I think that starting around 1990 on most cars- the airbags do not have to be replaced, unless they deploy. 1990 was the year that many auto makers added airbags in their cars. I would say that 1990 was the #1 year that most manufacturers added airbags- with the new government requirement for automatic passive restraints. Some cars got the motorized or automatic door mounted seat belt, while many added a driverside airbag for the restraint.
I did not even know that Mercedes recommeded replacement of the actual airbag on the 80s Mercedes. I would guess that if they were replaced with the new bag, that it should never need replaced again, since the later (1990-2004 ?) cars do not require it. On some late 80s and early 90s cars, a service check of the airbag is required.
I know that on my 1990 Lexus LS400- it states in the owners manual and on the sunvisor, that the airbags system should be checked 10 years after date of manufacturer and 2-3 years every year thereafter. It does not mention anything about replacing the airbag. I inquired about this on the Lexus site and they said all the dealer does is check the airbag light and make sure all of the sensors look OK and there is really no need to have the system checked at all- unless the warning lamp stays illuminated. Even the Lexus dealer told me that.
I would say that your airbag is fine if the warning lamp is showing normal operation.
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Originally posted by DslBnz
That's interesting...
15 years is the official limit, but what happens after 15 years or so with all these newer cars? They have 8 airbags each, and now Mercedes upcoming 221 S-Class will have twice that amount. How many bags will have to be replaced in 15 years or so? That's just nuts!
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