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_3

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

Conor wrote: »

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

Hintza wrote: »

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_2

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_2

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

in2deep wrote: »

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_2

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_3

C_Ronaldo wrote: »

i wasnt going too fast maybe 30mph,

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