VW Airbag Light On: Understanding the Causes & Risks Involved

It is normal for the airbag light to flash briefly when you turn on the ignition of your Volkswagen. This is basically a part of the system check and is a completely normal occurrence. However, if the light remains on, it is a matter of some concern and usually signifies a fault in your vehicle’s SRS or Airbag system.

In this blog post, we have compiled a list of things that may contribute to the illumination of the airbag light in your Volkswagen. The post also highlights some of the effective solutions to this problem.

VW Airbag Recall – What Do We Know So Far?

Although Volkswagen is counted among the car brands that take passenger safety very seriously, the airbag system in some of its models recently released in the market was compromised. 416,000 and 143,000; this is the number of vehicles that Volkswagen recalled in 2015 and 2024 respectively- because of defects in the airbag system.

VW Airbag Light Stays On: Here’s A List of Possibilities

Possibility #1- Faulty wiring in weight sensor

The sole purpose of the weight sensor is to make it possible for the control module to determine if the seat is occupied or not. That’s it. Based on the input received from this sensor the control unit determines whether the respective airbag should be enabled or disabled. If the sensor malfunctions or the wire connecting this sensor with the rest of the SRS system goes bad, the onboard computer would have no choice but to activate the Airbag light.

Possibility #2- Defective clock spring

It is because of the clock spring that you get to turn the steering wheel without breaking the electrical connection to the airbag and other electrical accessories located on the steering wheel. If something goes wrong with the clock spring, not only will the airbag become inoperative, but other important electrical systems connected to the steering wheel will also stop working. This is something that will leave the onboard computer with no option but to activate the airbag light.

Possibility #3- Defective airbag module

The control module essentially gathers and analyzes data received from numerous sensors located at different parts of the car and decides whether to employ the airbags or not. If it gets wet, its ability to do the task it is entrusted with will be compromised. This is something that can render your Volkswagen's entire SRS system useless and activate the airbag light. In addition to being damaged by water, the airbag module may suffer electrical and mechanical damage.

Possibility #4- Faulty seat belt tensioner

This is yet another possible explanation as to why your Volkswagen's airbag light may stay illuminated. The seat belt pre-tensioner is an important part of your vehicle's SRS system. If it is to be put briefly, the sole purpose of a pre-tensioner is to make sure that the passenger is properly positioned on the seat and ready to deal with the airbag deployment. If there is something wrong with the pre-tensioner and the onboard computer senses it, it will activate the airbag light.

Possibility #5- Electrical issue

In order for your Volkswagen's supplemental restraint system to function, a continuous supply of electricity is required. There is a network of different electrical parts employed to take care of the electricity requirement of the SRS system. If for some reason one of these electrical components gives up or the battery dies, the airbag light will start flashing to alert the driver about the issue.

VW Airbag Light Stays On: What Are Your Options?

Supplemental Restraint System is a crucial safety mechanism that springs into action in the event of a collision to ensure your safety. So, if your Volkswagen’s Airbag light is flashing, don’t waste time contemplating the issue. Try to figure out where exactly the problem is and proceed accordingly. It would be wise to visit the nearest VW service center to get the problem evaluated by a trained professional.

In Closing

Flashing the airbag light is never a good sign… More often than not, it points to a flaw in the SRS system. Leaving such an issue unaddressed can land you in serious trouble. So, if your Volkswagen's airbag light is flashing, the first thing you should do is get it checked by a certified professional.

We at Landmark Motors INC. located in Bellevue, WA is Bellevue's leading European auto service center. We specialize in luxury auto services and repair and our service center is state-of-the-art, with the most recent tools and software.