DRIVERS have been cautioned about a seriously risky online auto trick that has resulted in deadly consequences.
Those who have purchased auto parts online could be facing a significant safety risk from a sick inflator scam.
The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that three individuals were killed and two sustained life-altering, disfiguring injuries as a result of the faulty airbag inflators.
Airbag inflators are supposed to contain a controlled explosive charge that prompts the airbags to inflate in the case of an auto accident.
However, in five unfortunate cases, the defective airbag inflators never triggered the explosive charge.
It was revealed that the substandard inflators were produced overseas, according to an NHTSA release.
Bob Stewart, president of the Automotive Anti-Counterfeiting Council, said counterfeit parts are a safety risk and can result in deadly consequences for drivers and passengers.
“The one thing you have to keep in mind with counterfeits, is the bad actors are opportunistic,” he said.
“…they will do whatever they can to continue to push their products.”
Stewart noted that most of the faulty parts are manufactured in parts of Asia, including China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.
He also pointed out that drivers who end up with the faulty parts are buying them online.
During COVID, drivers opted to purchase auto parts online to avoid visiting their dealership in person in order to limit physical interactions.
Stewart also realized that, in some cases, buying the counterfeit parts online was more affordable than buying the real ones.
Consumers, who have dealt with rising costs for years, purchased the faulty products without thinking twice about the price.
Multiple online marketplaces have advertised the faulty products.
Stewart said the council makes it a priority to communicate with large platforms like eBay and Meta, as well as smaller ones like Temu, to encourage policies against selling fake parts.
Counterfeit Airbags Scam
Drivers who purchased auto parts online could be facing serious safety consequences.
Defective airbag inflators that were manufactured overseas were installed in vehicles. The parts are mostly coming from parts of Asia, including China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.
These substandard parts are a significant safety risk for drivers and passengers. Airbag inflators are equipped with a controlled explosive that prompts the airbag to inflate, but the counterfeit parts lack this piece.
The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that three individuals were killed and two sustained life-altering, disfiguring injuries as a result of the faulty airbag inflators.
The group noted it’s unclear how many operating vehicles possess the faulty parts, but that it’s still important to raise awareness about the issue.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection has already confiscated over 211,000 counterfeit car parts in 2024, which is almost double the number of seized parts in 2023.
In January, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration issued a safety advisory notice to alert repair workers and used car buyers about the number of counterfeit and faulty safety devices being sold.
Consumers are urged to buy their auto parts directly from dealers and well-known car retailers to avoid ending up with faulty pieces.
Stewart encouraged drivers to track the source of the parts to confirm whether they were produced in the United States or overseas.
He gave the same advice to repair shop owners: research the supplier before buying products to ensure there aren’t any faulty ones.
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