American drivers face a hidden danger: counterfeit air bags.
Recent Carfax data shows that nearly 2 million cars on US roads were in accidents with air bag deployments in the past two years.
This creates an opening for scammers to install fake replacements.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) warns these counterfeits can be deadly.
While the full scale of the problem is unclear, the numbers are concerning.
The agency said Wednesday that three people have been killed and two suffered severe injuries in the past nine months due to substandard, aftermarket air bag inflators. https://t.co/tVdthfApwS
— KFYR-TV (@KFYRTV) July 12, 2024
Texas leads with 206,000 at-risk vehicles, followed by Florida and North Carolina with over 100,000 each.
Michigan, Georgia, and Ohio also have high numbers.
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The danger is real.
Last year, the NHTSA reported five cases linked to fake air bags.
Three people died, and two suffered severe injuries. “In all five cases, the vehicles had been involved in a crash, and the air bags were replaced with defective, substandard inflators, most of which were confirmed to have been manufactured overseas,” the NHTSA stated.
These counterfeits can fail in various ways.
Some shoot out metal fragments, while others might not deploy at all. It’s a serious safety gamble for drivers.
For used car buyers, checking the vehicle’s history is crucial.
Counterfeit air bags have killed or seriously injured people in at least five incidents in the past year https://t.co/zmh5f4orSO https://t.co/zmh5f4orSO
— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) June 23, 2024
Ensure it has genuine air bag inflators. It’s a vital step in protecting yourself on the road.
While the NHTSA calls this issue “rare,” its potential impact is severe.
As consumers, staying informed is key to road safety.
The situation raises questions about supply chain security and consumer protection in the auto industry.
As repair costs rise and parts become scarcer, the temptation to cut corners grows. This trend could have far-reaching implications for insurers, manufacturers, and regulators.
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For now, the message is clear: when it comes to air bags, authenticity isn’t just about quality – it’s about survival.
