SIU Today Fall 2020 - 17

Counterfeit airbags are fake airbags made to look like the genuine
original airbags. They bear the same emblem as authentic airbags;
however, counterfeit airbags are cheaper than the OEM (original
equipment manufacturer) airbags, as is true with most counterfeit
products. New airbag modules are expensive to purchase, typically
between $750 and $1,000, and a counterfeit airbag module may
only cost $100 to $400. These counterfeit products are typically
purchased from internet sites. The extreme discrepancy in price
should be a red flag to consumers.

"The NHTSA tests have led to
documented cases where counterfeit
airbags discharged metal debris
and emitted flames from an
ignitor during inflation."
Also, collision damaged vehicles are purchased from salvage
yards and repaired for re-sale. Some of these vehicles will
have deployed airbags when purchased. Once these collision
damaged vehicles are repaired, they make their way to the used
vehicle market. Some used vehicle retailers repair vehicles
properly, while others may engage in any means possible to
reduce repair cost. Obviously, counterfeit airbag modules have
reached the used car retail industry. Buyer beware.

ENDANGERING CONSUMERS
According to John Morton, director of U.S. Immigration
and Customs Enforcement, their organization seized 2,500
counterfeit airbags during 2012. Morton stated, "These airbags
don't work. They are not going to save you in an accident. They
are fraud and a danger from start to finish, and you don't want
them in your car period."
The NHTSA has tested counterfeit airbags as far back as 2012,
and they have found numerous problems that can range from
improper inflation to no inflation at all. The NHTSA tests have
led to documented cases where counterfeit airbags discharged
metal debris and emitted flames from an ignitor during
inflation. The testing performed by the NHTSA has proven that
counterfeit airbags are very dangerous and can lead to injury.
Therefore, consumers need to be aware of the potential hazards
associated with counterfeit airbags. If a counterfeit airbag is
discovered in a vehicle, it should be removed to protect the
operators and passengers.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE A COUNTERFEIT
AIRBAG?
Unfortunately, the consumer will not be able to determine if an
airbag in a vehicle is a counterfeit airbag or an authentic one.
Counterfeit airbags and OEM airbags are almost identical in

exterior appearance and physical dimensions. If the consumer
suspects that they may have a counterfeit airbag in their vehicle,
they should consult the NHTSA website safecar.gov. The
NHTSA has identified certain vehicles that are more at risk
and have published the list on their website. In addition, the
NHTSA has developed a list of call centers to assist consumers
who are concerned that a counterfeit airbag may have been
installed into their vehicle.

FORENSIC INVESTIGATIONS INVOLVING
AIRBAGS
FAKE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.
While the occurrence of counterfeit airbags is rare, forensic
experts also investigate other types of airbag cases. Typically,
they are asked to examine an airbag module that may have been
cut open and the airbag fabric pulled out. This type of case
is usually associated with staged collisions. The vehicle may
or may not have been in an actual collision, but by manually
pulling out the fabric from the airbag module, this gives the
appearance that a collision was more severe and caused the
airbag to deploy.
With fake airbag cases, the cut lines in the surface of these
airbag modules are obvious. The cuts in the plastic are very
clean as a result of using a very sharp tool or knife, and the
cuts generally wander off course during the extraction process.

NON-DEPLOYED AIRBAGS

Front airbag module was cut open and airbag pulled out.

Another common assignment for forensic experts is to examine
a non-deployed airbag. This can occur when a previously
deployed airbag module was resealed. Generally, the question
that will be presented to the expert is "Why did the airbag not
deploy?" While there are legitimate reasons for an airbag not
to deploy, evaluations may conclude foul play. The evaluations
may conclude that someone attempted to make it appear that
an airbag had not deployed. Rather than replacing an airbag
FALL 2020 | SIU TODAY

17
http://safecar.gov
SIU Today Fall 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of SIU Today Fall 2020
