can a car seat go in the front seat

[Ronnie]

Generally, no, you should not put a car seat in the front seat. It is significantly safer to install all car seats—rear-facing, forward-facing, and boosters—in the back seat of the vehicle. The primary danger is the front passenger airbag. In a crash, this airbag deploys with tremendous force, which can cause severe or fatal injuries to a child in a car seat placed directly in its path. This recommendation is supported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

The only exception to this rule is if your vehicle does not have a back seat, such as in a pickup truck or a two-seater car. In this specific scenario, you must deactivate the front passenger airbag before installing a rear-facing car seat. For forward-facing seats, you may be able to place the child in the front if the vehicle allows you to disable the airbag and you can move the seat as far back as possible. However, the back seat remains the safest location by far.

The following table outlines the key safety rules based on car seat type and airbag status:

Car Seat Type	Front Seat with Active Airbag	Front Seat with Deactivated Airbag	Back Seat (Safest Option)
Rear-Facing	Never Allowed. Extreme risk of injury from airbag impact to the back of the car seat.	Permitted only if no back seat exists. Airbag must be off.	Strongly Recommended. The safest position for an infant or toddler.
Forward-Facing	Not Recommended. High risk of injury from airbag impact to the child's head and neck.	Permitted only if no back seat exists. Move vehicle seat fully back.	Strongly Recommended. The safest position for a young child.
Booster Seat	Not Recommended. The seat belt may not fit correctly, and the airbag is still a danger.	Not typically practical. Boosters require a functioning seat belt.	Strongly Recommended. Ensures proper seat belt fit across the child's body.

Always consult both your vehicle's owner's manual and your car seat's instruction manual for specific guidance related to your equipment. The safest practice is to consistently use the back seat for all children under 13 years old.

[VonRiley]

As a mom of two, I’d never risk it. That airbag is designed for adults and can be really dangerous for a little one, even in their car seat. The back seat is just so much safer—it’s farther away from a potential impact. It’s a simple habit to get into: back seat only, every single time. It gives you real peace of mind on the road.

[DelGrace]

Think of it from a safety engineering perspective. A front airbag deploys at over 200 mph. Placing a rear-facing car seat there positions your child’s head inches from that explosive force. The back seat provides a crucial buffer zone. My advice is to always follow the manuals—both for your car and the car seat—because they are written with these precise crash dynamics in mind. The rules exist for a very good reason.