Increased scrutiny directed at airbag fraud, improper installations By James E. Guyette, News Correspondent It’s a potentially deadly problem that remains hidden until the need is greatest – faulty airbags. Your customers may be asking questions about the reliability of these systems as this issue receives more publicity, as it did recently during investigative reports on National Public Radio’s “Weekend Edition.”
A review by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of 1,446 fatal accidents from 2001 and 2006 found 255 instances – almost 18 percent – of missing airbags that had not been repaired following a previous wreck. READ MORE
Debate over salvage airbags continues
by Brian Albright, News Correspondent
The number of total loss vehicles has been rising for several years, and the collision repair industry has spent countless hours discussing the reasons for this trend and possible solutions.
Repairers often point to the high cost of replacing airbag modules as one reason the number of totals has increased. A new OEM airbag module can cost as much as $1,500 to $2,000, which can lead to otherwise repairable vehicles being totaled by an insurance company. If more than one airbag needs to be replaced, the cost is higher. READ MORE
Airbag analysis can be complex
How does a repairer know if the car they are repairing has an airbag that is armed and ready to work when needed?
The most common test is to turn on the ignition switch and watch the dash for the airbag light to flash.
In most cases, if a system has been tampered with or was improperly repaired, the light will not appear on the dash. Repairers also can use scan tools to read codes. READ MORE
Airbag Audio and Video ABRN examines airbag fraud, listen here
The high cost of improper airbag repair, listen here
In particular, he questions how old airbag systems can be and still be viable. We’re wondering the same thing and have been looking into this matter. Airbags have been in American vehicles for over 20 years. A lot of these cars are still on the road. If you happen to be an owner of one of these vehicles or see one of them roll into your shop, what should your expectations be? Are there any warnings or suggestions you should give to the owner? READ MORE
Airbag issues generate interest, feedback By Bruce Adams, News Editor One of the great things about electronic publishing is that it offers the opportunity for readers to react — not only to authors — but also with other readers.
Airbag Deception By ho3pp28y My opinion is that it is criminal, if the Air Bag Warning Light is bypassed or disabled in anyway. If any kind of dummy device is used that can plug in and turn off the Air Bag Warning Light, that is clearly fraud of a criminal neglegence category and should result in manslaughter charges if someone dies as a result. READ MORE
Customer not always right By Bob Bissler, Managing Editor We polled the readers of ABRN to find out if a customer has ever asked that a deployed airbag NOT be replaced after an accident. It’s a logical question given the current times, when everyone is trying to save money. What’s not very logical is that anyone would want to take such a chance with their safety (and their lives).
And while the laws differ from state to state, this issue is too serious for collision repairers not to take notice. It’s up to the repairer to accept the request – and to accept the liability.
Some of our respondents feel it’s not worth the risk: READ MORE
