Expert: John Scharnhorst - 5/15/2007

Question
I own a '96 nissan altima and was recently involved in an accident where the airbags deployed.  The cost to replace them is more or less equivalent to the value of the car.  I can't afford to, and am not really concerned with getting new ones put in I just don't want to have them hanging out, what are my options.

Answer
My only advice to you would be to have the airbags replaced. The car was designed with the airbags and they are there for the safety of you and your passengers. You may look on Ebay or call some local salvage yards to see if you can find them used. If so, they will be much cheaper than new. As far as driving the car goes, you can take scissors or a razor knife and cut out the existing airbag, the entire unit needs to be replaced, so you're not going to hurt anything. I've had many customers do this in order to be able to drive their car to the shop for repairs.