Airbag light

[Lazarus Long]

My 97 Tahoe has the original airbag. The airbag light has been staying on intermittently when I start it. I am assuming it should be replaced. I guess they have a shelf life?

A couple questions:

Is the failure mode that it might not deploy in an accident? It won't go off for no reason?
Cost?
Are replacements even available?

The truck has been semi-retired, it is only used in the summer, is stored in the winter. I'm inclined to just ignore it.

[Logan Lanfear]

I doubt the airbag itself is bad.  Most likely the sensor in the front end.  Sometimes they get a little corrosion and decide not to work.  Start with that.  Or get the code scanned that would tell you more.