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Consumer Advice about Air Bag Fraud

Anyone driving a car equipped with air bags gets into their car each day and gives no thought the air bags are actually tucked behind the steering wheel and dashboard. Did you ever imagine the air bag may not be there? National Public Radio ran a startling report on "How to Recognize and Avoid Air Bag Fraud". Apparently there is a market for air bags removed from cars before they are sold. There are scams involving auto repairs after an accident. If the airbag deployed and its replacement was included in the repairs, consumers must now be alert to the possibility the air bag was NOT reinstalled.

The report made recommendations for consumers including:

• 1. Obtain a report on any used vehicle purchased. If the car has evidence of any major repairs, a certified technician should verify the airbag is present. (Note, a dealer friend of mine points out many cars in heavy impact crashes never make it on the typical used vehicle report. Consumers may want to have the airbag verified on any used vehicle.)

• 2. The trim over the steering column should match in color the remaining interior trim. If it does not, it may be an indication the airbag was replaced. There are fake airbag covers. They may not have the vehicle logo.

• 3. Repairs involving airbags should be done by ASE certified mechanics. Beware of shops with significant consumer complaints with the Better Business Bureau.

• 4. Verify the airbag invoice as to the source of the replacement. It should be from a manufacture or dealer.

• 5. Ideally, you want to see the airbag packaging to verify it came from a reputable source.

• 6. Your dash should have a SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) indictor light which comes on when you turn on the ignition. If you didn't see it activated, there may be a problem with the operation of the airbag. Apparently, there are shops which can install a fake SRS indicator even with no airbag.

• 7. Do not try to open an airbag compartment. This could result in your injury or damage to an expensive airbag.

• 8. If you have any doubt, find a certified technician to inspect your vehicle's airbags.

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