Side/window Air Bag problems of the 2000 Volkswagen GTI

Air bag light has come on with no accident. The readings are three major intermittent issues. It seems this is an issue for many owners of this year and model. The vw dealership refuses to guarantee any of the fixes to the problem which can total in cost $1200 - $1500. I have been told by an employee at the dealership this has been a problem for many models around the same year. Why has this safety issue not been addressed? please help those of us who own these cars have this problem addressed since many of us cannot pass state inspections and this is unsafe.