Can You Drive a Car After Airbags Deploy Safety Legal Guide

Wondering if you can drive a car after the airbags deploy? You’re likely in a stressful situation, needing a clear answer about safety and legality right now.

In most cases, you should not drive a car after the airbags have deployed. While it may be mechanically possible to move it a short distance to safety, the vehicle’s Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) is compromised. Continuing to drive is unsafe and may be illegal.

This guide is based on NHTSA safety standards and recommendations from ASE certified technicians. You will discover exactly how to assess the situation, understand the mechanical and safety failures, and navigate the legal and insurance consequences of airbag deployment.

Key Facts

• Engine Shutdown is a Safety Feature: The most common reason a car won’t start after airbag deployment is an automatic fuel pump cutoff switch, designed to prevent fires.
• The Entire Safety System is Disabled: When airbags deploy, the entire Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), including seat belt pretensioners, becomes inactive and offers no protection in a future crash.
• Driving is Effectively Illegal: While laws vary, a car with deployed airbags will fail a state safety inspection, making it illegal to register and operate long-term.
• Deployment Doesn’t Guarantee a Total Loss: An insurance company declares a car “totaled” only when the repair cost exceeds a certain percentage of the car’s value, a threshold that high airbag replacement costs often meet.
• DIY Repair is Extremely Dangerous: Airbag systems contain pyrotechnic inflators (explosives) and must only be handled by certified professionals to ensure safety and proper function.

Can You Legally and Safely Drive a Car After Airbags Deploy?

In most cases, you should not drive a car after the airbags have deployed. While it may be mechanically possible to move it a short distance to safety, the vehicle’s Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) is compromised. Continuing to drive is unsafe, may be illegal depending on your state, and could void your insurance. Always have the vehicle towed to a certified collision center for a full inspection.

Airbags are a one-time-use safety device. They are part of a complex network of modern car safety features, and their deployment signals that the entire system needs professional attention. Based on NHTSA safety standards and advice from ASE certified technician professionals, the decision to drive should be based on immediate context.

Here’s a breakdown of when you might consider moving the vehicle:

• For Moving to Safety (e.g., off a highway): If the car is still operable, visibility is clear, and it’s in a dangerous spot like an active traffic lane, moving it a very short distance to the shoulder is acceptable. This is about preventing a secondary accident.
• For Driving to a Repair Shop: This is not recommended. The risk of a second accident without any airbag or seatbelt pretensioner protection is too high. A compromised safety system means the vehicle is not roadworthy. The safest option is always towing.
• For Daily Use: Absolutely not. Driving a car with deployed airbags is reckless. It exposes you and your passengers to extreme risk, makes the vehicle illegal to operate in most jurisdictions due to failed safety inspections, and can lead to your car insurance claim being denied for any subsequent incidents.

What Should You Do In the First 5 Minutes After Your Airbags Deploy?

Immediately after a crash, your priority is safety. The hazy smoke and chemical smell you might notice are normal; it’s just cornstarch or talcum powder used to lubricate the deploying bag. Expert mechanical advice and traffic safety organizations recommend following a proven safety protocol. Here are the immediate steps you should take.

1. Assess Injuries: First, check yourself and any passengers for injuries. If anyone is hurt, call 911 immediately and do not attempt to move them unless there is an immediate fire or other danger.
2. Ensure Scene Safety: If you are able, turn on your vehicle’s hazard lights. This makes your car more visible to other drivers and is a universal signal for distress.
3. Move the Vehicle (If Safe): If the car is in a dangerous position (like the middle of a highway), and you have confirmed it is mechanically functional and your visibility isn’t blocked, you can move it to the shoulder. Do this slowly and cautiously.
4. Turn Off the Engine: Once the vehicle is in a safer location, turn off the engine to prevent any risk of fire from potential fuel or fluid leaks.
5. Call for Help: Dial 911 to report the accident. The dispatcher will send police and, if necessary, medical assistance. You should also consider calling for roadside assistance coverage to arrange for towing.

Why Won’t My Car Start After Airbags Have Deployed?

Your car likely won’t start after airbag deployment due to an automatic fuel pump cutoff switch. This safety device, also called an inertia switch, trips on impact to prevent fire. In many vehicles, this can be manually reset, often via a button in the trunk, under the dashboard, or in the passenger footwell. Consult your vehicle’s manual for the exact location and procedure.

