C5 X7 rear lateral airbags?

[the-termin8r]

The other day I found an old brochure for my X7 buried in one of my cupboards. I decided to skim through it and on one page it said that side airbags for the rear seats were an optional extra. I didn't even know the car could come with 9, I thought it only came with 7. Does anyone know how I'd check whether I have them (other than wrapping it around a tree at 50 mph)? Was this a common option that was selected on X7s that were sold? I don't know how accurate the picture they provided is, but it looks like they maybe come out of the door panel somewhere.

[Ross_K]

Parkers says the two rear airbags were optional too. It's probably one of those things that nobody every specced when buying the car

I'd imagine that, where fitted, they're integral to the seat rather than being installed in the door. There should be an 'Airbag' or 'SRS Airbag' sign/tag/loop to advertise the fact that they're fitted?

Or if you put up your VIN, I'm sure Marc will be able to tell you whether you have them or not

[the-termin8r]

Parkers says the two rear airbags were optional too. It's probably one of those things that nobody every specced when buying the car

I'd imagine that, where fitted, they're integral to the seat rather than being installed in the door. There should be an 'Airbag' or 'SRS Airbag' sign/tag/loop to advertise the fact that they're fitted?

Or if you put up your VIN, I'm sure Marc will be able to tell you whether you have them or not

I thought so too, but can't see anything. There's what appears to be a foam 'bolster' with a fabric skin on the ouside of the seats (mounted on the C-pillar). Perhaps that's the mount point and the foam is there like a blanking plate? This is the best photo I could find on google (it's too dark to take a good photo of mine).

[myglaren]

It should be on anything that has an airbag in it so nothing is put in front of it that could be turned into a missile or cudgel. Look at the ones you know have airbags in them.

[bobins]

Are you sitting comfortably ? Then I shall begin........

Driver's knee airbag - PSA / Stellantis

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Passenger airbag - PSA / Stellantis

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Rear lateral side airbags (side of rear seats) - PSA / Stellantis

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Rear lateral side airbags (detail) - PSA / Stellantis

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Roof lateral (curtain) airbag - PSA / Stellantis

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Front seat side airbags - PSA / Stellantis

[Ross_K]

Nice work bobins!

[the-termin8r]

Huh, so it was those things. Thanks for the reply. I wonder if it's possible to retrofit them without too much faff?

[GiveMeABreak]

Not really, as the wiring probably won't be there, then you have to have the correct airbag pyrotechnics as they have different gas volumes - 15 litres for row 2 (rear seat airbags) compared with 9 litres for the front seat airbags. Then there is the matter of needing the correct Airbag ECU control unit - which is different depending on fitted equipment and variant.

These were not standard and only an optional extra for the rear passenger seats shown at (8):

(6) Right side airbag (Curtain type)
(7) Left side airbag (Curtain type)
(8) Rear left side air bag (chest-type)
(9) Front left seat belt with pyrotechnic pretensioner
(10) Left-hand lateral acceleration sensor
(11) Front left side air bag (chest-type)
(12) Airbag ECU (Located under the central console)

[GiveMeABreak]

Understood. Shame they were optional. Also, didn't think it was so convoluted, figured it would just be an all-in-one module that you just plug in and bolt on, though I'd understand the loom potentially not being there. Thanks again for the help.

[Falka]

Just to chime in.

The wiring loom is 99% there. I did this retrofit a few times. You can find those lateral airbags o Allegro and ebay.
You need to tell the airbag ecu via diagbox and you are good to go.

[GiveMeABreak]

Just be aware that what you have in the vehicle will depend on the model, trim, build date and options. If it was one wiring harness and one ECU for every model they wouldn't have multiple part numbers for the various harnesses and Airbag ECUs.

[the-termin8r]

Marc, if I gave you my VIN would you be able to tell me if I have the airbags fitted or not or whether the loom is there?

[GiveMeABreak]

I can certainly tell you if you have them fitted or not. Pop your VIN up (please post your VIN in full without spaces - it will be automatically masked from public view after submitting your post & will only be visible to staff).

[the-termin8r]

Thanks. If it's not too much trouble, would you also please tell me if I have headlight washers? I don't think I do, but I just want to make sure I'm not blind.

VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]

[GiveMeABreak]

Ok, so..

1) No Headlamp Wash
2) No Rear Seat Airbags.

You have the front Driver & Passenger Airbags, the Driver's Knee Airbag, the Front seat side airbags plus the Roof Curtain Airbags that drop down to protect front and rear passengers from side impacts. You just don't have the rear seat side airbags - which no UK models did unless specifically ordered as an optional extra only available on exclusive trim levels (which is where I am coming from regarding the wiring looms).