COUNTERFEIT AIR BAGS

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 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 should contact the call center that has been established by their auto manufacturer to have their vehicle inspected at their own expense and their air bag replaced if necessary.

The full list of call centers and additional information are available at www.SaferCar.gov below.

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 AND SHOULD CONTACT THE CALL CENTER ESTABLISHED BY THEIR AUTO MANUFACTURER

• 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:


WHAT CONSUMERS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT COUNTERFEIT AIR BAGS

1. How can I tell if I have a counterfeit air bag?

YOU SHOULD NOT BE AT RISK IF:

• If you purchased your vehicle new and have not had your air bags replaced.
  
  
  
• If you who have full knowledge of the entire history of your 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.
  

YOU MAY BE AT RISK AND SHOULD CONTACT THE CALL CENTER ESTABLISHED BY YOUR AUTO MANUFACTURER IF:

• If you who replaced your air bags within the past three years at a repair shop that is not part of a new car dealership.
  
  
  
• If you purchased a used car that may have sustained an air bag deployment before your purchase.
  
  
  
• If you own a car with a title branded salvage, rebuilt, or reconstructed.
  
  
  
• If you purchased replacement air bags from eBay or other non-certified sources,especially if the airbags were purchased at unusually low prices, i.e. less than $400.
  

2. What should I do if I think I have a counterfeit air bag in my car?

If you have reason to believe that your vehicle is equipped with a counterfeit airbag, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration strongly urges you to contact the call center that has been established by your auto manufacturer or your local new car dealer to have your vehicle inspected at your own expense and your air bag replaced if necessary and visit www.SaferCar.gov for additional information.

3. Where do I find information for the call centers?

NHTSA has listed the phone numbers (Below) for the call centers that have been set up by the major auto manufacturers on www.SaferCar.gov. Consumers with vehicles that are not included in the list of manufacturers should contact their local new car dealer.

4. I purchased a used vehicle and do not know its full history. How can I determine if it has a counterfeit air bag?

Knowing the history of your used vehicle is an important step in making this determination. If you do not have full knowledge of your vehicle history you may want to get information using Carfax which can provide some helpful details or contact your local new car dealer to have your vehicle inspected at your own expense and your air bag replaced
if necessary.

5. 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 and visit www.SaferCar.gov for additional information.

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.

6. Where are the counterfeit air bags manufactured?

Based on what is known at this time, NHTSA and its partners have determined the counterfeit air bags were manufactured in Mainland China.

WHO TO CONTACT ABOUT COUNTERFEIT AIR BAGS

American Suzuki Motor Corporation • 1-800-934-0934

Acura Client Relations • 1-800-382-2238

Audi • 1-800-253-2834

BMW Group • 1-800-831-1117

Chrysler • 1-800-247-9753

Ford Motor Company • 1-800-392-3673 / 1-800-232-5952 (TDD)

General Motors • 1-866-237-3601

Honda Automobile Customer Service • 1-800-999-1009

Hyundai Motor America Consumer Affairs • 1-800-633-5151

Infiniti Consumer Affairs • 1-800-662-6200

Jaguar • 1-800-637-6837

Kia Consumer Assistance Center • 1-800-333-4542

Land Rover • 1-800-452-4827

Lexus • 1-800-255-3987

Mazda • 1-800-222-5500

Mercedes–Benz USA • 1-800-367-6372

Mitsubishi Motors • 1-888-648-7820

Nissan Consumer Affairs • 1-800-647-7261

Subaru of America, Inc. • 1-800-782-2783

Toyota • 1-800-331-4331

Volkswagen •1-800-822-8987

Volvo • 1-800-433-8236


RECOMMENDED DEALER GUIDANCE FOR MANAGING COUNTERFEIT AIR BAGS

DRIVER’S SIDE COUNTERFEIT AIR BAG INDICATORS

Counterfeit air bags are difficult to identify when installed in the vehicle. However, some visual clues that may indicate a counterfeit are:

For the air bag module still installed in the car:

• The texture of the vinyl material used for the counterfeit air bag trim cover is different from the OEM material.
  
  
  
• The color of the counterfeit air bag trim cover may be slightly different from the OEM parts.
  
  
  
• The vinyl trim cover may not have “tear seams” or slight depressions in the vinyl material that determines where the flap doors will open during deployment (typically an “H” pattern). The trim cover emblem is generally affixed to one flap of the trim cover door so it remains intact when the flaps open during deployment.
  
  
  
• The letters “SRS” (Supplemental Restraint System), which are embossed or molded into the vinyl trim cover are not well defined.
  
  
  
• There may be evidence that the counterfeit air bag installer shaved or trimmed the vinyl trim cover for better fit into the steering wheel housing.
  
  
  
• The SRS light does not illuminate during “key on” or otherwise does on as the manufacturer intended.
  

For after the driver’s side air bag module is removed from the steering wheel:

• The counterfeit air bag module labeling generally does not match OEM quality and quantity.
  
  
  
• There may be no serial number or, if present, the same serial number is repeated on different or multiple counterfeit bags. OEM serial numbers are unique to each air bag. (NHTSA will share known repeated serial numbers with the affected OEMs for distribution to dealers.)
  
  
  
• The inflator assembly is labeled with a diff erent OEM name than the air bag’s emblem or intended fi tment.
  
  
  
• The model number designa on on the label does not match the OEM part number for that model vehicle.
  
  
  
• Barcode labels are repeated on different or multiple counterfeit bag modules.
  
  
  
• Tool marks are visible on the fasteners and/or grind marks are visible on the air bag.
  
  
  
• Rivets appear to be ghtened by a hand tool and do not show a consistent ring pattern. OEM rivets are machine compressed and show a consistent ring pattern.
  
  
  
• The “warning” labeling normally found on an OEM air bag is missing.
  
  
  
• The colors of the inflator wire connectors do not match the OEM colors.
  
  
  
• Grounding terminals or “shorting bars” of the inflator wire connectors that prevent the air bag from deploying when disconnected from the vehicle system are missing.
  
  
  
• The backing plate of the counterfeit air bag has numerous holes drilled into it, which allows the counterfeit air bag to be installed into a wider range of vehicles.

NHTSA strongly advises technicians NOT to electrically probe counterfeit air bag connecting terminals because of the risk of detonation and possible serious injury.

The counterfeit air bag may have been rebuilt from a previously deployed air bag. Look for signs that the metal parts have been weakened by pyrotechnics, including burn marks or metals that have been stretched or expanded by the gases. The previously deployed air bag may have been removed from the module assembly and only the steering wheel trim cover has been replaced.

The supplemental restraint system fault detection system/warning lamp may have been deceived/deactivated using resistors or diodes. Dealers should obtain from manufacturers additional guidance for identifying genuine air bags in specific models, e.g., photographs of genuine air bags to compare with possible counterfeits.

© 2013 TLC Magazine Online, Inc.