This switch is a critical safety mechanism designed to disable the fuel pump after an impact is detected. Think of it like a circuit breaker in your house that trips during a power surge to prevent damage. According to manufacturer specifications, this is the most common reason for a no-start condition post-collision.

However, other issues can also prevent the engine from starting:

• SRS Control Module Lock: The SRS control module is the brain of your airbag system. After a deployment, it records “hard codes” that can sometimes trigger an ECU lock, preventing the engine from starting until it is cleared with a professional ECU reset tool.
• Battery or Electrical Damage: The force of the collision can sever a battery cable or damage other critical wiring, cutting power to the ignition system.
• Severe Mechanical Damage: While less common in minor accidents, the impact could have caused significant damage to the engine or transmission, physically preventing it from operating. A certified mechanic must diagnose these issues.

Is It Safe to Drive With Deployed Airbags?

Driving with deployed airbags is extremely unsafe. The key reasons are:
* No Future Protection: You will have no airbags in a second crash.
* Disabled Seatbelts: Seat belt pretensioners, which tighten belts during a crash, are also deployed and must be replaced.
* Blocked Visibility: The deflated bag can obstruct the driver’s view or interfere with steering.
* Damaged Sensors: The crash sensors may be damaged and unable to detect a future impact.

It is not safe to drive because the vehicle’s entire Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) is inactive. NHTSA safety standards are clear that a fully functional SRS is a cornerstone of occupant protection. Driving without it is a serious gamble.

The deployed airbag you see is only the most visible part of the problem. The system’s impact sensors may be damaged, and the SRS control module has stored crash data and will not trigger another deployment until it is professionally reset or replaced. Most importantly, your seat belt pretensioners have also fired. These one-time-use devices use a small explosive charge to tighten your seatbelt in a crash and will not work again. Without them, your primary restraint system is significantly less effective.

Is It Illegal to Drive a Car After Airbags Deploy?

It is effectively illegal to drive a car long-term after airbags deploy in most states. While not always a specific traffic violation on its own, the vehicle will not pass a required state safety inspection, making it illegal to register. Additionally, driving with an obstructed view from the airbag is a ticketable offense everywhere. Your insurance may also be voided.

The legality of driving with a deployed airbag is a nuanced issue that breaks down into three areas. As of 2026, you should consult your local Department of Motor Vehicles for specific regulations.

Here is the general legal framework:

1. Direct Laws: Very few states have a specific law that says, “You cannot drive with a deployed airbag.” However, all states have laws against operating an unsafe vehicle on public roads, a category a car with a compromised safety system clearly falls into.
2. Obstructed View: If the deflated airbag material blocks your view of the road, you can be pulled over and ticketed in any state. This is a common and straightforward violation.
3. Mandatory Safety Inspections: This is the most significant legal barrier. A vehicle with an active SRS warning light or visibly deployed airbags will automatically fails inspection. Without passing this inspection, you cannot legally register your vehicle or renew your registration. This makes long-term driving impossible without proper repairs.

Is My Car Totaled If the Airbags Deploy?

A car is not automatically totaled if airbags deploy, but it is a major factor. Insurers declare a car a “total loss” if repair costs are higher than a percentage (the “total loss threshold”) of the vehicle’s value. The high cost of replacing airbags, sensors, the SRS module, and repairing the dashboard often makes it a total loss for older cars, but not necessarily for newer, high-value vehicles.

An insurance adjuster determines this by comparing the car’s Actual Cash Value (ACV)—its market value right before the crash—to a data-driven repair estimate from a certified collision center. Most insurers use a total loss threshold of 70-80%. If the repair cost exceeds this percentage of the ACV, the car is declared a total loss.

The airbag replacement cost is high because multiple components must be replaced. Here are some estimated costs to illustrate why it often leads to a total loss determination. These are for informational purposes only and exclude labor.

As you can see, the costs quickly add up, easily pushing a car with a lower ACV over the total loss threshold.

FAQs About can you drive a car after airbags deploy

Can you drive a car if side airbags deploy?

Yes, the same risks and rules apply to side airbag deployment. The vehicle’s SRS is still compromised, and you have lost vital protection for side-impact or rollover collisions. The SRS control module will still store fault codes, and the vehicle will fail a safety inspection until the system is professionally repaired and reset by a certified mechanic.

Can airbags be replaced after deployment?

