NHTSA Warns Drivers About Dangers Of Recycled & Fake Airbags

Air bags are designed to protect you in the event of a crash, but if your vehicle is equipped with a counterfeit or recycled air bag, they may do more harm than good. Reports show that problematic air bags have been shown to consistently malfunction. Problems range from non-deployment to the expulsion of metal shrapnel during deployment. NHTSA has identified certain vehicle makes and models for which these air bags may be available and believes this issue affects less than 0.1 percent of the U.S. vehicle fleet.

Consumers whose vehicles have been in a crash and had their air bags replaced by a repair shop that is not part of a new car dealership within the past three years or who have purchased a replacement air bag online should have their vehicle inspected.