Personal Injury Law

Concern Over Airbag Safety In Used Vehicles

By Wayne Parsons

Would it surprise that 1 out of every 25 previously damaged vehicles on the road have phony or dummy airbags? Victoria Cavaliere of New York News reports that the New York City Police Department (NYPD) recently discovered that there were mechanics rags inside the drivers-side airbag in the vehicle that a California woman had been driving for 2 years. NYPD

According to the report:

This problem poses huge safety risks for unsuspecting motorists who purchase used cars that have been repaired by unscrupulous auto shops that fail to replace used or damaged airbags.

According to an official at the NYPD auto crimes division, 75,000 air bags are stolen out of cars every year. Most of these are resold to body shops over the Internet, fetching between $2,500 and $3,000.

NYPD found that airbag problems include "stuffing the compartments with beer cans, rags, paper or packing peanuts". And some repair shops stuff a bad airbag back in or the air bag isn't replaced at all, leaving the compartment empty, Consumeraffairs.com reported.

To find out if your vehicle is affected take it or any car you are considering buying might buy, to a trusted mechanic to check out its safety components, including the airbag.

The NYPD and insurance companies are urging consumers to take extra precautions. For more information visit Carfax where your can check your VIN for crash history.

Full post as published by Honolulu Personal Injury Lawyer on November 13, 2008 (boomark / email).