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Do airbags last the lifetime of a car?

We bought a new VW Eos in 2008. It has now done 58,000 km and has never been in an accident. Two weeks ago the airbag fault light came on and the dealer said we needed new airbag at a cost of $1630 plus $225 to fit it. I would have thought that airbags would last the life of the car unless the car has been in an accident. I have made contact with Volkswagen to see if they would help with the cost, but with other inquiries that I have made over the years they have been reluctant to help. Appreciate your thoughts.

You've done the right thing by contacting VW as they're the people who can help you. You're right, airbags should last the life of the car so to have to replace one is unusual. Ask the dealer to explain what is wrong with the airbag and why is needs to be replaced. If there is no satisfactory response from the dealer then press VW for some help towards the cost of replacing it.

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