Expert: Mike Potter - 5/6/2008

Question
I have a '99 nissan altima and i want to know what to do to replace the driver and passenger air bags and modules and sensors?

Answer
The driver side just bolts in from the back side of the steering wheel. The passenger side, you may have to replace the dash. Check to to see how much damage you've around the top pad, if you see buckles or any kind of imperfections, you can count on replacing the dash. If you have the car repaired in a certified shop, they have to replace the air bags, personally, if it were my car, I would not. There have been a lot of deaths and injuries resulting from premature airbag deployment. The news media and the car companies don't tell us about how dangerous they actually are. If you are fixing the car your self, do what you feel is right. Legally, you don't have to have them working if you do not want them to.