The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a consumer warning involving the sale of counterfeit air bags that were used as replacement parts for vehicles involved in a crash. The fake air bags look like certified, original parts with automaker branding, but they may not inflate properly or could deploy pieces of metal shrapnel.
"Anytime equipment that is critical to protecting drivers and passengers fails to operate properly, it is a serious safety concern," said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood in a statement. "We want consumers to be immediately aware of this problem and to review our safety information to see if their vehicle could be in need of inspection."
While NHTSA says no deaths or injuries have occurred from these air bags, the agency wants consumers to contact their vehicle manufacturer if they have replaced their air bags at a repair shop (factory-backed car dealership repair shops not included) within the last three years; those who have purchased replacement bags online; or consumers who bought a used car that may been in an accident where the air bag deployed before their purchase. (See list of phone numbers.) Consumers will then need to take their vehicle in for inspection and replace the air bag at their own expense.
The agency is investigating the scope of the problem and has tested the fraudulent air bags (see video). Many of the counterfeit air bags come from China. Last winter, Chinese businessman Dai Zhensong pleaded guilty to importing counterfeit air bags. A separate trial is also pending in North Carolina after federal agents seized counterfeit air bags in August, according to the Detroit News.
Make Model years Model Acura 2009-2011 TSX Audi 2006-2009 A3, A4, A6, A8, Q5, Q7 BMW 2007-2009 X5, 5 Series 2008-2010 5 Series, 528i, 535i 2004-2007 5 Series, 525i, 530, 535, E60, E61 2007-2011 3 Series Not listed 3 Series 2007-2011 X5 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 CR-V 2007-2011 Fit 2009-2011 Pilot 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, 2010-2012 Mazda3 Mercedes 2009-2011 C, GLK 2010-2011 E350, E550 2006-2008 S550 2006-2009 ML 2009-2010 GL, ML Mitsubishi Not listed Outlander Nissan 1992-2002, 2010-2011 Quest 2009-2011 Cube 2007-2010 Versa 2009-2010 Murano Not listed Altima Subaru 2008-2009 Forester 2008-2009 Impreza 2008-2009 Outback 2010-2011 Legacy Suzuki 2007-2010 SX4 Toyota 2002-2006, 2012 Camry 2009-2011 Corolla, Matrix 2007-2011 Yaris 2004-2011 Highlander 2004-2011 Sienna 2004-2011 Tacoma 2010-2012 Prius 2003-2006, 2007-2011 Tundra 2003-2006 Sequoia 2003-2010 Land Cruiser 2004-2007, 2008-2010 Highlander 2004-2009 Solara 2005-2011 RAV4 Volkswagen 2006-2010 Jetta Volvo Not listed XC60, XC70 Not listed V70, S60, S80
If you are buying a used car, it's important to inspect the vehicle thoroughly by an independent mechanic to make sure it wasn't a rebuilt wreck. Our research shows that not all crashes make it to the vehicle history report and not all totaled cars are issued a salvage title. (See our report "Don't rely on used-car-history reports.")
If you've been in an accident and need to get your air bags replaced, make sure you go to the dealership or a reputable independent shop. As we've seen in this report, cutting corners on repair can literally blow up in your face.
