 million inflators have been recalled across tens of millions of vehicles, with risk sharply higher in older cars exposed to heat and humidity. NHTSA has linked the defect to dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries; several “Do Not Drive” advisories were issued for specific older models. Separately, NHTSA has pushed for a broad recall of certain ARC and Delphi inflators due to rupture risk; that action is evolving, and some targeted recalls have occurred. These events show that age plus certain designs and climates can materially increase risk—even if the airbag still deploys in many vehicles after 20 years.

Practical steps for owners of 15–25-year-old vehicles

If you’re keeping or buying an older car, a few checks will go a long way toward understanding the condition of its airbags and overall SRS.

• Run a VIN recall check at your national safety authority (e.g., NHTSA.gov/recalls in the U.S., Transport Canada’s database, or your country’s equivalent) and your automaker’s recall site. Complete any open campaigns promptly and for free.
• Observe the SRS/airbag warning light. It should illuminate briefly at startup and then turn off. If it stays on, flashes, or never lights, have the system scanned for diagnostic trouble codes.
• Verify the vehicle’s history. Be wary of salvage titles, flood damage, or any post-crash repairs; counterfeit or improper airbag replacements have been found in some used cars.
• Avoid disabling or modifying the system. Don’t install aftermarket steering wheels without proper SRS compatibility, and don’t cover or tamper with airbag covers or sensor areas.
• Consult a qualified technician for an SRS health check if the car has lived in hot/humid regions for decades or has unknown repair history, even if no warning light is on.

These precautions help you catch high-risk issues—especially recalls and wiring faults—without guessing about inflator internals you can’t inspect visually.

Risk factors that make 20-year-old airbags less trustworthy

While many older airbags work as intended, certain conditions increase the chance of non-deployment or dangerous deployment.

• Prolonged exposure to heat and humidity (e.g., Gulf Coast, tropical climates), especially for ammonium-nitrate inflators.
• Flood or water intrusion, which can corrode connectors and modules.
• Prior crash repairs with non-OEM or counterfeit airbags, or missing components.
• Electrical faults: damaged clockspring, corroded grounds, or modified wiring.
• Open safety recalls or ignored “Do Not Drive” notices.

If multiple risk factors apply—older vehicle, harsh climate, uncertain history—treat the risk as elevated and prioritize inspection and recall completion.

Should you proactively replace 20-year-old airbags?

In general, no. Outside of recall campaigns, automakers do not recommend routine, time-based airbag replacement, and new OEM parts may be unavailable for older models. Replacements are expensive and, in many jurisdictions, strictly controlled. The safer and more practical approach is to ensure there are no open recalls, confirm the SRS is fault-free, and address any wiring or sensor issues. If a vehicle is subject to a “Do Not Drive” advisory, do not operate it until recall repairs are completed.

How to maximize safety in an older car

Even with an aging SRS, you can reduce risk and improve crash protection with good practices.

• Always wear seat belts; they’re the primary restraint and crucial to airbag effectiveness.
• Maintain proper seating position—aim for at least 10 inches (25 cm) from your chest to the steering wheel airbag.
• Keep children under 13 out of the front seat and never place a rear-facing child seat in front of an active passenger airbag.
• Replace frayed or damaged seat belts and fix inoperative pretensioners.
• Avoid adding dash covers or accessories over airbag panels or sensors.

These steps improve protection regardless of vehicle age and help the SRS perform as designed.

Summary

Airbags can and often do work after 20 years, and most are engineered for the vehicle’s lifetime. But time, environment, and specific inflator designs matter. The biggest real-world risk comes from recalled inflators—especially Takata units in older, heat- and humidity-exposed vehicles. Check your VIN for recalls, heed SRS warning lights, verify repair history, and follow safe-use practices. If a recall applies, get it fixed immediately; if not, a well-maintained, fault-free SRS in a 20-year-old car can still provide critical protection in a crash.

