How to understand if my airbag has been deployed?

[Rob175]

So how long will an UN-DEPLOYED airbag last?....do OLD airbags or their "propellant" pose any issues in a 23 year old car? I'm more worried that it might suddenly "go off" without warning while driving.......or is that impossible without an impact?

[Gilles]

Originally Posted by Rob175

So how long will an UN-DEPLOYED airbag last?....do OLD airbags or their "propellant" pose any issues in a 23 year old car? I'm more worried that it might suddenly "go off" without warning while driving.......or is that impossible without an impact?

my son old Volvo S60 (2002) got a warning message saying that the restraining system needed service and according to Volvo the airbags needed to be replaced as they were too old (almost 20..?) I am not sure if this would apply to all cars, but an airbag is an airbag

[maxnine11]

When the steering wheel airbag deploys it splits the vinyl or leather covering at designed relief in the material.
If the original cover of your airbag is intact, i would guess that the air bag has never been deployed.

Not great photos, but these should give you the idea.
Top picture is a four spoke wheel, lower photo is a three spoke wheel.