Multiple federal agencies have joined forces to launch a campaign aimed at helping consumers identify and avoid fake and faulty auto parts, including counterfeit air bags, according to a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) press release. 

The campaign, “Put the Brakes on Fakes,” was launched by the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center) with support from HSI, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) the Automotive Anti-Counterfeiting Council, and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA). 

“The rise in counterfeit automotive parts and equipment continues to be an alarming upward trend,” said IPR Center Director Ivan Arvelo, in the release. “This campaign, which is not just an initiative or routine consumer safety alert, is a movement to save lives, prevent the use of counterfeit parts, and ensure consumers and auto repair professionals are informed about critical risks associated with counterfeit and substandard auto parts.”

IPR will share tips and resources with consumers through the campaign, such as a public service announcement video uploaded last week. The video warns consumers about purchasing auto vehicle parts online, including air bags. 

“Make sure that your mechanic is using genuine original equipment or aftermarket replacement parts,” the video says. 

The video follows NHTSA releasing an alert in July warning car buyers and owners about “cheap, substandard” replacement air bag inflators that can cause death or serious injury. 

“Dangerous, substandard aftermarket air bags can, and have, injured and killed people in otherwise survivable crashes,” said Sophie Shulman, NHTSA deputy administrator, in the recent HSI release. “If you own a used vehicle and are unfamiliar with its crash history, you could be at risk. NHTSA encourages everyone to learn about their vehicle’s history, and, if the vehicle has been in a crash, to arrange for an airbag inspection by a reputable mechanic. Taking this important step could save your life or that of someone you love.” 

The release says CBP has seized more than 211,000 counterfeit automotive parts in fiscal year 2024. It says this is double the automotive parts seized the previous year, including 10 times the number of counterfeit air bags. 

HSI also has about 40 open investigations into counterfeit parts, the release says. 

“CBP is working with its government and industry partners to keep hazardous counterfeit airbags out of supply chains and out of your vehicle,” said Brandon Lord, IPR Center deputy director and CBP’s Trade Policy and Programs directorate, in the release. “Consumers can stay safe by purchasing airbags from reputable retailers and repair shops. If a deal is too good to be true, it probably is, with potentially dangerous consequences.” 

The HSI release also mentions a whitepaper released by the Automotive Anti-Counterfeiting Council in 2020 that alerted consumers and automotive professionals to the risk of counterfeit parts making their way into repair. 

Examples of fraud are pointed out within the paper. For example, it describes an alleged counterfeiting operation that attached wheel center caps with unauthorized copies of automaker logos to aftermarket wheels. It then allegedly sold the finished products as genuine OEM originals.

Raids on Mercedes-Benz counterfeit parts increased by 20% in 2023, according to a Mercedes-Benz August press release. It says about 1.6 million counterfeit parts were seized and 142,000 offers of counterfeit products were deleted on social media and online platforms.

According to HSI, it and CBP seized about 20,000 shipments containing goods that violated intellectual property rights in 2023. This equated to 23 million counterfeit items and an estimated manufacturing price of $2.75 billion if the parts had been genuine. About 100,000 items from the shipments were counterfeit automotive goods with an MSRP of more than $10 million. 

The release said CBP is specifically watching for imports from China at U.S. ports of entry. 

The HSI press release says consumers who suspect they have purchased a counterfeit automotive part can consult with the OEM or reach out to a reputable mechanic for advice on identifying and replacing the part. 

To report suspected counterfeits, visit IPRCenter.gov or CBP’s online e-Allegations portal. More information about counterfeit goods is available on CBP’s Truth Behind Counterfeits website and StopFakes.gov.

Images

Feature photo is screenshot from the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center) Public Safety Announcement video/IPR Center.