Dangerous Counterfeit Airbags a Growing Problem
» Print This Page- November 8, 2012
- Lemon Law / Car Problems
The government agency responsible for car and truck recalls (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) has recently issued a Safety Advisory warning consumers about the dangers of counterfeit airbags. To make matters worse, some of these dangerous airbags actually have the logos and insignia of major automakers to make them seem like genuine parts – even though they clearly are not.
Testing conducted by the government has demonstrated the dangers of these counterfeit airbags. Some will not deploy when you need them to, during an accident. Others will deploy, but without offering full protection to the driver. Still others will deploy, but will generate shrapnel and other dangerous projectiles in the car that could cause serious personal injury.
Generally speaking, consumers who may be at risk from these dangerous airbags include the following:
- Consumers who have purchased salvage or rebuilt vehicles.
- Consumers who have purchased vehicles whose airbags have been replaced within the past 3 years at a shop that is not part of a new car dealership.
- Consumers who bought a used car that was previously in an accident requiring replacement of the air bags.
- Consumers who purchased replacement airbags from sellers of unknown quality, such as via e-Bay or other online services. This is particularly true where the purchase price was relatively cheap.
If you fall within any of these categories, there are call centers who may help you identify places you can go to have your air bag checked out; however, there is a charge for this inspection.
The government has identified the following vehicles as those for which dangerous counterfeit air bags may be available:
| 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 |
