2022-2025 Lucid Air Clockspring: Airbag Lights & Control Failure Guide

What a Steering Column Clockspring Does in a Lucid Air

The steering column clockspring is a critical but often overlooked part in your 2022-2025 Lucid Air. Think of it as a special rotating extension cord that connects the car's main wiring harness to all the electronics on the steering wheel. This includes the most important safety device—the driver's airbag—as well as the horn, and all the multifunction controls for the radio, phone, and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). The clockspring contains a long, flat ribbon of wires coiled up inside a round plastic case. As you turn the steering wheel left or right, this ribbon either winds tighter or unwinds, never losing its connection. This allows for complex functions on a rotating wheel, which would otherwise be impossible.

Common Symptoms of a Failing Lucid Air Clockspring

When a clockspring begins to fail, the delicate wires inside its ribbon cable start to break from the repetitive stress of turning. This leads to a loss of electrical connection for one or more steering wheel functions. While some steering wheel button issues on the Lucid Air can be caused by software glitches that may be fixed with an over-the-air (OTA) update, a hardware failure in the clockspring will produce more consistent and often multiple symptoms.

• Airbag Warning Light: This is the most serious symptom. The car's Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) continuously checks the airbag circuit. If a wire in the clockspring breaks, the computer loses connection to the driver's airbag and immediately illuminates the airbag warning light on the dashboard. This means the driver's airbag will likely not deploy in a collision.
• Steering Wheel Controls Don't Work: Buttons for the audio system, cruise control, or phone may stop working entirely or only function intermittently. Often, one set of buttons will fail first as a single wire breaks.
• Horn Malfunctions: The horn may not work at all, or it might only work when the steering wheel is in a specific position.
• Clicking or Grinding Noises: A distinct rubbing, clicking, or grinding sound coming from the steering column when you turn the wheel is a sign of a physical break inside the clockspring housing. This is often the sound of the broken ribbon cable scraping against the plastic casing.
• Traction or Stability Control Light: The clockspring assembly often houses the Steering Angle Sensor (SAS), which tells the car's stability control system how the steering wheel is turned. A fault in this assembly can send bad data, triggering the traction control warning light.

Known Issues, Recalls, and Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs)

As of mid-2026, there are no specific NHTSA recalls or Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) issued for the steering column clockspring on the 2022-2025 Lucid Air. While numerous recalls exist for other issues on these vehicles, none pertain to the clockspring itself.

Some owners on forums have reported intermittent clicking noises from the steering column or airbag lights appearing on the dash. While these are classic symptoms of clockspring failure, they can also be related to other components or software. It is important to rule out software issues, which Lucid has addressed in the past with OTA updates, before assuming a hardware failure.

Buying a Used Clockspring for Your 2022-2025 Lucid Air

For a vehicle as new and technologically advanced as the Lucid Air, aftermarket options for a complex part like the clockspring are virtually non-existent. A used, original equipment (OEM) part from a reputable recycler is often the best value. Here’s what to check:

• Verify the Part Number: This is the most important step. Match the OEM part number on the replacement part exactly with your original one. Known part numbers include P11-NRA0ST-04 and P11-NRA0ST-05. Even a small difference can lead to incompatibility with the Air's sensitive electronics.
• Physical Inspection: Carefully inspect the used clockspring for any signs of damage. Look for cracks in the plastic housing, bent or broken connector pins, and ensure all wiring pigtails are intact.
• Check the Lock: A new or properly handled used clockspring will come centered and locked with a plastic tab. This prevents the internal ribbon from being over-rotated and damaged during shipping and installation. Do not buy a unit that spins freely.
• Ask About the Donor Vehicle: If possible, get the mileage and history of the vehicle the part came from. A part from a low-mileage, collision-free vehicle is always preferable. Avoid parts with any signs of water or fire damage.

Replacement Cost and Difficulty

Replacing the clockspring in a Lucid Air is a complex job that is not recommended for most DIY mechanics. The procedure involves handling an explosive airbag charge and requires a critical calibration step afterward.

The most critical part of the job is the calibration of the Steering Angle Sensor (SAS) after the new clockspring is installed. The SAS is integrated into the clockspring assembly and provides essential data to the DreamDrive ADAS, stability control, and ABS. This calibration must be performed with a professional diagnostic scan tool that can communicate with Lucid's vehicle systems to set the steering's "zero point." Failure to do so will result in warning lights and disabled safety systems.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)