Are side and curtain airbags a combined package option that was available in every year? I've searched around and I'm unsure.

It seems that side airbags are not standard on any model but were an option on any year and any model. I think if you got that option you got both 1) side seat airbags and 2) side curtain airbags (and there was no option to just get one or the other).

And it would be easiest to identify that option by an SRS logo on the side of each seatback?

Does that sound right?

 

Yes

 

+1

 

I thought it was standard on early touring models.

 

Not on the '03's. I had a '03 Touring pre-order w/o the side and curtain bags. After our June '07 totalling, I got them on our '07.

 

I bought the 03 touring specifically because of the side & curtain airbags...Didn't realize it was an option.

 

At this point, I'm virtually positive that side airbags were never standard and are the only 'stand-alone option' available (everything else is in a package).

If you have them you will have an SRS logo on the side of the seatbacks. The sides of the seatbacks look slightly different as well. Non-airbag seats have a smooth side. Airbag seats have a bump on the side of them with the SRS logo (presumably that bump is the airbag or part of it).

Sellers (including Nissan dealers) never ever seem to list them in their used car write-ups even if the car has them. I've learned to look at the photos and look for the bump on the side of the seat.

While we're on the topic, the NHTSB gives the 350Z a 5 star side crash rating on tested Zs without the optional side airbag. You can check it out on safercar.gov. So side airbag cars should be even better (assuming the impact hits the middle of the door like the test environment). In my environment chances are it will be a truck or SUV that will hit much higher.

Here are two seller pictures, one with side airbags and one without. Notice the bump on the side of the seatback.