What Airbag Recalls Mean and What You Need to Do

Airbag recalls happen when manufacturers discover a defect that makes the airbag deploy incorrectly, fail to deploy, or deploy with too much force

An airbag recall is a safety issue specific to the airbag system itself — not the car's brakes or engine. The manufacturer or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) identifies a problem that could injure or kill you during a crash, and the carmaker is required to fix it at no cost to you. The defect might be in how the airbag inflates, when it inflates, or whether it inflates at all.

Most airbag recalls fall into a few categories: inflators that rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin, sensors that misfire and deploy airbags when there is no crash, inflators that fail to deploy during an actual collision, or airbags that inflate with excessive force. The Takata inflator defect, which affected millions of vehicles over more than a decade, is the largest airbag recall in history.

You do not pay for a recall repair. The dealership performs the work under warranty, and the manufacturer covers all labor and parts. If you have already paid out of pocket for an airbag repair before the recall was issued, you may be able to request reimbursement from the manufacturer.

Key Takeaways

• Check whether your vehicle is under an airbag recall by entering your vehicle identification number (VIN) on NHTSA's website or your manufacturer's recall page.
• Airbag recall repairs are always free and performed by authorized dealerships; you should never pay for this work.
• Some airbag recalls are safety-critical and should be addressed before driving the vehicle, while others are lower-risk; NHTSA's recall notice will specify the urgency.
• If you own a vehicle with a known airbag defect and have not yet had it repaired, contact your dealership or the manufacturer to schedule an appointment.
• Rental cars and used vehicles can also be subject to open recalls, so check the recall status before signing paperwork.

How to check if your vehicle is under an airbag recall

Go to NHTSA's recall search tool at safercar.gov and enter your vehicle identification number (VIN). Your VIN is on your registration, insurance card, or the driver's side door jamb. The search will show every open recall on your vehicle, including airbag recalls, and will tell you whether the repair has already been completed.

You can also visit your vehicle manufacturer's website directly — most have a dedicated recall page where you can search by VIN. Some manufacturers will email you when a recall is issued for your vehicle if you have registered it with them, but do not rely on this alone. Checking the website yourself is faster and more reliable.

If you are shopping for a used vehicle, ask the seller or dealership to run this same search before you buy. A vehicle with an open airbag recall should be repaired before you take ownership, or the price should reflect the cost and inconvenience of scheduling the repair yourself.

What happens during an airbag recall repair

The repair depends on the specific defect. For Takata inflator recalls, the dealership removes the old airbag module and installs a new one. For sensor-related recalls, the technician may reprogram the airbag control module or replace the sensor entirely. Some recalls require only a software update that takes 30 minutes; others require physical replacement and can take several hours.

Schedule the repair at an authorized dealership for your vehicle's brand. Independent shops cannot perform recall work because the repair must be documented in the manufacturer's system and reported to NHTSA. When you call to schedule, tell the dealership it is a recall repair so they know to charge the manufacturer, not you.

Bring your keys and be prepared to wait or arrange a ride, depending on how long the repair takes. Some dealerships offer loaner vehicles during recalls; ask when you schedule. Once the repair is complete, the dealership will provide documentation showing the work was done. Keep this paperwork in case you ever need to prove the recall was addressed.

The difference between safety-critical and lower-risk airbag recalls

NHTSA assigns each recall a risk level. A safety-critical recall means the defect poses an immediate risk of injury or death and should be repaired before you drive the vehicle further. A lower-risk recall means the defect is real but the probability of harm is smaller, and you have more time to schedule the repair.

When you look up your recall on safercar.gov, the notice will describe the defect and explain the risk. Read this carefully. If the recall says the airbag may deploy unexpectedly or fail to deploy during a crash, that is safety-critical. If it says the airbag may deploy with slightly more force than intended, that is still serious but may be rated lower-risk depending on the specific numbers.

