Accident With or Without Air Bag Deployment - Component Inspections

Warning: Proper operation of the Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) sensing system requires that any repairs to the vehicle structure return the vehicle structure to the original production configuration. Not properly repairing the vehicle structure could cause non-deployment of the air bag(s) in a frontal collision or deployment of the air bag(s) for conditions less severe than intended.

After any collision, inspect the following components as indicated. If you detect any damage, replace the component. If you detect any damage to the mounting points or mounting hardware, repair the component or replace the hardware as needed.

• The steering column--Inspect the steering column for bending, twisting, buckling or any type of damage.
• The instrument panel knee bolsters and mounting points--Inspect the knee bolsters for bending, twisting, buckling, or any other type of damage
• The instrument panel brackets, braces, etc.--Inspect for bending, twisting, buckling, or any other type of damage.
• The seat belts--Perform the seat belt operational and functional checks. Refer to Repairs and Inspections Required After a Collision.
• The instrument panel cross car beam--Inspect for bending, twisting, buckling, or any other type of damage.
• The instrument panel mounting points and brackets--Inspect for bending, twisting, buckling, or any other type of damage.
• The seats and seat mounting points--Inspect for bending, twisting, buckling, or any other type of damage.
• The roof and headliner mounting points.

Accident With Frontal Air Bag Deployment - Component Replacement and Inspections

After a collision involving air bag deployment, replace the following components.

• Inflatable restraint passenger instrument panel air bag module
• Inflatable restraint steering wheel module
• Inflatable restraint sensing and diagnostic module (SDM)
• Inflatable restraint front end sensors
• Inflatable restraint left front/right front air bag module, if deployed
• Seat back cover on internal seat side air bag module, if deployed
• Inflatable restraint seat belt pretensioners

Perform additional inspections on the following components.

• Steering wheel module coil and the coil wiring pigtail--Inspect for melting, scorching, or other damage due to excessive heat.
• Mounting points or mounting hardware for the passenger instrument panel module, steering wheel module, SDM, side air bag module (if deployed) and seat belt pretensioners--Inspect for any damage and repair or replace each component as needed.