Removing and installing curtain airbag on driver and passenger side — VW

🧭 Before you start

Disconnect the battery and remove the dash end trim, A-pillar trims, bench seat, roof end strip, C-pillar and side trims, release the B-pillar trim, remove the sun visor and lower the headlining. Discharge yourself, unplug the airbag, release the five clips with O-ring pliers and remove the bolt. Fit in reverse, tightening the bolt to 4.5 Nm, then switch the ignition on and reconnect the battery with nobody in the car.

Fits: platform code 137

Don't miss

• Discharge static from yourself before unplugging the airbag connector.
• If any of the five clips is damaged, renew the curtain airbag.
• Tighten the bolt to 4.5 Nm.
• Protect the backrest covers with a foam cushion; do not push down on the centre mounting.
• Reconnect the battery with ignition on and nobody in the vehicle.

Written for this job from the workshop steps below · TorqFix editorial.

🔩 Torque settings

Values can differ between engine variants — check the code stamped on your block.

ℹ️ Always cross-check the exact figure against your vehicle's factory manual before final tightening — a wrong torque can damage the engine. These values are extracted from workshop data and may not cover every variant or revision.

📋 Procedure

1. ⚠ Observe the general safety regulations when working on airbag, belt tensioner and battery isolator units (pyrotechnic components) Observe the special instructions for curtain airbag modules . — Switch ignition on.
2. Disconnect vehicle battery Electrical system27Disconnecting and reconnecting battery.
3. Remove dash panel end trim .
4. Remove A-pillar centre trims
5. Remove upper A-pillar trims .

6. Remove bench seat .
7. ⚠ The backrest of the rear seat system must not be pushed down on the centre backrest mounting! To prevent damage to covers on backrest, place a foam cushion or similar between backrest mounting and backrest. — Remove side supports for luggage compartment cover
8. Remove roof end strip
9. Remove C-pillar trims
10. Remove side panel trim
11. Release B-pillar trim from retainers
12. Remove sun visor
13. Lower moulded headlining
14. ⚠ Electrostatic discharges may result in unintentional triggering of airbag. Therefore, the mechanic must electrostatically discharge him/herself before disconnecting the igniter and earth wires. This can be done by briefly touching the body or striker plate of the door. — Use a small screwdriver to prise connector locking device out of connector (1).
15. Pull connector from curtain airbag.
16. Position straight O-ring pliers in both openings of clip (2), press pliers together and carefully release clip from opening in body.
17. Release clips (3) from body, as described.
18. Release clips (4) from body, as described.
19. Release clips (5) from body, as described.
20. Release clips (6) from body, as described.
21. ⚠ If one of the five clips is damaged on removal, the curtain airbag must be renewed! — Unscrew bolt (7) (4.5 Nm). — 4.5 Nm (3.3 lb-ft)
22. Detach curtain airbag from mountings in vehicle body.
23. Install in reverse order of removal.
24. Switch ignition on.
25. ⚠ Ensure that nobody is in vehicle. — Reconnect vehicle battery Electrical system27Disconnecting and reconnecting battery.

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