NHTSA Alerting Consumers to Dangers of Counterfeit Air Bags

By The Car Girl

Often times when writing a blog post, the author may take a current event or news story and add their original thoughts and ideas. However, in light of the seriousness of my post this week,  I thought it best present the information exactly as it has been announced by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. 

"NHTSA has become aware of a problem involving the sale of counterfeit air bags for use as replacement parts in vehicles that have been involved in a crash. While these air bags look nearly identical to certified, original equipment parts—including bearing the insignia and branding of major automakers — NHTSA testing ¹ showed consistent malfunctioning ranging from non-deployment of the air bag to the expulsion of metal shrapnel during deployment. NHTSA is not aware of any deaths or injuries connected to counterfeit air bags.

While the full scope and scale of the problem of counterfeit air bags is uncertain from currently available data, NHTSA has identified certain vehicle makes and models for which these air bags may be available and believes this issue affects less than 0.1 percent of the U.S. vehicle fleet. Only vehicles which have had an air bag replaced within the past three years by a repair shop that is not part of a new car dealership may be at risk.

Consumers whose vehicles have been in a crash and had their air bags 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 are at risk of being affected and should have their vehicle inspected at their own expense and their air bag replaced if necessary. 

NHTSA is currently gathering information from automakers about their systems for verifying the authenticity of replacement parts and is working with the industry to make the driving public aware of the potential safety risk posed by counterfeit air bags. Moving forward, the agency will continue to monitor consumer complaints, police accident reports, and other sources for additional information.

CONSUMERS THAT SHOULD NOT BE AT RISK

• Consumers who purchased their vehicle new and have not had their air bags 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 air bag was replaced at a new car dealership)
  

CONSUMERS THAT MAY BE AT RISK 

• Consumers who have had air bags 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)
  

VEHICLES FOR WHICH COUNTERFEIT AIR BAGS MAY BE AVAILABLE:

As of today, NHTSA is aware of counterfeit air bags available for the following vehicle makes and models (please note that this list may be expanded as this is an active investigation):

Make	Model Year(s)	Model(s)
Acura	2009-2011	TSX
Audi	2006-2009	A3, A4, A6, A8, Q5, Q7
BMW	2007-2011	X5, E70, E60, E61
	2008-2010	5-series, 528i, 535i
	2004-2007	5-Series, 525i, 530, 535, E60, E61
	2007-2011	E90, E91
	Not listed	E92, E93
	2007-2011	X5, E70
	2004-2007	525i, 530, 535
	2011-2012	X3
Buick	2010-2011	Lacrosse
Chevrolet	2011-2012	Cruze
	2006-2010	Aveo
	2011-2012	Volt
	2012	Camaro
Ford	2012	Focus
	2005-2009	Mustang
Honda	2003-2012	Accord
	2006-2011	Civic
	2002-2011	CRV
	2007-2011	Fit
	2009-2011	Pilot
	2009-2011	Insight
	2009-2011	Crosstour
	2011	Odyssey
Hyundai	2007-2011	Elantra
	Not listed	Genesis
	Not listed	Sonata
Infiniti	2007-2011	G35, EX35
Kia	2010-2011	Soul/Forte
	2004-2009	Spectra
Land Rover	2012	Range Rover Evoque
Lexus	2006-2011	IS250, IS350, IS-F
	2003-2008	GX470
	2007-2009	RX350
	Not listed	ES350
Mazda	2004	Mazda 3
	2010-2012	Mazda 3
Mercedes	2009-2011	C, GLK
	2010-2011	E350, E550
	2007-2008	S550
	2006-2009	ML
	2009-2010	GL, ML
Mitsubishi	Not listed	Outlander
Nissan	1992-2002	Quest
	2010-2011	Quest
	2009-2011	Cube
	2007-2011	Versa
	2009-2010	Murano
	Not listed	Altima
Subaru	2008-2009	Forester
	2008-2009	Imprezza
	2008-2009	Outback
	2010-2011	Legacy
Suzuki	2007-2010	SX4
Toyota	2002-2006	Camry
	2012	Camry
	2009-2011	Corolla, Matrix
	2007-2011	Yaris
	2004-2011	Highlander
	2004-2011	Sienna
	2004-2011	Tacoma
	2010-2012	Prius
	2003-2006	Tundra
	2007-2011	Tundra
	2003-2006	Sequoia
	2003-2010	Land Cruiser
	2004-2007	Highlander
	2008-2010	Highlander
	2004-2009	4Runner
	2007-2009	Solara
	2005-2011	RAV4
Volkswagen	2006-2010	Jetta
Volvo	Not listed	XC60, XC70
	Not listed	V70, S60, S80

Who is responsible for the cost of replacing the air bag if it is counterfeit?

The responsibility for replacing a counterfeit air bag will vary depending on the circumstances around the original installation of the part. If you are concerned about your vehicle contact your local new car dealer to have your vehicle inspected at your own expense and your air bag replaced if necessary. According to the NHTSA, fees for the inspection can generally run $100 or more. 

In addition:

• If you are concerned and have an air bag that was replaced at a repair shop recommended by your insurance company we recommend that you contact your insurance company.
• If you purchased a counterfeit air bag from eBay it may be covered by that company’s “Buyer Protection” program. Contact eBay’s Customer Support center accessible on www.eBay.com.
• You may also wish to contact your local Consumer Protection Agency or the appropriate State Office of the Attorney General to determine your rights under the law; and the Better Business Bureau or the Federal Trade Commission to file a complaint.