Passenger airbag discontinued - help!

Airbag light stays on in my 02 SR5. Mechanic says the passenger airbag needs replaced but they literally don’t exist anymore - discontinued and no dealer anywhere has a new one in stock. Is my truck now worthless? Anyone run into this or have any advice here? I know used airbags are out there but I don’t think any mechanic wants the liability of installing a used one…. truck needs inspected and I’m in an impossible situation.

 

You have inspections that include airbags?

 

My airbag light has been on for the last 5+ years. Do you have an inspection because the truck is salvage and was just rebuilt?

 

Maybe I made a bad assumption here. I assumed for PA state inspection all of the safety features need to be in working condition. Maybe I’m wrong though. Reading through PENNDOT regulations online it refers to the seatbelts being checked but nothing on the airbags...

 

Pretty sure you should be ok. Worst case just show them an invoice for a purchase and install of used airbag. They will not check

 

Find a way to unplug bulb, remove bulb or fuse, break bulb or paint bulb black with nail polish. Then reconnect battery.

 

Have you checked for any open recalls? I know the Takata airbag inflator involved some 1st gens, so worth checking.

 

Bro, just don’t crash.

 

My airbag light has been on for two years. There was an open recall on the passenger airbag that I had completed last year, hoping that the stealer would clear the light when they performed the recall. No such luck (why do you think we call then stealers?)...They wanted $250 to run the scan! (Of course they'd already run the scan during the recall install. The service advisor took pity on me, and revealed the result to me on the QT). The Techstream diagnosis is "open squib circuit", aka the notorious spiral cable. I do want to get it fixed sooner or later. Here's why...

 

Honestly, I'd just install a used airbag. car-part.com could help you locate, assuming you didn't feel confident using fleaBay.

But take note of w666's post - it may not actually be the airbag, it could be the circuit. I'd still go to the Toyota Owner's site and create an account if you don't have one already. Add your truck's VIN there. Confirm if you have an open airbag recall for your truck, if you do, it may be time to reach out. If not, at least you'll be notified of future recalls, and you'll have access to all dealership service records for your truck.

 

I believe the airbag is usually custom to each vehicle since the steering wheel and dashboard (passenger) have to be the same and they also have a color matching cover.

 

That's typically the case. The cover usually blows apart when the bag is deployed.

 

Mechanic is incorrect, but they aren't cheap so make sure it's what you actually need. If you need the inflator that's a different part number that was likely superseded. I know 03-06 trucks were included in a recall but I'm not sure on 02.

Also if that's why it's failing a PA inspection try a different shop.

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