Have we outlived our 3rd gen airbags?

[StreetCreeper]

While thinking about all the little things that need to be maintained or replaced on our trucks, i.e., ball joints, tie rod ends, etc,— it occured to me that these trucks are some of the earliest automobiles to get airbags (I know they were around commercially as early as the 70s, but it wasn't mandatory until the late 90s) and due to the awesome 4Runner longevity, these airbags are still on the road.

I really have to wonder if have we surpassed the likely useable lifespan of these airbags? Do they expire? Should we do some type of maintenance or replacement at some point?

We agonize over using OEM or aftermarket suspension or steering parts—yet completly overlook/ignore a primary safety device that we all count on to help save our asses in an accident.

I know "out of sight—out of mind" is where it's at when it comes to airbags, but for me—it finally just came to mind.

So anyone know what the deal is with our airbags?

 

[Mc1337sauce]

Toyota has a specified service interval for the airbags - it should be on a sticker on your sun visor. I'm not sure what the service entails - complete airbag replacement?

It seems that most people who wreck their third gens hard enough still have their airbags deploy, so I really don't know if it's something you have to worry about at this point. I'm certainly not too worried about it myself.

 

[StreetCreeper]

Toyota has a specified service interval for the airbags - it should be on a sticker on your sun visor. I'm not sure what the service entails - complete airbag replacement?

It seems that most people who wreck their third gens hard enough still have their airbags deploy, so I really don't know if it's something you have to worry about at this point. I'm certainly not too worried about it myself.

I'll have to look again, but the only thing I recall seeing on my driver side visor is the 4x4 engagement card. Perhaps it is on the passenger side—which I've never bothered to look at.

 

[Koko4]

That's a good question you bring up! The only time I needed an airbag it was practically useless. I "watched" the entire thing happen in slow-motion, and I could see the airbag deploy. I let my head fling forward because I figured "Oh, look, the airbag will catch me!" and the damn thing deflated before my head got to it - so I hit the steering wheel!

That was in a Ford, though.

 

[acr_ted]

I just checked the label on the visor and it says the airbags require maintenance after 10 years and then every 2 years after that.

According to the FSM, there are a couple of procedures to follow by checking for cracks, dis-coloration and also the use of a meter of some sort.

Somehow I've gotten to wonder about air bags - I am a shorter guy (5'9) and wear glasses and I sometimes thing about the air bag jamming my glasses into my face and maybe causing eye damage or something. And like Koko4 just said, in his case it didn't protect his head.

Ted

 

[StreetCreeper]

That's a good question you bring up! The only time I needed an airbag it was practically useless. I "watched" the entire thing happen in slow-motion, and I could see the airbag deploy. I let my head fling forward because I figured "Oh, look, the airbag will catch me!" and the damn thing deflated before my head got to it - so I hit the steering wheel!

That was in a Ford, though.

Thats kinda what I was thinking could happen...

I just checked the label on the visor and it says the airbags require maintenance after 10 years and then every 2 years after that.

According to the FSM, there are a couple of procedures to follow by checking for cracks, dis-coloration and also the use of a meter of some sort.

Somehow I've gotten to wonder about air bags - I am a shorter guy (5'9) and wear glasses and I sometimes thing about the air bag jamming my glasses into my face and maybe causing eye damage or something. And like Koko4 just said, in his case it didn't protect his head.

Ted

Oh joy, I doubt mine has ever been checked/seviced since it has never been back to the dealer since it was sold. My truck is a 1997 but was made in 96, so I think I can safely assume that in an accident, there is a decent chance the air bags won't deploy.

This doesn't change anything for me—I still love this damn truck, but it's good to know what to expect in the event of a collision.

I'll also assume that replacing the airbags would cost something outrageous...

 

[repo]

The airbag check is simply looking to see if the light is on, and checking there's no deformation on the airbag covers.

If the electrical connectors are bad the light would come on, otherwise it's just an explosive squib which should be reliable for many decades. The other thing would be the crash sensors, not sure exactly how they work but I believe they detect inertia somehow. I think the airbag electrics are mandated to be gold plated to avoid corrosion so should be good for a while. I guess maybe the bag itself could deteriorate though.

 

[jgue467]

Then again Takata - wouldn't want one of those New ones!

Everything You Need to Know About the Takata Air Bag Recall - Consumer Reports News

:cowboy:

 

[UnderFire]

I've wondered about this too, I started by wanting an aftermarket wheel, so I was seeing if it was legal to delete the airbag to use one (It isn't btw), and it got me thinking if I ever did get into an accident, there's no guarantee after what is at this point nearly 20 years that the airbags will even go off, I know the systems are not serviceable, and there's nothing much that I can do about it, so I just hope I never get into an accident, I don't want to wreck my 4Runner anyway.