To Expire or Not To Expire?

In the late 1990s, dual airbags became mandatory in new cars, including light vehicles, so there’s a good chance yours has at least 2 airbags.

You’ll be happy to know that the modern era airbag does not expire and is destined to last the lifetime of the vehicle.

Some of the original production airbags through the 70’s to 90’s may have an inspection or replacement period around every 10-15 years.

However, of the older vehicles that have undergone crash simulation testing, the airbags have operated correctly.

Some older vehicles originally came out with a replacement date, but since then the manufacturers have determined that those airbags will most likely function for the life of the vehicle.

The Early Days of Airbags

Car airbags are part of a vehicle's supplemental restraint system (SRS). They have been around since the 1970s and are now standard equipment on every vehicle. Since airbags were new technology then, a number of automakers erred on the side of caution when estimating their lifespan. The owner's manual on early-1990s Honda and Acura vehicles, for example, recommended a dealer inspection of airbags every 10 years.

"That inspection was simply a visual inspection and a confirmation that the self-diagnostic functions were working properly," says Chris Martin, spokesman for American Honda.

Mercedes-Benz, on the other hand, was a bit more conservative. The automaker installed airbag replacement labels on all vehicles sold in the U.S. through roughly 2002, says Diedra Wylie, a spokesperson for Mercedes-Benz. The labels called for new airbags at the 15-year mark. After 2002, Mercedes research concluded that the airbags it produced after January 1, 1992 would last the life of the vehicle, Wylie says.

"Advances in airbag module technology now ensure the lifelong, functional reliability of the airbags," says Wylie.

In pre-1992 Mercedes vehicles with airbags, the part needs to be replaced after 15 years. The vehicle's owner will have to foot the bill of roughly $2,000.

Q: I own a 2000 Lexus ES 300 with 19,000 miles on the odometer. The airbags have never been deployed. How long can I expect them to remain in good working condition? Lexus is willing to say only that the airbags are warrantied for six years or 70,000 miles.