How long should an airbag last for?

jaydeeuk1

Took my IQ in for its MOT & Service at toyota and asked them to look at an airbag light that came on a couple of weeks ago. Its 5 years old to the day but has full toyota SH.

Diagnosed as a faulty passenger seat airbag and they want £450 to fix it. Unfortunately it was bought the year before Toyota introduced its 5 year warranty, however I wouldn't have thought an airbag be classed as wear and tear. I don't mind paying something like half towards it (it is out of warranty after all), and am prepared to argue my case (looking at buying a new yaris from them as soon as its sorted, will go elsewhere if I have to)

Am I best to speak to the dealer principal or go via head office? Or do I just chalk this one up to bad luck?

Tilt

I don't think an air bag is classed as a wear and tear item. It should last the lifetime of the car although they are only intended to go off once which is the only time they should need to be replaced.

The warning light could be just a faulty sensor and be able to be re-set. Are you sure the dealer aren't just coming it a little? If I was you, I would be talking to Toyota UK.

jaydeeuk1

Tilt wrote: »

I don't think an air bag is classed as a wear and tear item. It should last the lifetime of the car although they are only intended to go off once which is the only time they should need to be replaced.

The warning light could be just a faulty sensor and be able to be re-set. Are you sure the dealer aren't just coming it a little? If I was you, I would be talking to Toyota UK.

I asked if they could reset just to get through MOT and they said 'No, it will come back on straightaway'.

pogg000

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16293

jaydeeuk1

pogg000 wrote: »

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16293

Thanks but there is no way in hell I'm touching an airbag! I've seen one go off, its not nice. Plus I want to sell/trade it over next couple of weeks, wouldn't feel comfortable selling to a couple with a young kid like mine knowing the airbag light has been bypassed.

AdrianC

Odds on it being a fractured wire, probably under the seat. Does the passenger seat regularly get moved/tipped for rear access?

The wire COULD be repaired, but it's unlikely a main dealer would do that.

jaydeeuk1

AdrianC wrote: »

Odds on it being a fractured wire, probably under the seat. Does the passenger seat regularly get moved/tipped for rear access?

The wire COULD be repaired, but it's unlikely a main dealer would do that.

Yeah that seat is always being moved to get daughter in and out her car seat. When I go in today to collect I'm going to go straight to the car salesman I was speaking to yesterday (arranging a 24 hour test drive with a yaris this weekend - I'd definitely decided to go for one, just wanted to try a hybrid to see if it was better than the 1.33) and tell them the lads in servicing have cost him a sale.

IamNotAllowedToUseMyName

I think I would go along the lines of:

1) Has the problem been isolated to the airbag itself. If they have not isolated it and just guessed you could be spending silly money.

2) If the airbag has failed within 5 years, then I would expect the dealer to ask Toyota to make a contribution to repair, say 50% to cover a reasonable life of 10 years (though I would say that they should last even longer).

Your point on the resale is valid. You are buying Toyota as they are perceived as a quality brand (even though they have taken some knocks recently). If the dealer and Toyota are not prepared to back up the quality brand when there is an unexpected problem, then it makes you change your ideas about Toyota and want to look elsewhere.

Your other option is to seek out another Toyota dealer if that is feasible.

droopsnoot

I'd probably get a second opinion myself. My mothers car (a little Peugeot) had the airbag light come on recently, the local indy she uses for servicing reset the light and it hasn't come back on since.

jaydeeuk1

Well had it back and the light hasn't appeared yet. Told bloke at service desk i wasn't happy and what they can do about it. He said he'll speak to toyota but as its out of warranty its to be expected as manufacturing faults happen. I'll be contacting them too, doesn't seem that having full dealer service history counts for much.


The sales chap i spoke to previously wasn't there but i know he'll ring me this week to arrange a test drive which i shall postpone until ive had a satisfactory outcome from toyota. And if they don't i shall try a different brand, if i wanted to be left out to dry i'd have bought a mazda.


Cheers Toyota Derby.

tim9966

Not sure on other car makes but Ford advise the air bag should be replaced after 15 years, so for most cars that will mean the car gets scrapped before the air bag needs to be replaced.