National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials today warned
consumers about counterfeit airbags made at overseas manufacturers and
installed in cars throughout the U.S.
The counterfeit airbags have been found in more
than 75 different makes and models, both domestic and internationally-made
cars, and could affect thousands of individuals.
Earlier this year ICE arrested and convicted a
Chinese counterfeiter who was found with nine different brands of airbags. And
just this year have confiscated more than 2,500 fake airbags.
Consumers are at risk if:
•
They have had their car airbag replaced in the last
three years, at a repair shop not associated with a new car dealership;
•
Purchased a used car that may have had its original
airbag replaced;
•
Own a car titled branded salvage, rebuilt or
reconstructed;
•
Got a "too good to be true" deal for
airbag replacement; or
•
Purchased their airbag from eBay, Craigslist or
other non-certified outlet.
Because the faulty airbags are not the fault of car
manufacturers or dealers, this is not a mandatory recall and consumers must pay
out of pocket to replace the airbag.
"They look like the real thing and
unfortunately consumers are not in a position to figure out if they have a fake
or a real airbag and they certainly wouldn't be in a position to be able to
replace their own airbag," David Strickland, NHTSA administrator said.
Officials urge anyone who has suspicions about their airbags to take
their car to an expert for testing and replacement.
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