Oct. 10, 2012 - The Association of Global Automakers released a statement Wednesday urging consumers to make sure that only original equipment replacement airbags are used when having a vehicle repaired after a collision.
Also, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a consumer alert warning of the dangers of counterfeit airbags, which may have been installed in the last three years by someone other than an authorized dealer.
"Counterfeit replacement airbags are a serious safety problem," said Mike Stanton, Global Automakers president and CEO, in the press release.
NHTSA has placed information on its website www.safercar.gov to help consumers ascertain whether their vehicles are at risk. Consumers who have had their airbag replaced in the last three years by someone other than an authorized dealer, or do not know their vehicles' history, are strongly encouraged to contact NHTSA.
"We want to make sure vehicles on the road are as safe as possible," Stanton said. "That is why we are fully cooperating with NHTSA to help get this message out. While NHTSA thinks this is limited to a small number of vehicles, it is important that consumers verify that their vehicles have original equipment replacement airbags."
