The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration warned this month that counterfeit airbags are being sold and used as replacements in vehicles that have been involved in crashes.

The NHTSA works to ensure that motor vehicles and roadways are safe for motorists through education, training, research, testing, and dissemination of information to consumers. The NHTSA routinely issues advisories of consumer dangers regarding cars and roads.

The warning regarding airbags resulted from consumer complaints to the NHTSA and  subsequent testing.  Problems range from non-deployment to metal shrapnel being ejected from airbags upon deployment. The counterfeit airbags apparently look like genuine airbags and may even have the logo or insignia of a major automobile manufacturer.  Consumers may check the NHTSA website to see whether their vehicle is among the makes and models of vehicles found with counterfeit airbags so far. According to the NHTSA, you should contact the call center set up by your vehicle manufacturer if you:

• Have had airbags replaced within the past three years at a repair shop that is not part of a new car dealership.
• Have purchased a used car that may have sustained an air bag deployment before their purchase.
• Own a car with a title branded salvage, rebuilt, or reconstructed.
• Have purchased replacement airbags from eBay or other noncertified sources—especially at unusually low prices (i.e. less than $400).

Unfortunately, this is not an isolated case of defective parts on vehicles. In fact, defective parts are a common cause of car accidents across the nation. An airbag that deploys when it shouldn’t, for instance, could easily cause the driver to lose control and cause an accident. The manufacturer, supplier or retailer could ultimately be held accountable for any injuries that result.

Consult a New York and New Jersey Auto Accident and Defective Product Lawyer

If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a New York or New Jersey car accident involving a defective part, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.  Contact the New York/New Jersey car accident and product liability attorneys at Ginarte Gonzalez & Winograd to find out what legal options you may have. With six offices conveniently located in the New York / New Jersey metropolitan area, we have an office near you. For your free consultation, contact the firm today by calling 888-446-2783 or fill out our online contact form.