do we have standard side airbags? are those mounted on the seats? or on the A pillar?

Side airbags have been standard since 2005, including both Curtain and seat-mounted torso airbags. Assuming the 8th gen airbag system is similar to the 7th, there are also a good number of sensors in the seats that affect the performance and deployment of the front airbags.

:stupid: just kidding.

bok's right though. The airbag sensors like in the passenger seat will turn on and off the airbag. If something is blocking your side airbags, it will not deploy them in impact so as to not hurt the passengers in the car. There's a lot of airbag circuitry now. It's getting really complex and integrated.

dang it... i guess aftermarket seats are not really an option then.

i wonder if all of the sensors are acutally embedded in the seat. if they're just mounted under neath the seat couldnt we just transfer them over to the new seats?