SAN DIEGO, Oct. 11, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On October 10, 2012, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a warning to buyers of late model used cars regarding possible issues with counterfeit, non-compliant replacement air bags being installed in vehicles after an accident. instaVIN® Vehicle History and Title Reports, containing data from the Department of Justice's NMVTIS (National Motor Vehicle Title Information System) is the best source of reported previously salvaged vehicles on the market, so that consumers and dealers can better arm themselves with information. Here is an excerpt from the warning issued:
"The U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a consumer safety advisory to alert vehicle owners and repair professionals to the dangers of counterfeit air bags. NHTSA has become aware of a problem involving the sale of counterfeit air bags for use as replacement parts in vehicles that have been involved in a crash. While these air bags look nearly identical to certified, original equipment parts—including bearing the insignia and branding of major automakers — NHTSA testing showed consistent malfunctioning ranging from non-deployment of the air bag to the expulsion of metal shrapnel during deployment."
Full text and list of possible affected vehicles available here: http://www.safercar.gov/Vehicle+Shoppers/Air+Bags/Counterfeit+Air+Bags+General+Information
instaVIN reports provide junk yard, salvage auction and insurance total loss data and reports these events in real-time through NMVTIS, sometimes before being reported as branded titles such as "salvage title", "junk title" or "rebuilt title" by a state DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles). This gives potential buyers the first reported instance of a potential problem and alerts them to vehicles that might have dangerous counterfeit air bags. Dealers could also unknowingly market a vehicle with a problem airbag and open themselves up to later litigation.
instaVIN recommends that used car, truck, motorcycle, RV and classic car buyers and dealers check the vehicle and title history of vehicles before they buy, and get an instaVIN vehicle inspection.
Go to www.instaVIN.com for more information.
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