Passenger "Airbag Off"

If there is no passenger or excess weight (I forget the weight limit that turns the airbag on) in the passenger seat the Airbag Off light should remain lit.

 

This.
It is intended to defeat the air bag if a small child (or person) is in the passenger seat.
If it does not light when NOTHING is in the passenger seat, that in and of itself is not a problem.
Test with a child. Seems like I remember 40 pounds but that might not be right.

 

But it COULD mean the airbag is active with nothing on the seat.

 

Which is not right but if there really is nothing on the seat, it won't hurt anything.......even if there IS a crash.

 

Exactly. Assuming this the same Prius (2010) that the OP talks about in another thread. Accident big enough to set off the drivers airbag would total the car, passenger airbag or not.

 

But it should really be checked out in case there's a fault that prevents the airbag from actuating when a passenger is present. That's what I would do, anyway...

 

Absolutely.

 

See the Repair Manual re: calibrating the Occupant Classification System.

Start by making sure there isn't anything stashed in the car, behind or under the passenger seat maybe, that could be leaning or bearing against it. Has the seat been out for any reason?

-Chap