Do not ignore any airbag recall, even a lower-risk one. The defect will not fix itself, and the longer you wait, the higher the chance you are in a crash where the defect matters. Schedule the repair as soon as the dealership has parts in stock.

What to do if your dealership cannot get parts or schedule you quickly

Some airbag recalls create backlogs because millions of vehicles are affected and parts are limited. If your dealership tells you there is a long wait, ask them for an estimated timeline. If the recall is safety-critical and you cannot get an appointment for weeks, contact the manufacturer's customer service line directly — they can sometimes prioritize your case or direct you to a dealership with faster availability.

You can also file a complaint with NHTSA if you believe the manufacturer is not making parts available quickly enough. Go to safercar.gov, select "File a Complaint," and describe the situation. NHTSA tracks these complaints and can pressure manufacturers to increase production or expand repair capacity.

In the meantime, if the recall is safety-critical, minimize driving the vehicle or avoid driving it altogether until the repair is complete. If you must drive it, avoid situations where an airbag malfunction would be most dangerous — such as highway driving or heavy traffic.

Airbag recalls on rental cars and leased vehicles

Rental car companies are responsible for addressing recalls on their fleet. Before you rent a car, you have no way to know whether it is under an open recall. If you discover after renting that the vehicle has an unrepaired airbag recall, contact the rental company immediately and request a different vehicle. Do not drive a car with a safety-critical airbag recall.

If you lease a vehicle, the leasing company typically handles recalls, but you should still check the status yourself. If a recall has not been addressed by the time your lease ends, report it to the leasing company in writing before you return the vehicle. This protects you from liability if the defect causes injury after you no longer own it.

For purchased vehicles, you are responsible for scheduling the repair. If you sell the vehicle before addressing an open recall, disclose this to the buyer in writing. Many states require this disclosure, and failing to provide it can result in legal liability.

What airbag recalls cost you in time and inconvenience

The repair itself is free, but your time is not. Depending on the defect, you may spend 30 minutes to several hours at the dealership. Some dealerships will complete the work while you wait; others may ask you to leave the vehicle and pick it up later. A few offer loaner cars, but many do not.

If you rely on your vehicle for work or caregiving, schedule the recall repair during a time when you can afford to be without the car. Call ahead and ask how long the repair typically takes for your specific recall. If it is more than an hour, arrange transportation in advance.

There is no charge for the repair, no deductible, and no impact on your insurance. The only cost is the time you spend getting to the dealership and waiting for the work to be done.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive my car if it has an open airbag recall?

It depends on the risk level. If NHTSA rates the recall as safety-critical, you should not drive the vehicle until it is repaired. If it is lower-risk, you can drive it, but you should schedule the repair as soon as possible. Check the recall notice on safercar.gov to see how NHTSA describes the risk.

What if the dealership says my airbag recall is not available yet?

Some recalls have parts shortages, especially if millions of vehicles are affected. Ask the dealership for an estimated date when parts will arrive and whether they can put you on a waiting list. If the recall is safety-critical and the wait is very long, contact the manufacturer's customer service line to see if another dealership has parts in stock sooner.

Do I have to go to the dealership where I bought the car?

No. You can take your vehicle to any authorized dealership for that brand. If your original dealership has a long wait, call other dealerships in your area to see who can schedule you faster. All authorized dealers have access to the same parts and can report the repair to the manufacturer.

What if I already paid for an airbag repair before the recall was issued?

Contact the manufacturer's customer service department and explain that you paid out of pocket for a repair that was later recalled. Provide your receipt and the recall number. Many manufacturers will reimburse you, though the process can take several weeks. If the manufacturer refuses, you can file a complaint with NHTSA or pursue a small claims case.

Can a used car dealer sell me a vehicle with an open airbag recall?

Yes, but many states require dealers to disclose open recalls. Check your state's consumer protection laws. Regardless, you should always run a recall check before buying a used car. If the vehicle has an open recall, negotiate the price down to account for the repair cost and inconvenience, or ask the dealer to have the repair completed before you take ownership.