Counterfeit Airbags

When we purchase our cars, we assume that it comes with all the proper equipment and that it’s been inspected to meet state and federal requirements. Unfortunately, we are vulnerable in our assumptions. There are shady mechanics who fill in airbag spaces with junk, could be old sneakers after repairing an auto that’s been in an accident. There are countless stories of families, mothers, daughters, sons, and babies who have been killed in automobile accidents because there were no airbags in their cars. Air Bags made of shoddy materials are also being circulated around the globe and ending up in OUR cars. This is an underrated issue that needs NATIONAL attention. It affects everyone.

What can we do to protect ourselves and our families?

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends, “Consumers whose vehicles have been in a crash and had their airbags replaced by a repair shop that is not part of a new car dealership within the past three years or who have purchased a replacement air bag online should contact the call center that has been established by their auto manufacturer to have their vehicle inspected at their own expense and their airbag replaced if necessary. The full list of call centers and additional information are available at www.SaferCar.gov.”

CONSUMERS THAT SHOULD NOT BE AT RISK:

●     Consumers who purchased their vehicle new and have not had their airbags replaced

●     Consumers who have full knowledge of the entire history of their used vehicle (including knowing whether the vehicle had been in a crash in the last three years and being certain that the airbag was replaced at a new car dealership)

CONSUMERS THAT MAY BE AT RISK AND SHOULD CONTACT THE CALL CENTER ESTABLISHED BY THEIR AUTO MANUFACTURER:

●     Consumers who have had airbags replaced within the past three years at a repair shop that is not part of a new car dealership

●     Consumers who have purchased a used car that may have sustained an air bag deployment before their purchase

●     Consumers who own a car with a title branded salvage, rebuilt, or reconstructed

●     Consumers who have purchased replacement air bags from eBay or other non-certified sources—especially if they were purchased at unusually low prices (i.e. less than $400)

Source: http://www.nhtsa.gov/About+NHTSA/Press+Releases/2012/Safety+Advisory:+NHTSA+Alerting+Consumers+to+Dangers+of+Counterfeit+Air+Bags