The Plague of Counterfeit Airbags
Eui Seok Kang had every reason to believe his car’s air bag would protect him in a crash. Instead, it nearly destroyed his life.
When the aftermarket air bag deployed, the inflator exploded and sent metal fragments flying into Kang's face. He lost half of his lower jaw and most of his lower teeth. He underwent three surgeries, including treatment for an infection and extensive facial reconstruction. He needed dental implants, and skin was moved from the back of his neck to his chin to help him close his lips and speak properly.
Kang survived. But his story illustrates a disturbing problem that drivers may not even know exists: a replacement air bag can sometimes be more dangerous than the crash itself. Federal regulators are investigating potentially defective and counterfeit air bag inflators that have been linked to a number of deaths in the United States, along with serious injuries, as reported in a recent Wall Street Journal article.
But…How Can an Air Bag Hurt You?
Air bags are designed to inflate extremely quickly during a crash. The component that makes that happen is called an inflator. It uses a chemical reaction to produce the gas that fills the air bag. When an inflator works properly, it helps protect you. When it fails catastrophically, the inflator can rupture and send pieces of metal through the passenger compartment. These aren't minor injuries. Among those killed:
- A 17-year-old Utah girl driving a car she received as a birthday present
- A middle school English teacher in Oklahoma
- An Arizona man who suffered a fatal neck injury from a large metal fragment
- A 22-year-old Florida mother whose family was later awarded $603 million by a jury
The Problem May Be Hiding in a Used Car
So how could a dangerous air bag end up in someone’s vehicle? One reason is the way vehicles are repaired after crashes.
When a car’s air bags deploy, they have to be replaced. Used and salvaged parts are sometimes used to make repairs, particularly when someone is trying to keep the cost of repairing an older vehicle down. That can create a problem for the next owner.
If you buy a used car, you may know that it was previously involved in an accident, but you may not know exactly what replacement parts were installed. You may have no idea whether the air bag system contains an original manufacturer part, a legitimate aftermarket replacement or a counterfeit component. And that's what makes this issue particularly concerning for consumers: you can't necessarily tell whether your air bag is safe just by looking at your steering wheel.
Regulators Are Having Trouble Finding the Parts
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) believes some of the problematic inflators may have been manufactured by a Chinese company called Jilin Province Detainnuo Safety Technology, also known as DTN Airbag. The company has disputed that claim, saying it does not do business in the United States and suggesting that the part may be counterfeit.
NHTSA has banned the sale of air bag inflators with certain DTN part numbers and ordered manufacturers and importers to conduct recalls. But tracking down the potentially dangerous components is difficult. Unlike parts installed by automakers, counterfeit or substandard aftermarket parts may not have reliable records showing where they were manufactured, shipped or installed.
Regulators have also raised concerns that some components may have entered the country through shipments of unrelated products. As a result, NHTSA has acknowledged that it may not even know how many of these inflators are currently in vehicles in the United States.
What Should You Do If You Drive a Used Car?
This doesn't mean you should be afraid to drive your vehicle. Air bags save thousands of lives every year and remain an essential safety feature. But if you own a used vehicle, particularly one that has been in a previous crash, it is worth knowing what happened to its safety systems.
Consider these steps:
- Check for recalls. Use your vehicle identification number (VIN) to check for outstanding safety recalls through NHTSA or your vehicle manufacturer.
- Ask about the vehicle's history. If you're buying a used car, find out whether it has previously been in a collision and whether its air bags have ever deployed.
- Ask about replacement parts. If an air bag was replaced, find out what part was used and who performed the repair.
- Have concerns? Get it inspected. A qualified mechanic or automotive professional can help determine whether your vehicle's air bag system needs further investigation. Don't attempt to remove or inspect an air bag yourself.
What If a Defective Air Bag Injures You?
If you or someone you love has suffered a serious injury because an air bag or another vehicle component failed, determining what went wrong – and who may be responsible – can require a detailed investigation. Depending on the circumstances, potentially responsible parties could include manufacturers, distributors, sellers or others involved in the repair or installation of the part.
Understanding your rights is the first step toward getting justice. A top Philadelphia attorney for product liability cases can help determine whether a defective product played a role and whether you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Please contact us if you would like to set up a free consultation to discuss your case.