The SRS or airbag light in your car is something that you should take seriously. This light can mean that your airbag won't deploy, which can put you in serious danger if you're in an accident. Keep in mind that the airbag light may look similar to the passenger-side airbag indicator light. That light means that the front seat of your Subaru detects some weight, but it's not enough to enable the passenger airbag. Check the manual if you're unsure which light is illuminated on your dash.
At Capitol Subaru, we take pride in providing you with information on how best to care for your Subaru. Below, you'll find five possible reasons that the airbag light in your Subaru may have turned on.
4. It Could Be a Damaged Clock Spring
Most parts of the car have pretty self-explanatory names, but the clock spring is not one of them. It's a spring that's located between the steering wheel and the steering column, and it lets you turn the wheel without losing the electrical connection between the wheel and systems like the horn and the airbags. If the clock spring is damaged, the airbag may not deploy if you're in an accident.
3. The Seatbelts or Computer Could Be at Fault
The airbag light is also known as the SRS light, with SRS standing for supplemental restraint system. In addition to indicating a problem with the airbags, it could also mean that there's trouble with the seatbelts. Seatbelts in modern vehicles have a switch to make sure that driver and passengers are buckled in; if the switch isn't tripped, the SRS light will remain on. Even if everyone is buckled, the sensor itself could be having trouble. Whether it's a wiring failure or a foreign object in the seatbelt buckle, a switch that's not working is something that needs to be addressed.
2. Damaged Sensors Are a Possible Culprit
If your car has been in a minor accident where the airbags didn't deploy, it's still possible that the airbag sensors were triggered. This can keep the airbags from deploying in the event of a subsequent collision. Other issues could also cause the sensors not to work, including corrosion and electrical issues. Whatever the cause, t
1. Whatever the Cause, Avoid Driving
The introduction of airbags marked a sharp decrease in traffic fatalities. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that airbags have saved the lives of more than 50,000 people between 1987 and 2017. If you're in an accident, the airbags and other components of the supplemental restraint system can mean the difference between life and death. As such, driving without functioning airbags is not advised. If the airbag light in your Subaru turns on, have it towed to an authorized Subaru service center instead of driving it in yourself.
Capitol Subaru of Salem
920 Auto Group Ave NE
Salem, OR 97301
- Sales: 503-587-5500
- Service: 503-587-5500
- Parts: 503-587-5500
