Does anyone know when front side airbags first became available on 850s? I thought it was for the 95 model year, but i'm looking at a 94 on eBay which is claimed to have them.

If there are the letters "SPS" on the lower door frame then it has side air bags as standard equipment. They also could have swapped out seats from a newer car

Hello,

The "SIPS" system does not necessarily include side airbags. The SIPS system started in the 900 series cars (without the airbag) and was a strengthened side member designed to push the side impact into the floorpan, rather than the passenger compartment. The 1995 850 Turbo (only standard equipment on the 850 Turbo) was the first to use the SIPS airbag (the door sill will still say "SIPS", but the seat trim will also say "SIPS bag".

I hope this helps...

Joe S.

Volvo Master Technician - 1988 760 Turbo w/267k, 1981 242 Turbo w/243k

Thanks, Joe, very helpful information.

Just a slight refinement. '95 850 Turbo was the first production car to have side airbags standard, but they were also offered as an option on the rest of the '95 850 line (don't know about the 960), and were not available to my knowledge on the '94's My '93 960 had SIPS and definitely did not have side air bags.

My 95 850 GLT (non-turbo) definately has the side airbags. I've seen the activator when I removed the driver's seat to work on the seat heater.