history.com "Sep 1, 1998: Federal legislation makes airbags mandatory" "Sep 1, 1998: Federal legislation makes airbags mandatory" More info Air bags in cars all new cars beginning with the 1998 model year "Sep 1, 1998: Federal legislation makes airbags mandatory" "Sep 1, 1998: Federal legislation makes airbags mandatory" "Sep 1, 1998: Federal legislation makes airbags mandatory" "Sep 1, 1998: Federal legislation makes airbags mandatory" "Sep 1, 1998: Federal legislation makes airbags mandatory"