Every part of your vehicle could be counterfeited.
A counterfeit part could cause performance issues or, worse, even be fatal.
"Counterfeit parts are more than just a failure in quality: They are a direct risk to safety, where shortcuts in integrity can threaten lives," said Bob Stewart, president of the Automotive Anti-Counterfeiting Council, an alliance of nearly a dozen North American vehicle manufacturers.
The group indicated it's not possible to know how many vehicles on the road contain counterfeit parts. But the increasing circulation of these parts is a growing concern among federal officials and automakers.
The U.S. Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration issued a safety advisory notice in mid-January to the public, repair professionals and used car buyers and owners about the rise in counterfeit and substandard safety devices, such as air bags and other supplemental restraint system components. It indicated that counterfeit parts may contain unapproved explosive charges and construction material and "can cause serious injury or even death in a crash."
