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

Google