While driving today, I began wondering about the life span of an airbag. I know Jaguar recommends replacing them after so many years, but of course new ones are not available. How long does an airbag last, how long is it effective, and how long before it becomes dangerous? I would hate to be in a minor accident only to be maimed (or worse) by a defective airbag.

 

All very good questions. I'm not sure you'll get any sure-thing answers, just speculation.

The bag is deployed by actuating a firing pin. There are no sensors, and it is not powered, it's purely mechanical.

Here's my speculation, I don't see why anything within the assembly would cause it to go off any differently today, than 20 years ago. Now eventually something may degrade to where the firing pin is no longer able to be actuated properly, so I would think at worst, you have a situation where the bag should go off, but doesn't. I can't see a way that age would cause the airbag to deploy with more sensitivity that originally designed.

 

We have two places in Denver (that I know of) that rebuild airbags and rebuild seat belts. I'm betting there is one in every major city.

 

Thanks Time-Pilot, I'll check that out. They would also know if there was any reason to have it rebuilt.

 

Definitely, the place I use specializes in safety equipment rebuilds for collision shops, but the have a walk-up counter too.