[keakar]

Originally Posted by southern151

And, if that bag should fail to deploy in a subsequent collision, who would be liable?

Please don't pass that advice on to anyone ever again, as a matter of their safety. Rest assured that if what you said had ANY merit at all, insurance companies would have been trying to get us collision professionals to install used restraint systems for years!

To back up what I'm saying, here is Ford's position statement on used bags...

USE OF SALVAGED COLLISION PARTS AND AIR BAG SYSTEMS

DEARBORN, Mich., June 1, 2004 – Ford Motor Company is confident about the performance of air bag systems it designs and installs in its vehicles. However, Ford cannot be confident that air bag systems or components salvaged from other vehicles for re-use will perform properly.

Many factors may influence the integrity of salvaged air bag systems or components, such as weathering and removal techniques. In addition, air bag systems are designed for specific vehicles, with changes occurring even within specific vehicle models to accommodate technological advancements. It is possible for an air bag system or an individual air bag component to fit into an inappropriate vehicle, thereby jeopardizing the integrity of the air bag system.

For these reasons, Ford believes that only new air bag systems and components should be used to repair damaged vehicles.

Ford believes the interests of repairers and vehicle owners are best protected when new genuine Ford replacement air bag systems and components are used.

good point