Federal Agency Issues Warning on Substandard Aftermarket Airbags
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a consumer alert regarding substandard replacement airbag inflators that have killed three people and severely wounded two others.
In its alert, NHTSA explained that these defective parts were installed after the vehicle in which it was installed was involved in a crash, replacing the OEM part. The parts were manufactured by foreign companies and sold for an extremely cheap price. They were not installed by reputable repair technicians.
NHTSA advises those who own a used vehicle or are considering purchasing a used vehicle to take several actions, including:
- Bringing the vehicle to a reputable independent repair facility or dealership for an airbag inspection to determine if the airbag is genuine
- Doing business with reputable independent repairers and OEM dealerships
- Having a vehicle inspected by a trusted technician when considering a purchase from a private seller
- Purchasing with caution auto parts from abroad online
A person who identifies one of these faulty inflators installed in a vehicle should report it by contacting their local Homeland Security Investigations office or FBI field office.