Is a 30 year old airbag safe?

These airbags do not deteriorate like early plastic sealed systems. In fact, the NHTSA has reported that 30-year-old airbags have performed perfectly well in collisions. By 1998, federal regulations required that all new vehicles be outfitted with dual airbags as standard equipment.

What is the lifespan of an airbag?

Modern car airbags, produced since the mid-1990s, are designed to last the lifetime of the vehicle and do not require routine replacement, as they are built with long-lasting materials and have self-diagnostic systems that last for the vehicle’s life. Airbags in older vehicles, particularly those from before 1992, may have different requirements due to less advanced sealing technology that was susceptible to moisture, so it’s important to check your owner’s manual for specific guidance. A deployed airbag must always be replaced, and a persistent airbag warning light indicates a system malfunction that needs professional attention. 
Modern Airbags (Post-1990s)

• Last the life of the vehicle: Opens in new tabAirbags in new cars are designed to function for the entire lifespan of the vehicle. 
• Improved sealing technology: Opens in new tabAdvances, such as glass-to-metal sealing, prevent moisture from reaching the airbag’s inflator, a common cause of failure in older systems. 
• Self-diagnostic systems: Opens in new tabModern cars have on-board diagnostic systems that continuously monitor airbag performance, alerting the driver to any issues with a warning light. 

Older Airbags (Pre-1990s)

• Potential need for replacement: Some manufacturers of older vehicles, especially those built before 1992, included replacement labels recommending inspection or replacement every 10-15 years. 
• Plastic sealing issues: In some older models, particularly some foreign makes, plastic sealing technology was used around the igniter. This plastic could degrade over time, making airbags more susceptible to malfunction. 
• Check your owner’s manual: If you have a car from this era, consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual for specific maintenance and replacement recommendations. 

When to Get Your Airbags Checked

• A deployed airbag: Opens in new tabIf your airbags have deployed in a crash, they must be replaced by a qualified mechanic. 
• Airbag warning light: Opens in new tabIf the airbag warning light on your dashboard stays on, or if it doesn’t illuminate when you turn the key, have your vehicle inspected by a professional as soon as possible. 

What is the 5 10 20 rule for airbags?

The “5 10 20 Rule” is a safety guideline for operating in and around vehicles with airbags, recommending a minimum clearance of 5 inches from side airbags, 10 inches from a driver’s steering wheel airbag, and 20 inches from a passenger’s dashboard airbag. This rule helps prevent serious injury from the powerful, rapid deployment of both activated and unactivated airbags during rescue operations.
 
What Each Number Represents 

• 5 inches: For side impact airbags (including side-curtain airbags).
• 10 inches: For the driver’s side airbag in the steering wheel.
• 20 inches: For the front passenger’s dashboard airbag.

Why the Rule is Important

• Rapid Deployment: Airbags deploy extremely fast, at speeds up to 200 mph, to provide life-saving protection in a crash. 
• Severe Injury Potential: Even a deployed airbag can cause serious or fatal injuries if a person is too close to the deployment zone. 
• Undeployed Airbags: The risk of injury exists even with airbags that have not deployed, as they can still activate unexpectedly after the vehicle’s power is shut off. 

How to Apply the Rule

1. Locate Airbag Modules: Look for “Airbag” or “SRS” (Supplemental Restraint System) labels on the vehicle’s interior surfaces. 
2. Maintain Safe Distances: Keep the recommended distances from these modules. 
3. Be Aware of Full Deployment Zone: Understand that the airbag will inflate a specific distance into the compartment; the rule is about the space the airbag occupies when fully inflated. 
4. Avoid the Zone: If possible, work outside these defined zones to minimize the risk of injury. 

Will a 20 year old airbag work?

There is an expiration date but it was proven that it’s better to drive a car with an expired airbag than one without. It will still go off when charged. People have tested airbags well past expiration by like 10+ years and they still work fine.