Your Volkswagen has several advanced safety features that much older cars lacked. One of these features is the Airbag system. The airbag plays an important role in ensuring safety of a car’s occupants. However, this airbag could run into problems from different causes and the airbag malfunction light notifies the driver of these issues.
Many car owners ignore the airbag malfunction light and this could be risky. This guide explains the key functions of the airbag malfunction light and why ignoring it is a bad idea.
Functions of the Airbag and Causes of Failure
The airbag is an important car component that helps to ensure safety of occupants in the car during an accident. It is a part of the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) and it gets deployed during a crash or collision to minimize injuries in the car. However, like every other system in a car, the airbag system could get faulty and fail to deploy when needed, putting every occupant in a car at risk. The Airbag Malfunction sign is an immediate indicator of a fault in the Airbag system.
If your Volkswagen’s Airbag Malfunction Light comes on at any point, it is an indicator that your car’s airbag may not protect you should the need arise. Hence, you need to pay attention and find a solution immediately when this light comes on.
The common causes of Airbag system issues that may trigger the airbag malfunction light are:
- Faulty Crash Sensors: You may wonder how a car knows that it is time to deploy the airbags, this is what a crash sensor helps with. The crash sensors sense when a collision or a crash has happened and sends information to other components of the SRS for action. If these sensors are faulty, the Airbag system would definitely not work. Hence, a fault would trigger the Airbag Malfunction Light.
- Electrical Problems: Another reason why the Airbag malfunction light could come on is when there is an issue with electrical connections on your car. This could be as a result of faulty/loose wiring or corrosion in the system. The airbag system needs electrical power supply for effective communication between the sensors and other parts of the airbag system.
- Faulty Seatbelt: The seatbelts in your Volkswagen are a part of the SRS and they also help to keep you safe in case of a collision. The seatbelt pretensioners tighten the seatbelts and keep vehicle occupants from flying out of the vehicle should an accident happen. However, if there’s a fault in the seatbelt, it could trigger the Airbag malfunction light to come on as these two car components work hand-in-hand.
3 Reasons Why You Should Pay Attention to an Airbag Malfunction Light
1. Safety Concerns
The airbag malfunction light is a smart invention to warn you of a fault in the airbag system. As stated earlier, if the airbag malfunction light is on, it means the system has a problem and that could prevent the deployment of the airbags in case of an accident.
To ensure that you do not find out about the probability of the airbags deploying when there is an accident, ensure that you look into the matter as soon as possible.
2. Saves You on Repair Costs
Another advantage of paying close attention to your car and addressing an airbag malfunction light issue is that it helps you to save some money on expensive repairs. Most times, the airbag malfunction light comes on when there is minimal damage or a minor problem that you can easily handle, fixing the issue in time is easy. However, if you ignore the light, more damage can happen to the airbag system which would cost extra to fix.
3. Protects Car Value
No one wants to buy a car that puts them at a safety risk. Hence, if you are planning to sell your Volkswagen in the future, you should make sure that all its parts, including the airbag system, are in order.
If you, however, fail to address a major issue like a sign of an airbag issue in time, potential buyers may steer clear of your car as everyone needs to trust that the Airbag system can keep them safe in case of an accident.
Where to go in Escondido for a Volkswagen Airbag Malfunction Fix
Finding the best mechanic that offers exceptional 
repair and maintenance services is also a key part of ensuring safety for your car and also its passengers.
If your VW’s Airbag malfunction light comes on, then it means that there is an issue with the Airbag system that needs an immediate solution. In this case, we have the best option ready for you.
Escondido German Auto is one of the best Auto Repairs shops in Escondido, CA and we specialize in inspection, maintenance, and repair services for German vehicles. We also offer our services to car owners in Rancho Bernardo, and Valley Center.