Does my airbag need replacing?

[ExigeEvan]

So, my car's 10 years old (well, registered '99, but belt labels say '98).

Now, I've read that airbags need to be replaced/reset after 10 years because seals corrode and the mechanism can deteriate. So I'm guessing it would be a good idea to get it changed as I quite like my face as it is, without a Nissan logo imprinted on what was once my nose.

I'm just wondering if anyone can from experience recomend anywhere (tough as few if any are from south Wales) or give me a ballpark figure on how much it should cost.

Oh and, after reading a previous (unrelated thread) from my search, I want NO discussion on whether airbags are more likely to kill me or not. I firmly believe they're the dog's bollocks.

 

[Pupik]

Toyota used to put labels on their cars stating that the airbags should be inspected after 10 years, but I think they relegated that warning to the owner's manual (instead of behind the sun visor) after a little while. They used gold-plated electrical connectors, since they were less prone to becoming corroded over the years.

But in my time, I've never had anyone mention that they wanted their airbags inspected, unless a warning light was on. It's not an easy inspection, and has to be done with some care. Also, panels and steering wheel pads do not go back together so nicely as a car gets older, so clips and detents might get damaged in the process when removing them, coupled with the warping effect a car's interior gets over time.

Basically, if there's no airbag warning light on, you do not have anything to worry about. If there's any fault in the circuit and/or harness of airbag wires, the light will stay on right after start-up. Airbags aren't cheap, anyhow. In short, most cars do a self-diagnosis when you turn the key, and if the light follows the procedure in the manual, you're going to be okay.

 

[Nicksfix]

According to Chrysler , when I bought my 300 , the airbags are supposed to last the life of the car.( however long that may be ?). They are a non maintenance item and should never go bad because of what pupik said They used gold-plated electrical connectors, since they were less prone to becoming corroded over the years.). On ocassion an airbag sensor my fault out , but other than that , you should not have any need to replace them. Hope this helps. 👍

 

[Keef]

Basically, if there's no airbag warning light on, you do not have anything to worry about. If there's any fault in the circuit and/or harness of airbag wires, the light will stay on right after start-up. Airbags aren't cheap, anyhow. In short, most cars do a self-diagnosis when you turn the key, and if the light follows the procedure in the manual, you're going to be okay.

Correct. Your car has a post-1996 OBD2 onboard diagnostics system which does a thorough check of everything electrical emissions and safety mechanism, from your doors to your 02 sensors to your airbag. Pupik is right; you basically have nothing to worry about unless that light stays on after you start your engine.

 

[Philly]

I'm just wondering if anyone can from experience recomend anywhere (tough as few if any are from south Wales) or give me a ballpark figure on how much it should cost.

If you absolutely feel that they should be at least inspected, I'd recommend going to a dealer. They built the car and should know it better than anyone else, even being 10 years old.

 

[1X83Z]

I'm just wondering if anyone can from experience recomend anywhere (tough as few if any are from south Wales) or give me a ballpark figure on how much it should cost.

Without knowing what nissan you have, it's a 98, more than the value of the car... UNLESS it's an R390 GT1

No need to replace the airbags - ideally you should, but ideally you should not be driving a 98 Nissan, but rather a Rolls Royce Phantom. However you get by just fine with a 98 Nissan just like your airbags will get by just fine too.

Best

 

[Eric.]

Without knowing what nissan you have, it's a 98, more than the value of the car... UNLESS it's an R390 GT1

No need to replace the airbags - ideally you should, but ideally you should not be driving a 98 Nissan, but rather a Rolls Royce Phantom.

 

[ExigeEvan]

Toyota used to put labels on their cars stating that the airbags should be inspected after 10 years, but I think they relegated that warning to the owner's manual (instead of behind the sun visor) after a little while. They used gold-plated electrical connectors, since they were less prone to becoming corroded over the years.

I'd read about getting it checked before, but it was only yesterday when I saw it on my visor I remembered my car was that old.

Basically, if there's no airbag warning light on, you do not have anything to worry about. If there's any fault in the circuit and/or harness of airbag wires, the light will stay on right after start-up. Airbags aren't cheap, anyhow. In short, most cars do a self-diagnosis when you turn the key, and if the light follows the procedure in the manual, you're going to be okay.

Airbag warning light is behaving as it should. Comes on briefly at start up and then goes off.

According to Chrysler , when I bought my 300 , the airbags are supposed to last the life of the car.( however long that may be ?). They are a non maintenance item and should never go bad because of what pupik said They used gold-plated electrical connectors, since they were less prone to becoming corroded over the years.). On ocassion an airbag sensor my fault out , but other than that , you should not have any need to replace them. Hope this helps. 👍

"Life of the Car" is a very loose term as cars aren't designed to last half as long as they used to. But, thanks for the advice 👍

If you absolutely feel that they should be at least inspected, I'd recommend going to a dealer. They built the car and should know it better than anyone else, even being 10 years old.

I would probably go to an independant Nissan specialist, there's one about 3 miles from my house. The dealer probably wouldn't even want to know, and hike the price up accordingly.

Without knowing what nissan you have, it's a 98, more than the value of the car... UNLESS it's an R390 GT1

No need to replace the airbags - ideally you should, but ideally you should not be driving a 98 Nissan, but rather a Rolls Royce Phantom. However you get by just fine with a 98 Nissan just like your airbags will get by just fine too.

Best

Aw damn I've been trying to keep it a secret but how'd you guess I had a R390?

 

[1X83Z]

aw damn i've been trying to keep it a secret but how'd you guess i had a r390?

 

[neanderthal]

Well, this guy can attest to the efficacy of a 20 year old airbag.