Since 1999, airbags have been an added standard safety feature. Specific federal laws (National Highway Transportation Safety Administration) state that every car manufactured after that date is required to have an airbag safety system that is factory-installed. Once a car has been sold, however, airbag legalities can get a bit murky as to when or how deployed airbag replacement is required.
Here are four points of view that fuel the controversy around airbag replacement:
Airbag replacement should be done with dealership installed, new OEM airbags.
Non-deployed genuine OEM used airbags that are not damaged are a safe
replacement option.
New aftermarket, counterfeit airbags can be used for airbag replacement in cars and trucks.
It’s not important to replace airbags that deployed in an accident.
Depending on which school of thought you fall into, LKQ Online Used Airbags (never deployed) may be a great cost-saving option for you.
Dealership replacement airbags
Auto dealerships are proponents of only new OEM, dealer-installed replacement airbags. But these new airbags are prohibitively expensive. Airbag costs alone are often what will cause an insurance company to total a vehicle rather than repair it. Dealerships shy away from using lower-cost, undeployed OEM used airbags that would reduce the number of insurance totaled vehicles as well as help consumers faced with non-insurance-covered claims.
Genuine, undeployed OEM used airbags
Are OEM used airbags safe for replacement airbags after an accident? In a word, yes. The Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) strongly advocates the reuse of undeployed OEM airbags as the only alternative to a new, expensive OEM airbag. Car owners can save up to 60 percent off the cost of new dealer airbags while enjoying the same OEM standards and safety. Airbags are designed to last the life of a vehicle, with no expiration date. Deployment ends the useful life of an airbag. The ARA supports studies that illustrate the safety of recycled, undeployed airbags for restoring vehicles to their pre-accident condition. In conjunction with that position, the ARA stresses that only qualified professional automotive recyclers who are qualified should be able to harvest and sell undeployed OEM airbags.
LKQ Online successfully sells hundreds of genuine, OEM used airbags to keep drivers safely on the road without breaking the bank. We adhere to the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) Hazardous Materials Regulations concerning handling and safe shipment and transportation of airbag modules. All our processes for handling and selling used airbags are geared toward our commitment to insuring high-quality used auto parts for all our customers. LKQ Online airbag protocols include:
· Training is required by all personnel handling airbags with refresher training every three years. At the completion of airbag training and of USDOT-E 12332 training (Hazardous Materials regulations), employees are tested on each module.
· Our auto parts professionals visually inspect each salvaged used airbag to ensure it is not damaged and that it meets our high-quality standards, otherwise it’s assigned to scrap.
· Airbags are stored indoors, protected from the weather. Moisture can be damaging.
· We certify that any used airbags we sell are genuine OEM (original equipment manufacturer) airbags and non-deployed, meaning they have never been expanded. Basically, they are “new” from used vehicles and the VIN of the donor vehicle will be on the receipt.
· We identify and categorize airbags by vehicle year, make, model, VIN number, and features, allowing us to provide you with an accurate fit.
· We stock a full range of used airbags, including steering wheel airbags, front passenger airbags, curtain/roof airbags, side airbags, and knee airbags for a variety of late model cars and trucks, including BMW, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Ford, Honda, Jaguar, KIA, Mercedes, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Porsche, Subaru, Toyota, Volvo, and more.
· Used airbags are not tested by LKQ to meet any safety standards but our automotive used airbags are 100% functional and not subject to recall.
· Used airbags are sold non-returnable and as-is with no warranty. The installer of the used airbag must test whether it will function properly and install it in accordance with the vehicle manufacturer’s specifications.
· All LKQ plants comply with the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) Hazardous Materials Regulations concerning the safe shipment and transportation of airbag modules, and our used airbags ship in accordance with Hazmat shipping requirements.
· USDOT-E 12332 defines special packaging for transportation/shipment of airbags and components within the U.S. and copies of LKQ Corporation’s DOT-SP 12332 Special Permit authorization and the current renewal letter are in each company vehicle that transports airbags as well as on file at shipping locations.
· Per New York state law that bars the installation of salvaged airbag systems, residents of New York cannot purchase used airbags from LKQ Online.
Aftermarket, counterfeit airbags
Counterfeit airbags are knockoffs of OEM dealer-installed airbags. They are made by other than the original manufacturer of the OEM part. Although they claim to be the same, the complexity of airbag systems makes it questionable to stray from either new OEM or genuine OEM used airbags for replacement. The low cost is what is especially attractive, but the dangers of malfunction and non-deployment are not worth the risk.
No replacement can be problematic
In light of all the ways non-functioning airbags can come back to bite you, not the least of which is the loss of safety, it’s best to make faulty or deployed airbag replacement a necessity. Here are some important considerations if no airbags seems a viable solution:
· It’s against federal law for a dealership or mechanic to disable or remove any part of a car’s safety system, including the airbags and the airbag indicator light.
·There’s no federal law against an individual disabling their own airbags but individual states have their own laws regarding functional airbags and street-legal cars.
· Whether or not your car can pass a safety inspection for registration renewal without working airbags will vary by state.
·Some states specifically check airbags during required inspections and will fail your car if its airbag indicator light is on.
· The cost and terms of insurance policies are based on a car’s safety features, so deployed or missing airbags could void coverage. And it’s illegal in most states to drive an uninsured car.
·When you sell your car, some states require you to tell the buyer about any issues with the airbags. Failure to do so could open you up to fraud charges.
Replacement airbags you can trust
With LKQ Online you can shop with confidence for non-deployed, genuine OEM used airbags to replace any deployed airbags in your car, truck, or SUV. Work with your auto insurer and mechanic to reduce costs for repairs and extend the life of your vehicle. With OEM used airbags your vehicle will be returned to factory-new status. LKQ Online can also help with any auto collision repairs including body parts like hoods and fenders, or radiators, headlights, and taillights to restore your car.