Drivers at risk of counterfeit airbags

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released a warning informing drivers that they may be at risk of a counterfeit air bags that will most likely not work.

Susan Hogan visited the set of the Rhode Show to tell us more about this alarming story.

"They've tested these airbags," Hogan said. "Some of them are not deploying when they're supposed to, or if they do metal shards of shrapnel is inside of these airbags and they are flying out at unbelievable alarming rates."

These counterfeit air bags are commonly overlooked in inspection because visually they look the same as legitimate brands. Repair shops buy these airbags unknowingly and put drivers at risk for injury.

"If you had your car in a crash or something in the last 3 years and have had your airbag replaced and you did not go to a new car dealership to have that done and you went to a repair shop, that's a big heads up," said Hogan.

People who may be at risk:

• If you purchased a used car that may have been in a crash where an airbag was deployed
• If you own a car with a title that says salvaged, rebuilt or reconstructed
• If you purchased replacement airbags from eBay or other non-certified sources, especially if they were purchased at unusually low prices

People who are not at risk:

• If you purchased a new car and have not had your airbags replaced
• If you know the complete history of your car and if your airbag has been deployed, have gone to a new car dealership to replace it

Examples of targeted cars for these counterfeit airbags are Acura's 2009-2011 TSX, Honda Accords 2003-2012 and Buick lacrosse 2010-2011. However these faulty airbags can be found in almost every make and model.

For a full list of cars at risk, and more information, you can read the full press release on the NHTSA website.