Answers To Counterfeit Air Bag Questions
SEE ALSO:Air Bag Safety - Safercar.Gov
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What
is the problem with counterfeit air bags?
Upwards of
thousands of counterfeit air bags may have been installed in U.S. vehicles
in the last three years. These primarily are driver’s side front
modules. This number involves less than .1% of the vehicle fleet. But, in
the event of a collision, counterfeit bags may not perform as expected. In
some instances they will fail to deploy, in other instances their
deployment may harm vehicle occupants.
Which vehicles now
on the road have counterfeit air bags installed in them?
This is not an easy question to answer. There exists no
single VIN-based list of vehicles that have had air bags replaced, let
alone one indicating if genuine replacement parts were used. Attached
below is a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) list of
vehicles of greatest concern. Counterfeit bags typically appear very much
like genuine OEM parts and rarely trigger a trouble light or diagnostic
code and are hard to detect without a full physical inspection. Again, only
air bags that have been replaced in the last three years are of concern.
Consider the following:
1. Single owner vehicles where no air bag
has ever been replaced are not a concern. Vehicle air bags replaced with
genuine OEM replacement parts at a franchised dealership service department
or body shop also are not a concern.
2. Single owner vehicles where
an air bag was replaced at an independent repair facility could have a
counterfeit air bag. The repair facility, insurance company (if one was
involved), vehicle OEM, and/or air bag supplier may be able to help
determine if an installed part is a genuine OEM replacement. Vehicle
owners also may know whether a genuine OEM replacement part was not used,
whether a replacement bag was bought from an internet sales or on-line
auction company, or whether they paid “below market” price,
indicators that a bag could be counterfeit.
3. The air bag
replacement history of vehicles purchased used can be hard to determine. A
commercial vehicle history report may indicate if a vehicle was involved in
a crash involving an air bag deployment, however such reports cannot be
fully relied upon and typically do not show if a non-crash air bag
replacement has occurred. It is also possible for installed air bags to
exhibit certain outward physical signs suggesting that the module may be
counterfeit. For further information on such indicators, see NHTSA’s Guidance on Managing Counterfeit
Bags.
4. Vehicles with salvage, rebuild or
reconstructed histories are suspect and should be closely examined for
signs of a counterfeit air bag.
How should I respond to
inquiries regarding potential counterfeit bag
installations?
Direct them to NHTSA’s consumer
website www.safercar.gov/Air+Bags to
obtain the primary point-of-contact for the vehicle make and model. This
likely will be a phone number for the appropriate OEM call center. They
should have their VIN readily available along with as much information as
possible regarding known or suspected air bag replacements. OEM call
centers will help to determine whether genuine OEM replacement part(s) were
used. If uncertain, they likely will suggest that a physical inspection of
the suspected counterfeit air bag(s) be performed at a dealership service
or body department.
What if a vehicle comes in for an air
bag inspection?
Service advisors should be instructed to
inform customers of the diagnostic charges involved. Carefully follow any
OEM instructions on how to determine if an air bag is counterfeit. These
instructions will involve an outward inspection, possible diagnosis of the
passive occupant restraint system, and/or the removal and inspection of the
module in question. If a counterfeit air bag is discovered, inform the
customer of the cost to replace it with a genuine part and how long it will
take to obtain and install it.
What if a customer refuses
to have his vehicle restored with a genuine OEM part?
Instruct the customer that you cannot put the counterfeit
part back into the vehicle or give them the part. Have them sign an
acknowledgement indicating that they are refusing to pay to have the
vehicle restored and that they recognize that the vehicle will not offer
them the same protection as if it were restored. Do not attempt to hide
the fact that the vehicle is missing an operational air bag (e.g., putting
on a false cover and turning off the trouble light).
How can
I help protect myself against liability for working on vehicles with
counterfeit bags?
Contact your dealership attorney to
draft a document designed to serve as a notice, hold harmless, and
indemnification in the advent of a subsequent problem involving a vehicle
where a counterfeit air bag is removed and the customer refuses to pay to
have it restored. Note too that dealerships are under no legal obligation
to conduct either the diagnostic or repair work described
above.
Are there any special precautions technicians should
take when handling counterfeit air bags?
In addition to
the normal precautions that should be followed when handling air bags,
NHTSA strongly advises technicians not to electrically probe counterfeit
air bag connecting terminals because of the risk of detonation and possible
serious injury. NHTSA and the OEMs are expected to provide specific
guidance on air bag handling and disposal procedures. In addition, NHTSA
may request that they be notified if and when a counterfeit air bag is
discovered.
What steps, if any, should be taken with respect
to the purchasing and reselling of used vehicles?
Federal
law does not regulate the purchase or resale of used vehicles that may have
had counterfeit replacement air bags previously installed. For advice on
whether and to what extent obligations exist under state law, please
consult your dealership attorney.
How can we help stop the
use of counterfeit, stolen, salvaged, or rebuilt air
bags?
Always urge your customers to demand genuine
replacement parts for vehicle service and repair, especially where safety
is involved.
NHTSA CHART OF VEHICLES FOR WHICH COUNTERFEIT
AIR BAGS MAY BE AVAILABLE
NHTSA is aware of counterfeit air
bags available for the following vehicle makes and models:
Make |
Model Year(s) |
Model(s) |
Acura |
2009-2011 |
TSX |
Audi |
2006-2009 |
A3, A4, A6, A8, Q5, Q7 |
BMW |
2007-2011 |
X5, E70, E60, E61 |
2008-2010 |
5-series, 528i, 535i |
|
2004-2007 |
5-Series, 525i, 530, 535, E60, E61 |
|
2007-2011 |
E90, E91 |
|
Not listed |
E92, E93 |
|
2007-2011 |
X5, E70 |
|
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 |
CRV |
|
2007-2011 |
Fit |
|
2009-2011 |
Pilot |
|
2009-2011 |
Insight |
|
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 |
Mazda 3 |
2010-2012 |
Mazda 3 |
|
Mercedes |
2009-2011 |
C, GLK |
2010-2011 |
E350, E550 |
|
2007-2008 |
S550 |
|
2006-2009 |
ML |
|
2009-2010 |
GL, ML |
|
Mitsubishi |
Not listed |
Outlander |
Nissan |
1992-2002 |
Quest |
2010-2011 |
Quest |
|
2009-2011 |
Cube |
|
2007-2011 |
Versa |
|
2009-2010 |
Murano |
|
Not listed |
Altima |
|
Subaru |
2008-2009 |
Forester |
|
2008-2009 |
Imprezza |
|
2008-2009 |
Outback |
|
2010-2011 |
Legacy |
Suzuki |
2007-2010 |
SX4 |
Toyota |
2002-2006 |
Camry |
2012 |
Camry |
|
2009-2011 |
Corolla, Matrix |
|
2007-2011 |
Yaris |
|
2004-2011 |
Highlander |
|
2004-2011 |
Sienna |
|
2004-2011 |
Tacoma |
|
2010-2012 |
Prius |
|
2003-2006 |
Tundra |
|
2007-2011 |
Tundra |
|
2003-2006 |
Sequoia |
|
2003-2010 |
Land Cruiser |
|
2004-2007 |
Highlander |
|
2008-2010 |
Highlander |
|
2004-2009 |
4Runner |
|
2007-2009 |
Solara |
|
2005-2011 |
RAV4 |
|
Volkswagen |
2006-2010 |
Jetta |
Volvo |
Not listed |
XC60, XC70 |
Not listed |
V70, S60, S80 |