Yes, airbags and all related SRS components can be replaced. This is a complex job that should only be performed by a certified collision center. The process involves replacing the airbag modules, impact sensors, the SRS control module (or having it reset), and any damaged trim like the dashboard or steering column.

Will police pull you over for deployed airbags?

Yes, police can and likely will pull you over. While it may not be a primary offense in all states, it is a clear sign that the vehicle has been in a recent, significant accident. They will stop you to check on your welfare and to ensure the vehicle is not an unsafe vehicle being operated on public roads. You may be ticketed for an obstructed view or other safety violations.

Can you fix a car with deployed airbags yourself?

It is strongly advised not to attempt a DIY repair on an airbag system. Airbags contain explosive charges (pyrotechnic inflator) and are part of a complex electronic system. Incorrect installation can lead to the airbag not deploying when needed or deploying unexpectedly, causing serious injury. This work requires specialized tools and training and should be left to ASE certified technician professionals.

Can airbags deploy without a crash?

It is extremely rare but not impossible for airbags to deploy without a crash. This can be caused by a severe electrical fault, a malfunctioning SRS control module, or significant undercarriage impact (like hitting a very large pothole at speed) that a sensor misinterprets as a collision. If this happens, the vehicle is unsafe to drive and must be towed for inspection.

What safety systems are disabled after airbag deployment?

The entire Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) is disabled. This includes not only the airbags that deployed but also any that did not. Critically, the seat belt pretensioners, which tighten the belts in a crash, are also one-time-use devices and will be inactive. The system’s ability to detect a future crash via its impact sensors may also be compromised.

How do I reset my car after airbags deploy?

You cannot simply “reset” an airbag system after deployment. While a feature like the fuel pump cutoff switch can often be manually reset, the SRS control module stores permanent “hard codes” that require a specialized ECU reset tool or complete replacement of the module. This is a job for a professional inspection at a repair shop, not a DIY task.

Will the horn work after airbags deploy?

The horn may not work after the driver-side airbag deploys. The horn’s electrical connection runs through a component in the steering column called the clock spring, which also connects the airbag. The force of the airbag deployment frequently damages the clock spring, breaking the connection for both the airbag and the horn.

Can you drive a car after airbags deploy at low speed?

Even after a low-speed deployment, you should not drive the car. The deployment threshold for airbags is relatively low (often 8-14 mph for a frontal impact). Regardless of the crash speed, once the airbags have fired, the entire safety system is compromised and unsafe. The vehicle requires the same full inspection and repair as one from a high-speed crash.

Should I tow my car if airbags deployed?

Yes, towing is the safest and recommended course of action. Towing the vehicle to a certified collision center or your home eliminates all safety and legal risks of driving a compromised vehicle. It ensures a professional can assess the full extent of the damage, which may not be visible.

Key Takeaways: Driving After Airbag Deployment Summary

• Safety is Paramount: Driving a car after airbags deploy is fundamentally unsafe. The entire Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), including seat belt pretensioners, is compromised and offers no protection in a subsequent crash.
• Towing is the Best Option: To avoid all safety and legal risks, you should always have the vehicle towed to a certified collision center for a professional inspection rather than attempting to drive it.
• Legality is Complex but Clear: While specific laws vary, you will almost certainly fail a state safety inspection, making the car illegal to register and drive long-term. You can also be ticketed for an obstructed view.
• “Car Won’t Start” is a Safety Feature: A non-starting car is often due to a tripped fuel pump cutoff switch, an intentional safety design to prevent fires. It is not necessarily a sign of major engine damage.
• Total Loss is a Financial Calculation: Airbag deployment does not automatically mean a totaled car. It depends on the airbag replacement cost plus other damage relative to your car’s value, a calculation made by your insurance adjuster.
• Repairs are Not a DIY Project: The SRS is a complex, sensitive system involving pyrotechnics. All repairs must be done by an ASE certified technician to ensure legal compliance and future safety.

Final Thoughts on Driving a Car After Airbags Deploy

Navigating the aftermath of a car accident is stressful, but understanding the rules around airbag deployment empowers you to make the safest choice. The core principle is simple: a car with deployed airbags is a car with a disabled primary safety system. Prioritizing the safety of yourself and others by choosing to tow the vehicle is always the correct decision. By seeking a professional inspection, you ensure that all damage—seen and unseen—is properly addressed, restoring your vehicle’s integrity and your peace of mind.