Feb. 23, 2012—The New York State Auto Collision Technicians Association (NYSACTA) is calling on all New York insurers who specify the use of untested and unqualified aftermarket crash parts to implement a recall system warning consumers of potential safety issues.
Mike Orso, president of the NYSACTA, said New York law requires shops to note the status of part types used in repairs. But there is currently no recall system in place to warn consumers that their vehicle may be unsafe in the event of another crash.
The NYSACTA is asking for insurers to issue an immediate recall to consumers whose vehicles were repaired with untested aftermarket safety parts. The organization also said those vehicles should be permanently labeled to alert future owners and passengers that the vehicle has been modified and safety could be affected.
In addition, the NYSACTA said consumers who paid additional out-of-pocket costs for OEM parts during their repair, or higher premiums to qualify for the use of OEM parts, should demand a refund from their insurance carrier.
“I would think safety would be the most important element of any collision repair. Some insurers by their actions are putting their claimant or insured’s family in vehicles that are repaired with untested, at risk parts to save money,” Orso said. “No one should be re-engineering a car after a wreck as it puts the consumer and all highway users at risk. It creates undue legal liability on the repair shop.”
