Counterfeit air bags spark safety concerns

A fatal car crash last June has raised alarms about counterfeit air bags after a young mother’s vehicle, which had one fake air bag installed in her car prior to her purchase from a used-car dealership, suffered a catastrophic failure upon impact.

The counterfeit air bag exploded violently, hurling metal and plastic debris throughout the car and causing fatal injuries. 

This incident is part of a concerning trend; at least five similar cases have been reported in the past year.

Authorities are intensifying efforts to combat the influx of illicit counterfeit air bags into the US market, often provided as replacement parts during post-crash vehicle repairs, emphasizing the critical need for heightened vigilance among consumers and car dealers.