I'm not sure I have air bags in the car. My wife had an accident last year. It was a rear door colision. The impact was serious enough to need a door replacement. Since I bought this car certified pre-owned, it's possible there are no airbags. When I asked the bodyshop guy why the bags didn't deploy, he said, "they only deploy when there is a front end collision." Why would side airbags deploy from a front end hit?
Does anyone know how to check for airbags without wrecking the car?

 

So did the sides deploy and not the front bags?

 

So did the sides deploy and not the front bags?

 

the car may only have front airbags. What maodel and year? Side airbags didn't come out until recently.

If you have side airbags or curtain airbags, look for the "SRS" insignia along the side of the seat or base of the seat.

steviej

 

It's a 99 es300. I'm pretty sure it comes with side airbags. I was told they were there when I bought the car. I want to know if anyone knows how to check if they are actually there.

 

The side air bag on the 99 ES is located on the side of the seat, left side for driver side and right side for passenger side( inside the seat). The sensor is located between the front door and the rear door. If you car got hit at the rear door, then the sensor may not detect the impact.
The easiest way is to raise the front seat all the way up and look for the yellow connector( side air bag connector). I'm sure it's there, because if not you air bag light will come on.

 

Thanks, I'll check it out. BTW the airbag light has been coming on. It comes and goes.