Longevity of vehicle airnags

[Unregistered]

We have been pouring through the safety info on the iternet and your site has been the most helpful!

Here's another related question. Our '95 Windstar can have the engine rebuilt, which seems cheaper than buying another new vehicle (our new Sienna has been ordered).

We bought the '95 Windstar because, at the time, it was one of the first dual airbag vehicles around. But do these airbags get old and less effective? We hate to rebuild the engine if the airbags aren't going to protect us. What is the longevity of first generation vehicle airbags?

[Robert]

Manufactors pack the air bags knowing the bags may never be needed for several years. For your piece of mind I would contact the manufactor (not the dealer) for futher advice on how long they will last.

[CPSDarren]

Ford did extend the engine warranty on 1995 Windstars with the 3.8L engine to 7years/100k miles. In the event you are still within these limits, your engine may be covered. Even if you aren't, you might try to use the chronic head gasket problem issue to get partial reimbursement from Ford.

Another factor to consider is that airbag technology has improved over the years. Current airbag designs are generally considered to be improved over early designs.