I have a 1992 SSEi and I was wondering if it has side airbags or not. I read an advertisment in my Febuary 1992 Motor Trend that it came standard. Anyone know if this is true or not?
-driverjohn2005
-1992 Pontiac Bonneville SSEi-

It wouldn't side airbags. But the 92 Bonneville was the first GM car to offer both driver and passenger side airbags. The article was probably talking about the passenger side airbag.

Bingo. That'* what blew me away about mine. Dual airbags were extremely rare in 93, not to mention 92!

so your saying that it probably does have driver and passenger side airbags?
-driverjohn2005

It is all in how you interpret what you read. When it says "Driver and passenger side airbags" it is referring to the fact that both the driver'* side (in the steering wheel) and the front passenger'* side (in the dash) have frontal airbags. This does not mean side airbags as in protecting in a side impact. No domestic car had those in 1992.

Incidentally, I think one bad side-effect of passenger'*-side airbag deployment on the Bonneville is that the airbag cover flips up and breaks the windshield. (Not the steering wheel airbag, the one on the passenger'* side.)

I saw this on a Buick Park Avenue (I think it was) that broadsided a cab outside our office a while back, and seem to recall the Bonneville was the corporate twin with the same airbag assembly. If anyone has more specifics, please post...

I can tell you that is exactly what happens. I had an accident in my 94 SE and when the police officer came he asked if there was a passenger and I was like no why? He said it looks like there was a passenger and he hit his head on the windshield. I have pictures but no scanner. You could see what the windshield looks like afterwards. Believe me though the accident happened at highway speeds and I came out completely uninjured and I was glad my car had airbags. It was probably the main reason why the car was totaled out because of the cost of airbags, airbag modules, new windshield, new dash, and new covers. But your life is worth alot more that your car could ever be.