Every year, thousands of drivers unknowingly put their lives at risk by purchasing vehicles with counterfeit parts or substandard repairs. These hidden dangers can turn a seemingly good deal into a potential disaster.

Unseen Dangers: Counterfeit Parts

In recent warnings from NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), the dangers of counterfeit or substandard airbag inflators has come to light yet again. These counterfeit parts, sometimes sold as steering wheel airbags, complete with imitation OEM logos, can be as dangerous as the faulty recalled Takata airbags of 2015 that sent deadly shrapnel into the faces of accident victims. Unfortunately, the threat didn’t end there. As The Drive and MOTOR reports, counterfeit airbags have been linked to multiple recent fatalities, and their ongoing proliferation is an alarming trend that should concern every vehicle owner among us. Some estimates put the number of counterfeit airbags has hit or surpassed 250,000!

One particularly harrowing story involved a victim, 34-year-old Sarah Loughran, who unknowingly had a counterfeit airbag installed in her vehicle. When she was involved in a head-on collision, the airbag failed to deploy, leading to her tragic death on impact with the steering wheel. In the post-accident inspection, what was thought to be an airbag was revealed to be nothing more than a shop rag stuffed inside an airbag shell, and no actual airbag—essentially a ticking time bomb behind the steering wheel.

These counterfeit airbags are often made from a mix of used and unapproved parts, making them almost indistinguishable from genuine ones to the untrained eye. They can even be sold as “new” on platforms like eBay or Craigslist, where unsuspecting buyers might opt for the cheaper alternative, thinking they’re getting a good deal. The practice is not only dangerous but also profitable for counterfeiters, leading to tens of thousands of these fake parts being distributed across the country.

This issue is more than just a few bad actors; it’s a systemic problem that has prompted North American vehicle manufacturers to band together through the Automotive Anti-Counterfeiting Council (A2C2). This organization is actively working to combat the spread of counterfeit airbags and other automotive parts, pushing for stricter legislation and better enforcement to protect consumers. Despite these efforts, the problem persists, particularly in the online marketplace, where counterfeit parts can easily slip through the cracks.

Unsafe Repairs – An Alarming Trend

But it’s not just counterfeit airbags that pose a risk. Substandard repairs, particularly after a collision, can compromise your vehicle’s safety in ways that aren’t immediately visible. A CIC (Collision Industry Conference) study on post-repair inspections, reported on by Auto Body News, highlights how poor-quality body and frame repairs can result in long-term safety issues, from faulty frame or suspension alignments to improperly installed parts that may fail in the event of another accident. From my experience, it’s unfortunate, but I’ve observed key structural components installed incorrectly and safety sensors left unplugged. The fallout of poor repairs is often hours of the owner’s time wasted returning to the shop, or just living with the flaws and risks.

The Collision Industry Conference study found a staggering 90 percent of their recent post-repair inspections condemned the vehicles to total loss status. An absolutely shocking audit result! These hidden auto body repair flaws can be similar in risk to the airbags, where what seems like a minor issue can lead to severe injuries and even fatalities.

The Importance of Independent Inspections

Given the risks, the importance of an independent, thorough vehicle inspection cannot be overstated. These tragedies underscore the urgent need for rigorous vehicle inspections, and that many vehicle owners are unaware that their cars may harbor counterfeit airbags or other substandard parts. A fully independent inspection is one of the only ways to ensure that your vehicle is truly safe.

Unfortunately, not all independent repair shops follow the stringent standards necessary to guarantee your safety, and chances are, your local dealer’s body shop is not be certified by the OEM for collision repairs, as the majority are not. Many body shops have DRP (direct repair partnership) with the insurance companies, a large source of revenue for shops with them. These DRP agreements make it difficult for the shop to provide a full-throated advocacy on your behalf when the future of the DRP relationship could be at stake. As we saw in this $31.5M lawsuit stemming from major injuries linked to improper prior repairs, following OEM procedures strictly is very important, whether a DRP agreement exists, or not.

Additionally, Certified Pre-Owned vehicles can harbor substandard repairs or counterfeit parts and certainly low-budget used car lots can be highly suspicious. For example, this one was recently caught selling cars with fake airbags. Essentially, no used car is immune to the risks above and should be scrutinized before any purchase and after any repair.

An independent inspection, like those offered by Ryckman Appraisals, will assess every aspect of your vehicle’s condition, from the quality of any repairs to the authenticity of parts used. This level of scrutiny is crucial to ensure your car is truly roadworthy and safe for you and your loved ones.

What You Can Do

Your safety and that of your loved ones is priceless. Don’t leave it to chance with hidden dangers lurking beneath your car’s surface. Ensure your vehicle is truly roadworthy by investing in a comprehensive independent inspection with Ryckman Appraisals. Our experts will meticulously examine every aspect of your vehicle, from the authenticity of parts to the quality of repairs, giving you the confidence and peace of mind that every mile you drive is a safe one. Take action today—because when it comes to your safety, there’s no room for compromise.

For the DIY-ers among us, you can start your own search for free here at NHTSA’s recall search page to check for unrepaired recalls by entering your VIN number. They also offer free resources for researching your cars history, a key starting point for any investigation into prior repairs. Of course, we include these reports standard in all of our paid services.

Call us today to discuss your case or reserve your report below so we can get started. Trust Ryckman Appraisals to give you peace of mind with every mile you drive.

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