Airbag Deployment: Options? Ramifications?

"Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo" (rustyvandura)
10/23/2017 at 16:15 • Filed to: None

My friend had a thump with his car that deployed the airbags. Is there any reason for him not to take some shears and just cut the old ones away? The car still drives; is he a salvage title now? What are the ramifications if the airbags have deployed?

DISCUSSION (16)

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
10/23/2017 at 16:19

Sometimes a poorly struck incident is all that’s needed to make the airbags kick out (if the sensor is crushed). On the other side of things, I’ve had a collision that resulted in worse front end damage but the airbags didn’t deploy.

Try to find replacement airbags. Fix the number. Have a good frame shop take a look and make sure there’s no structural damage. There’s no salvage title unless the vehicle was, well, salvaged.

Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
10/23/2017 at 16:24

If insurance finds out, it’s probably gonna get totalled. IIRC airbags cost at least a few grand each to replace at a legit shop.

Rico > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
10/23/2017 at 16:30

+1 Don’t report to insurance because it WILL be totalled based on the age and condition of the car already. Just replace the bags like Brian said and have a shop look at the frame.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
10/23/2017 at 16:32

I think it’s totalled just from that front end damage alone.

I don’t like the idea of not fixing it properly, because if he ever tries to sell it, he’s misrepresenting the safety of the car.

Textured Soy Protein > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
10/23/2017 at 16:33

Airbag deployment isn’t automatic salvage title. Totaling a car out and repairing it for resale gives it a salvage title. But with an old car that’s not worth much, having to replace airbags could lead to it being totaled.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/23/2017 at 16:42

I’m guessing he’ll just drive it.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Textured Soy Protein
10/23/2017 at 16:42

If there’s collision insurance on it. If not? Just drive as is?

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
10/23/2017 at 16:43

Fix the number?

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
10/23/2017 at 16:45

Any reason he can’t take some shears and cut the old bag out?

Textured Soy Protein > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
10/23/2017 at 17:03

I believe that even if the car isn’t covered by collision insurance, if it no longer has functioning airbags, the insurance company needs to be notified and rates may go up. If it were in a big crash with injuries and whatnot and it was obvious that the airbags were gone before the crash, that would be bad news.

It may also be difficult to renew the registration, or sell the car to someone else. I found this section of the California vehicle code:

The department may refuse registration or the renewal or transfer of registration of a vehicle in any of the following events:

...

(d) If the vehicle is mechanically unfit or unsafe to be operated or moved on the highways.

Whether having airbags is required to not be considered unfit/unsafe to be on the road, I’m not sure. Couldn’t find the details on how that determination is made.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
10/23/2017 at 18:07

*bumper. Fix the bumper.

Sure he can cut out the deployed airbags. But then...still doesn’t have airbags just in case he ever needs them.

Airbags (used) aren’t that expensive if you can find them. Ask around to salvage yards or post on CL. Just be aware that the car is worthless without repaired airbags, which is fine if that’s his intent.

TrustMeImAnEngineer, but I'd rather be an InternationalArtThief > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
10/23/2017 at 18:28

Hopefully with replaced airbags. If not, it’s not a smart move. At least do the passenger one so some one else isn’t unknowingly put in danger.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > TrustMeImAnEngineer, but I'd rather be an InternationalArtThief
10/23/2017 at 20:53

Agree 100%.

If it’s me, I just total the car. I assume it’s illegal to not have insurance in California like it is here in WA. If the payout it low - or zero - it’s time for a 1996 Camry Sedan for 1500.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
10/23/2017 at 21:47

If the airbags are replaced, it’ll likely be by yours truly.

I’ll tell him to take some shears to the existing bags, immediate term.

Thank you for the reply.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/23/2017 at 21:50

All good input; thank you. They came to me for advice and I said I’d put it out on social media — with people whose responses I can always bank on — and get back to her.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > TrustMeImAnEngineer, but I'd rather be an InternationalArtThief
10/23/2017 at 21:51

Excellent point.