The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a consumer safety advisory to alert vehicle owners and repair professionals to the dangers of counterfeit air bags.
NHTSA has become aware of a problem involving the sale of counterfeit air bags for use as replacement parts in vehicles that have been involved in a crash. While these air bags look nearly identical to certified, original equipment parts— including bearing the insignia and branding of major automakers — NHTSA testing showed consistent malfunctioning ranging from non-deployment of the air bag to the expulsion of metal shrapnel during deployment. NHTSA is not aware of any deaths or injuries connected to counterfeit air bags.
While the full scope and scale of the problem of counterfeit air bags is uncertain from currently available data, 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. Only vehicles which have had an air bag replaced within the past three years by a repair shop that is not part of a new car dealership may be at risk.
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 contact the call center that has been established by their auto manufacturer to have their vehicle inspected at their own expense and their air bag replaced if necessary. The full list of call centers and additional information are available at www.SaferCar.gov.
CONSUMERS THAT MAY BE AT RISK AND SHOULD CONTACT THE CALL CENTER ESTABLISHED BY THEIR AUTO MANUFACTURER:
VEHICLES FOR WHICH COUNTERFEIT AIR BAGS MAY BE AVAILABLE:
As of today, NHTSA is aware of counterfeit air bags available for the following vehicle makes and models:
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, E6 |
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 |
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 | |
2004-2011 | 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 |