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 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.