The function of the car's main airbag
The automotive main airbags (typically referring to the front airbags on the driver's side and the front passenger side) are the core components of the vehicle's passive safety system. Their main function is to provide critical protection for the occupants during a collision.
Buffering impact force: During frontal collisions or rapid deceleration, the main airbag inflates and expands rapidly within a short period (approximately 20-30 milliseconds). It forms a soft buffer layer between the occupant's head, chest, and the steering wheel, dashboard, etc., directly absorbing and dispersing the impact energy, significantly reducing the severity of the impact.
Distributing impact pressure: The airbag uses its large-area deployment structure to evenly distribute the impact force originally concentrated on specific parts of the body (such as the face, sternum) to a larger contact area on the chest, head, etc., effectively avoiding excessive force on a specific area that could lead to fractures or internal organ damage.
Preventing secondary collisions: After a collision, the occupant may experience intense shaking or rolling inside the vehicle and collide with the vehicle doors, windows, B-pillars, etc. The main airbag's deployment can provide some blocking and limiting effect, helping the occupant maintain a relatively stable position and reducing the risk of secondary injuries.
Cooperating with seat belts to enhance protection: The main airbag is designed as an auxiliary restraint system (SRS) and must be used in conjunction with seat belts to achieve optimal performance. Seat belts can fix the occupant in the correct position, ensuring that the airbag can accurately act on the body protection area; without seat belts, the occupant may be injured by the rapidly deployed airbag itself due to an abnormal posture.
Studies show that equipping and using main airbags can reduce the probability of head injuries for drivers by approximately 60% and chest injuries by approximately 50%.
When the "main airbag failure" or "safety airbag failure" light on the car dashboard lights up, it indicates that the vehicle's airbag system has detected an anomaly, but it does not mean that the airbag is necessarily damaged or失效. According to the latest maintenance data， over 80% of the failure lights up are caused by low-cost， easily manageable issues， and there is no need to immediately replace expensive airbag assemblies.
Main Fault Causes and Solutions
Lack of or poor contact of wiring plugs (the most common， accounting for over 60%)
Typical symptoms： The failure light often stays on after startup， and it has occurred recently after seat adjustment， adding a seat cushion， or vehicle repair of the steering wheel.
Self-check method： Check if the yellow safety airbag connection plug under the driver's seat is loose. Gently pull it out and reinsert it firmly， ensuring the latch is in place.
Low battery voltage or insufficient charge
Typical symptoms： The failure light briefly lights up after starting the vehicle after a long parking period (such as more than a week)， and it goes out after driving for 10-20 minutes.
Self-check method： Use a multimeter to measure the battery voltage. It should be between 12.3V-12.7V. If the voltage is below 11V， it is likely that the battery is aging or undercharged， causing the system to falsely report an issue.
Collision sensors shifted or faulty
Typical symptoms： The failure light is constantly on， and there is no collision history， and some models may also have power loss.
Self-check method： Recall if there was a severe bump or scrape to the front bumper. The sensors are usually located at the front or side of the vehicle frame and require professional equipment to read the fault code (such as B0011-B0028) to confirm.
Worn steering wheel spiral cable (spring)
Typical symptoms： The failure light is on， accompanied by a malfunctioning horn and no response from the steering wheel's multifunction buttons.
Reason： The steering wheel has been turned for a long time， causing fatigue and fracture of the internal spiral cable， a common problem for vehicles over 5-8 years old.
System software failure or accidental diagnostic mode
Typical symptoms： The failure light is on， with no other abnormalities， and it occurred recently after vehicle diagnosis or repair.
Solution method： Try disconnecting the negative battery terminal for 5-10 minutes， reconnecting it， and restarting the vehicle. Some models can exit the diagnostic mode by restarting the vehicle three times.
Important Reminder
Do not disassemble the airbags by yourself: Safety airbags are highly sensitive passive safety devices. Non-professional operation may cause them to pop out accidentally, resulting in serious injuries.
Prioritize official channels: 4S stores or professional repair institutions have original factory diagnostic equipment, which can accurately read fault codes and avoid being trapped by "exaggerating faults and forcing replacements".
According to data from 2025, 65% of car owners have been recommended unnecessary high-priced items by repair shops.
Airbags have a service life: It is recommended to have the vehicle inspected every 120,000 kilometers. When the vehicle age exceeds 8-10 years, the airbag system should be inspected specifically, and replacement is necessary if required.
Summary: The light of the airbag fault indicator does not mean the airbag has failed. Try restarting the vehicle, checking the plugs, and confirming the battery status. If the light still does not go out, it is recommended to go to a regular repair point to read the fault codes, accurately locate the problem, and avoid wasting money.
If you want to know more, keep reading the other articles on this site!
Please call us if you need such products.
Zhuo Meng Shanghai Auto Co., Ltd. is committed to selling MG&MAXUS auto parts welcome to buy.
