RONALD E. MOORE
University of Extrication Editor
Side-impact airbag supplemental restraint systems, known as SIPS bags, are available as an installed feature or as optional equipment on more than 90 different 1999-model year vehicles. In 1997 there were less than two dozen vehicles with SIPS bags. In 1998, there were almost 40. Emergency responders expect to find dual front bags.
It is evident by this list that we must anticipate side-impact airbags in not only seats and doors, but in roofline areas and even rear-seat passenger areas. Once again, the question is not, “I wonder if that car has airbags?” The question now is “Where are all the airbags this time?”
To assist in advancing your awareness of SIPS bags that you may encounter at vehicle fires or crash scenes, here is the A-to-Z list for 1999-model vehicles. SIPS bags are seat-mounted unless noted differently on this list.
SIPS-Bag List for
1999-Model Vehicles
- Acura 3.2Rl sedan
- Audi A-4
- Audi 1.8T Avant wagon
- Audi A-6
- Audi A-6 Avant wagon
- Audi A-8 SIPS bags front & rear
- BMW 3-series (entire series consisting of 10 different vehicle models; door-mounted)
- BMW 5-series SIPS bags front & rear (two vehicles; door-mounted)
- BMW 7 series (three vehicles) SIPS bags(door-mounted), HPS system (roof-mounted), optional rear SIPS (door-mounted)
- BMW Z-3 (optional; door-mounted)
- Cadillac DeVille (door-mounted)
- Cadillac DeVille Concours (door-mounted)
- Cadillac Seville (door-mounted)
- Chevy Prizm (optional)
- Chevy Venture minivan
- Ford Explorer (optional)
- Ford Windstar minivan
- Hyundai Sonata
- Infiniti G20
- Infiniti I30 (optional)
- Infiniti Q45
- Jaguar XJ
- Jaguar XJ-8
- Jaguar XJ-8L
- Jaguar Vanden Plas
- Jaguar XJ-R
- Kia Sportage (No SIPS bag, but don’t forget it’s the only vehicle with a driver’s knee bag)
- Lexus GS300
- Lexus GS400
- Lexus ES300
- Lexus LS400
- Lexus RX300 (SUV)
- Land Rover Discovery
- Lincoln Continental
- Lincoln LS6
- Lincoln LS8
- Lincoln Town Car
- Mercedes C-230 (door-mounted)
- Mercedes C-280 (door-mounted)
- Mercedes C-430 (door-mounted)
- Mercedes CL-500 (door-mounted)
- Mercedes CL-600 (door-mounted)
- Mercedes CLK (two-door coupe;
door-mounted)
- Mercedes E-300 (door-mounted)
- Mercedes E-320 (door-mounted)
- Mercedes E-320 wagon
(door-mounted)
- Mercedes E-320 (AWD; door-
mounted)
- Mercedes S-320 (door-mounted)
- Mercedes S-320 (stretch version; door-mounted)
- Mercedes S-420 (door-mounted)
- Mercedes S-500 (door-mounted)
- Mercedes S-500 Grand Edition
(door-mounted)
- Mercedes S-600 (door-mounted)
- Mercedes SL-500 (door-mounted)
- Mercedes SL-600 (door-mounted)
- Mercedes SLK-230 (two-door convertible; door-mounted)
- Mercedes ML-430 (four-door wagon; door-mounted)
- Mercedes ML-320 (SUV; door-
mounted)
- Mercury Cougar (optional)
- Mercury Mountaineer (optional)
- Mitsubishi Galant (optional)
- Oldsmobile Silhouette minivan
- Pontiac Montana minivan
- Porsche 911 Carrera
- Porsche 911 Boxster
- Range Rover
- Saab 9-3
- Saab 9-5
- Toyota Avalon
- Toyota Camry (optional)
- Toyota Camry Solara (optional)
- Toyota Celica
- Toyota Corolla (optional)
- Toyota Sienna minivan (optional)
- VW Cabrio (optional)
- VW Golf
- VW GTI
- VW Jetta
- VW New Beetle
- VW Passat
- Volvo S40
- Volvo V40
- Volvo S70
- Volvo V70
- Volvo V70 convertible
- Volvo S80 (front SIPS bags in seats, Volvo’s Inflatable Curtain in roofline for both front- and rear-seat outboard passengers)
NOTE: All 1999 Volvo automobiles now utilize electrical crash sensors to activate all front- and side-impact airbags. All previous Volvos (model year 1995-1998) used mechanical impact sensors.
