What Is an Airbag-Compatible Seat Cover and Why Does It Matter?

Today, many cars have side airbags built into the door-side bolster of the front seats. In a collision, these airbags deploy from inside the seat by tearing through a special seam in the seat upholstery. When you fit a cover over the seat, there is now one more layer in front of the airbag. How that layer is stitched is an important safety detail.

Does your seat have a side airbag?

Seats with side airbags usually have a small label reading "AIRBAG" or "SRS AIRBAG" on the side bolster on the door side of the seat. If you are not sure, you can check the safety section of your vehicle's owner's manual. Knowing this when ordering a cover helps us prepare the right pattern.

What risk does the wrong cover pose?

An airbag is designed to deploy within milliseconds. If there is an overly strong seam or a thick layer of fabric in the wrong place in front of it, deployment can be delayed or deflected. This is not just theory; recalls reported to NHTSA, the US road safety agency, include examples related to this issue:

• In 2010, a cover manufacturer recalled its products because they had been sewn with thicker thread and were incompatible with seats with side airbags.
• In 2012, it was found that on some converted vehicles the covers had been fitted with the airbag label on the wrong side, in which case the cover would not allow the side airbag to deploy.
• In another recall in 2023, a manufacturing defect was reported to have made the seam stronger than the specification set for the side airbag.

Car manufacturers are cautious on this subject too. Lexus, for example, warns in a technical service bulletin that aftermarket covers may impair side airbag performance and recommends not using them. This warning shows that a seat cover should not be chosen at random.

How does an airbag-compatible cover work?

The basic idea of an airbag-compatible cover is that the cover offers no resistance in the area where the airbag will deploy. To achieve this:

• The side seam of the cover on the door side is sewn so that it opens easily under the pressure of the airbag.
• This seam line is positioned to align with the seat's own airbag seam.
• No extra padding, thick foam or rigid parts are added to the airbag area.

All of our seat covers are made on this principle, with side seams that open in the side airbag area.

What to watch for when fitting

Even a well-designed cover may not do its job if it is fitted incorrectly. When fitting, pay attention to the following:

• Make sure the airbag seam or label on the cover is on the door side, the same side as the seat's own airbag label. Do not mix up the right and left seat covers.
• The side panels should lie flat; there should be no bunching, folding or tension in the airbag area.
• Do not overtighten the fastening straps, and do not put an extra cushion or padding under the cover.
• If something does not look properly in place, fix it before you set off.

Why does a custom-made pattern make a difference?

For the airbag seam to work, it has to be in the right place. Because seat designs vary by make, model and year, it is easier to get this alignment right with a cover made on a vehicle-specific pattern. With universal covers, the cover is stretched to fit different seats, so the position of the seam can vary from car to car. That is why selecting your car by make and model using the vehicle selector helps determine the right pattern.

Frequently asked questions

Can I put an extra cushion or beaded cover on top of the seat cover?

On seats with side airbags, extra cushions, covers or thick back supports that cover the airbag area are not recommended. Even if the seat cover is airbag-compatible, every layer added on top can create a separate obstacle in front of the airbag.

Does washing the cover or taking it off and refitting it weaken the seam?

The airbag seam is designed to open under the sudden pressure of the airbag; it does not open in normal use with careful fitting. However, when removing and refitting the cover, loosening the straps and easing the side panel into place rather than pulling it hard protects both the seam and the fabric. If you notice any opening or unravelling in the seam, contact us before continuing to use the cover as it is.

Do the rear seats need airbag compatibility too?

That depends on your car. Some cars have side airbags in the rear seats as well, while many do not. Check whether there is an airbag label on the side bolsters of the rear seats; if you are not sure, consult the owner's manual.

A short note on flammability standards

For vehicle interior materials, FMVSS 302 in the US and ISO 3795 internationally measure how quickly a horizontally held sample burns when exposed to a small flame. In FMVSS 302 the limit is 102 millimetres per minute. These standards also cover seat cushions and backrests; however, according to NHTSA's own interpretations, there is no federal standard that applies directly to aftermarket seat covers. This means that responsibility for airbag compatibility lies largely with the manufacturer and with correct fitting.

Final word

A seat cover is an easy way to change the look of your car, but it should never get in the way of its safety equipment. If you are not sure where the airbags are in your car, or if you have a question about fitting, you can message us on WhatsApp. You can choose colours and materials at your leisure on the Design Your Own page.