Airbag Fraud: What You Don’t Know CAN Hurt You (NAPSA)—It’s 7 a.m. Dreary skies with a light drizzle. You’re on your way to work when another motorist runs a stop sign. The vehicle appears in front of you milliseconds before the impact. As the shock dissipates, the first thing you notice is the airbag, inflated in front of you. Aside from minor cuts and bruises, you're okay. The airbag just helped saveyourlife. But whatif it didn’t inflate? Airbag fraud is a growing prob- lem that comes with potentially serious consequences. After an accident, the most unscrupulous of shops may steal your nondeployed airbag or not use a new one when needed, choosing instead to reseal the old cover to look new or installing a fake airbag coverin place of a real bag. Another problem involves the use of salvaged airbags when new, original equipment manufacturer (OEM)airbags were specified for the job. In any case, the shop charges your insurance company for a new OEM unit it never bought, leaving you with an empty cavity or a salvaged bag that might not work atall. “This is something we're really concerned with,” said George tell if it’s a good bag or not.” Ford Motor Companybelieves that only new OEM airbag systems and components should be used to repair damaged vehicles. “Salvaged airbags can come from a number of sources, but airbag systems are vehicle specific, and they work in conjunction with all the safety systems of that vehicle,” said Gilbert. “It’s possible to have a bag designed for one specific application fit different vehicles, but it may not function properly in those circumstances, if at all. And when it comes to safety, you don’t want to be sec- ond-guessing whether or not the bag is going to work.” Whether the airbag is missing ment airbags are typically a vir- tual match. They may also have a blank spot where a factory logo belongs. e Look for an airbag light when you start your vehicle. Most airbag-equipped vehicles go through a self-diagnostic test when the ignition is turned on, causing the airbaglight to glow or flash. If you don’t see this light when you start your vehicle orifit doesn’t go off after a few seconds, there could be a problem. Learn the history of your vehicle. Even if your airbag light functions properly, a problem could still exist. Look for previous Seattle highway. An investigation airbags, most dealer repair shops can run a thorough diagnostic nursing assistant was killed after she struck another vehicle on a found the driver-side airbag in her 1998 Toyota Corolla never deployed—because there wasn’t one. Instead, the original airbag cover had been carefully resealed without anythinginsideit. “This kind of tragedy should never happen,” said Gilbert. “We’re not just talking about a pany. “There are many factors Here are some tips to help ensure your vehicle has a fully age and weathering to how it was removed. There’s just no way to interior, whereas OEM replace- vehicle’s history report. If you bottom line here, we’re talking that can affect the integrity of a salvaged airbag, everything from Manyof them are a slightly different color from the surrounding or nonfunctional, the consequences can be deadly. On Valentine’s Day 2003, a 50-year-old Gilbert, crash parts merchandis- ing manager at Ford Motor Com- @ about people’s lives.” functioning airbag system: Fake airbag covers often have distinguishing features. accidents or flood damage in your have concerns about your test to determine their actual condition. Do NOT inspect the sys- tem yourself. Airbags are gener- ally very sensitive and should only be inspected by trained personnel. Make sureit’s fixed right. If you do have an airbag problem, take it to a dealer repair facility immediately and make sure any damaged items are replaced only with new OEM parts. Byfollowing these tips, you can help ensure your vehicle’s safety systems spring into action when you need them most.
