Drove into a curb and airbag exploded

[C_Ronaldo]

I drove into a curb and my airbag has gone off in my car, anyone know how much it would cost to have it sorted and if i would have to take it to the dealer or would i be able to use an independant garage

[Conor]

I'd be more worried about the wheels, suspension and steering if you've hit a kerb so hard that the airbag has gone off.

[Hintza]

I'd be more worried about the wheels, suspension and steering if you've hit a kerb so hard that the airbag has gone off.


Good point; you want to check the wheel is still true and tyre is OK. At the very least you should have your alignment checked.

You haven't said which airbag and it will depend on what surrounding facia etc needs replacing could be expensive. A body shop might be better than the main dealer though.

[C_Ronaldo]

Good point; you want to check the wheel is still true and tyre is OK. At the very least you should have your alignment checked.

You haven't said which airbag and it will depend on what surrounding facia etc needs replacing could be expensive. A body shop might be better than the main dealer though.

Yes i forgot that bit, its the drivers airbag, i reckon i just clipped the bumper on the passenger side, when i had the car dropped off the recovery guy said to tell my ins co that it was an rta and to explain that i hit the kerb and id like to claim on ins as there could be other faults that have occurerd when i hit the kerb, ill make a claim on ins as the cost could be more than my excess

[in2deep]

This is very odd, airbags are not supposed to do that, the control unit should have prevented a slow speed discharge.

As mentioned it must have been some hit, you are going to need to have the suspension fully checked out.

As for parts you will need a new airbag and control unit it could easily set you back £500 in parts alone.
You may well need to goto a dealer to have the new control unit programmed.

BTW airbags should be replaced every ten years even if they have not been discharged.(you will find a date sticker in you car somewhere)

[C_Ronaldo]

I was going to do it on my insurance as my excess is only £250, yes im aware the suspension need to be checked as i cant tell what underlying damage ive done, the seat belts need to replaced anyway, i wasnt going too fast maybe 30mph, also anyone know what the gas they use in the airbag, surely its dangerous when you cant see what your doing with the smoke blocking your view

[in2deep]

Its a mixture of chemicals that produce nitrogen.

Its not dangerous,if your seeing the smoke its already to late to look where your going.!!!!:D

[C_Ronaldo]

Its a mixture of chemicals that produce nitrogen.

Its not dangerous,if your seeing the smoke its already to late to look where your going.!!!!:D

that would explain the rash i had on my arm

[in2deep]

Nitrogen is inert, your rash is probably from the rapid expansion of the airbag striking/slapping your arms, they have been known to brake wrists.

[cyclonebri1]

An intersting aside to this;

A total of 7 people have been killed in the states in the last few years when the airbag went off and they were pipe smoking:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

[Conor]

i wasnt going too fast maybe 30mph,

A 30MPH impact speed is enough to seriously damage the suspension.

[vikingaero]

i wasnt going too fast maybe 30mph, also anyone know what the gas they use in the airbag, surely its dangerous when you cant see what your doing with the smoke blocking your view

30 is plenty to activate an airbag. The knock on the curb was probably the right frequency to trigger the impact sensors. The smoke is a mixture of the gas and talcum powder which is used to "lubricate" the expanding airbag. OK at your speed the smoke was a hindrance but at higher speeds you'll be thankful that the bag inflated and probably saved you.

[vaio]

An intersting aside to this;

A total of 7 people have been killed in the states in the last few years when the airbag went off and they were pipe smoking:eek: :eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

It used to be the case that US airbags were bigger than UK ones because yanks tend not to wear seatbelts

[C_Ronaldo]

A 30MPH impact speed is enough to seriously damage the suspension.

i was just suprised it happened as im sure ive hit the kerb before and the airbag hasnt gone off

[cyclonebri1]

It used to be the case that US airbags were bigger than UK ones because yanks tend not to wear seatbelts


Certainly shows that smoking can seriously damage your health:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

[chris147]

I may have missed this but what sort of car is it?

I know that on Audi A2's the entire dashboard has to come off to replace an airbag so they are easily written off.

Other cars its a lot easier.

As other people have said though hitting a kerb at 30mph won't do suspension any good!

[cyclonebri1]

Not if it's the drivers airbag as that is all contained in the steering wheel. But in the case of the passenger side you're right, there's a blow out panel in the dash that means replacing the whole of the dash fasia in most cases:eek: